Is Unproductive Retching an Emergency?

A dog who is trying to vomit but nothing is coming out is a major emergency. This is a telltale sign of GDV/bloat!

Most problems come with a combination of symptoms. Rarely will your dog exhibit a sole symptom or a sign. With some issues, it is important to consider them in context. Some, however, are reason enough to seek emergency care even if that’s the only thing you notice.

Is Unproductive Retching an Emergency?

Other symptoms of GDV

Other symptoms of bloat can include:

  • distended/bloated abdomen
  • pained/uncomfortable posture
  • pacing/restlessness
  • panting/difficult breathing
  • excessive salivation
  • rapid heartbeat
  • pale mucous membranes
  • collapse

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) is the mother of all emergencies. Every minute counts.

Immediate, aggressive treatment is the only thing that can save your dog’s life.

Why is GDV/bloat so dangerous?

In dogs, bloat goes beyond what we consider bloat in people. Yes, it involves an accumulation of gas, food or fluid in the stomach, causing it to expand. The stomach then puts pressure on other organs, restricting blood flow to the stomach lining, and the heart, and therefore to the rest of the body. This can cause hypovolemic shock.

If that wasn’t bad enough, sections of this trapped stomach wall can necrotize (the tissue dies). It can also cause blood clotting to go crazy with small blood clots developing throughout the entire bloodstream … When things get this far, the prognosis is extremely poor.

And just imagine the pain from all that.

Note: The video was taken at the emergency vet’s office while Flash’s x-rays (confirming GDV) were developing. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it, though.
 
The video was taken in hopes that even just 1 large-breed dog owner who is not familiar with the symptoms of bloat would watch this and be able to identify the symptoms and seek medical attention before it is too late.

Grueling picture?

If I painted a truly grueling picture, it was my intention. This is indeed the worst of emergencies. Know the signs of GDV/bloat and know that if you see them, time is wasting. Particularly if your dog is large, deep-chested breed.

Related articles:
Gastric Dilatation And Volvulus (GDV): What Did The Latest Study Reveal?

Categories: Bloat • Conditions • Emergencies • Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat): • Symptoms • Unproductive retching

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Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer, dog health advocate, writer, and author. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Countless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care in my own hands. I learned the hard way that merely seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough, but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to get a diagnosis. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn, and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people how to recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian, and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners. What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

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