Bloating in Sheepadoodles: Facts and Information

Sheepadoodles

The Sheepadoodle breed is an up-and-coming designer dog breed. They came from Poodles, which are famous dogs known for prancing around France. Old English Sheepdogs are not nearly as well known, but you’d guess they take care of sheep. Sheepadoodles are a beautiful blend of these two breeds. People love this breed so much they’ve started breeding miniature Poodles to make miniature Sheepadoodles.

Sheepadoodles have similar curly hair to Poodles but mostly the same color fur as Old English Sheepdogs. Their long hair flows in the air as they run right by you. Mixed breeds take in all the traits of their two mother breeds but in a different variety for each dog. Because they take in similar qualities of colors, fur, and personalities, it stands to reason they take in some of the same health issues as well. One very serious health condition Sheepadoodles are at risk of is bloating.

Bloat in Sheepadoodles Explained

The Sheepadoodle breed is a relatively new one coming into popularity. Of course, the Sheepadoodle is the mix of an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle which means the Sheepadoodle has the same health issues as both parent breeds. For sheepadoodles, their owners need to understand what bloating is, how it affects their dogs, and what they can do to help.

A Sheepadoodle dog is most at risk of common health issues like joint swelling, hip dysplasia, allergies, seizures, sensitive stomachs, Addison’s disease, and bloating. Their relationship with the Old English Sheepdog and the Poodle elevates their risks of getting these illnesses. Because Sheepadoodles are a mixed breed of two breeds at higher risk of bloat, it is a significant possible health issue.

Bloating is a condition when gas, food, or fluid gets trapped in some way in the stomach. Vets also refer to this health issue as ‘bloat,’ the official name is gastric dilatation-volvulus which shortens to GDV. Otherwise, healthy dogs can still suffer from bloating. This illness can tear the wall of their stomach and even create difficulty breathing. Some cases elevate so far that a dog‘s stomach twists, blocking blood in the stomach from traveling to the heart. This blockage prevents blood from adequately accessing other areas in the body as well.

Inadequate blood flow can cause dogs to go into shock. If left untreated, this will be lethal to dogs. In any situation where bloating may be present, it’s essential to immediately take your Sheepadoodle to an emergency vet clinic. Sheepadoodle bloat can be lethal in only a few hours. Bloating is a severe health issue in dogs and is second only to cancer as a cause of death in our furry friends. Knowing more about what bloat is and what causes it could help you save your Sheepadoodle’s life.

Causes of Bloat in Sheepadoodles

The breed of a dog plays a significant impact in its predisposition to these health issues. A large dog is much more at risk than a small dog. This health issue is more common in dogs that have deep chests. Breeds like the Old English Sheepdog and Poodle are predisposed to this condition. Because those two breeds are predisposed, it stands to reason that Sheepadoodle dogs are at a higher risk of bloat. Also, any dog with a round, spread-out chest is at a higher risk of bloating. These dogs have room in their stomach that could potentially allow it to twist, causing all of those health problems mentioned earlier.

Even though a large dog is more likely to experience a dog‘s bloated stomach, miniature dogs are also at risk. Because the Poodle is a high-risk breed for bloat, the toy Poodle is as well. Indeed, a toy Poodle doesn’t have as much room in its stomach for a bloated dog belly, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is heavily related to a breed that experiences this condition often. The product of a miniature Poodle would result in a litter of miniature Sheepadoodle puppies. As stated before, even though a mini Sheepadoodle has a smaller chest, they are still highly at risk of this health issue because of their relationship to the Poodle and Sheepdog.

Any dog can bloat in general, as scientists are not sure what causes bloating. They are just aware of a few things that make it more likely. Some breeds are most at risk of bloating than others because their stomach has more room to twist. These breeds include the German Shepherd, Boxer, Basset Hound, Great Dane, and St. Bernard.

Environmental factors don’t have a strong influence on bloating in dogs. Some environmental factors may be how a dog acts after eating. If a dog eats from a raised food bowl and eats very quickly, it may have raised the risk of developing a dog bloated stomach. If a dog eats only one large meal a day, this could also increase the amount of gas and food in the stomach, possibly causing a dog bloated stomach. Other issues like running around after eating and drinking too much too fast can also increase the risk of bloat in dogs. Stress may contribute to this risk and relation to any other dog that has suffered through bloating. It’s also known that dogs with separation anxiety are at a higher risk of bloating as well.

How Bloating Can Affect Your Sheepadoodle

Bloating in Sheepadoodle’s will cause pain in their stomachs. They may often stretch with their paws and head down and put their rears in the air. A Sheepadoodle with a dog bloated belly will experience quite a bit of discomfort, and if it doesn’t get help quickly enough, this health condition will become severe enough to be lethal. Even healthy dogs are at risk of this issue.

As stated earlier, dogs can contract strokes because of their stomachs twisting. Death is a significant risk for a Sheepadoodle suffering from a dog bloated belly. Bloating can cause both shock and cardiac abnormalities. Some dogs will collapse when experiencing bloat. When a dog bloated belly occurs and the stomach twists, blood gets blocked. This blockage causes the stomach to swell, creating more pressure on the lungs and making it difficult for a dog to breathe. Some dogs can tear their stomach lining during bloat or cause some stomach tissue to die. A dog bloated stomach can become incredibly serious very quickly. Many vets will recommend surgery to attach the stomach to the abdominal muscle to prevent further bloating incidents. If the stomach has already twisted, a vet will have to perform emergency surgery.

Life Expectancy of a Sheepadoodle with Bloating

If a Sheepadoodle doesn’t get treatment after bloat occurs, it will likely pass away within hours. Even if treatment is readily available after the dog begins experiencing symptoms of bloating, there is a chance the dog may not survive. Sadly, about 25%-40% of dogs die from bloat. While the leading cause of death for serious health issues is cancer, bloating is second. Suppose a Sheepadoodle experiences a bloated dog belly and is left untreated. In that case, it is not unreasonable to assume it will not live as long as the average lifespan of its breed. A Sheepadoodle may pass away sooner than expected because of a dog bloated stomach or a stroke.

If treated in time and successfully, the Sheepadoodle will be fine and live its regular life. If the dog received emergency surgery and the vet also decided to attach the stomach to their abdomen, this should prevent bloating in the future.

Bloating is fatal. If noticed fast enough and treated in time, a dog can survive, but it will die if it has a bloated dog belly and does not get the help it needs. So the life expectancy of a dog that goes without treatment for bloat is essentially imminent death. But once a dog receives treatment successfully, its life expectancy will be the same as other dogs in their breed. For Sheepadoodles, they’re a new breed, so not much is known, but their estimated lifespan is about 11 years on average.

Signs That Your Sheepadoodle Might Have Bloating

If you have a large dog that is any of the dog breeds listed as being more likely to bloat, keep an eye out for a firm and swollen stomach. Many symptoms appear when a dog bloated stomach occurs, and you should make sure you are aware of them just in case it happens to your dog. It’s crucial to be mindful of a dog bloated stomach signs since there is such a small window of time to save your Sheepadoodle.

Any dogs weighing over 100 pounds are 20% more likely to bloat. In general, the average Sheepadoodle will only weigh up to 85 pounds max. Miniature Sheepadoodles will only weigh up to 30 pounds. If you are concerned your dog may be suffering from a dog bloated stomach, make sure you watch for any reactions or weird behavior from your dog to see if any symptoms show. It’s unlikely for a Shheepadoodle puppy to experience a bloated dog belly. Dogs ages seven years or older are more likely to experience bloat. If you have a dog with separation anxiety, this may make them more at risk of this health condition. Any dog related to another that suffered from this health issue is more likely to go through the same thing. A micro Sheepadoodle, although small, is still at risk of bloating because of its two mother breeds.

When bloat first occurs, a dog will show signs that its stomach hurts. They might look anxious and start pacing or looking at their stomach. They may also try to stretch to relieve themselves of stomach pain. Dry heaving, whining, and foamy mucus around the mouth are also signs that mean a dog may be bloating. If your dog has excessive amounts of drool, which is unusual, that is a sign of bloating. Pale gums and a rapid heartbeat are more symptoms of a dog bloating. A restless dog or one with shortened breath may also be a symptom of bloating. If you can feel your dog‘s stomach and it feels swollen or firm, that is a possible sign of a bloated dog belly as well. A dog that has symptoms of bloating may also attempt to vomit, but nothing will come up. Attempted vomiting every five to thirty minutes is the most common symptom for Poodles that experience bloat. If you are worried about your Sheepadoodle experiencing a dog bloated stomach, the attempt to vomit may be one of the first signs you see.

Bloating has the potential to be fatal in as few as fifteen minutes. Understanding what it is and what it looks like in a dog is crucial to the survival of a dog who experiences bloat.

How To Care For and Treat Your Sheepadoodle For Bloating

No changes in food or diet will prevent bloat from happening. You cannot reverse this condition without taking your dog to a vet clinic as soon as symptoms present themselves.

However, something called prophylactic gastropexy surgery can potentially save your dog from ever experiencing the horror of bloating. This surgery attaches the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent the possibility of a dog‘s stomach twisting. This operation is the same surgery a vet may perform on a dog who had experienced bloat and needed emergency surgery. Dog‘s at risk may have this surgery done at the recommendation of a veterinarian and avoid the condition before it even happens. It is an entirely preventative surgery, although it is not wholly full-proof. Gastropexy surgery does significantly limit the possibility for a dog to have a life-threatening risk of bloating.

Removing things that may aggravate bloating also helps lower the risk of a dog contracting bloat. For example, don’t feed your dog out of a raised food bowl. Supervise them after eating to make sure they don’t run or play a lot right after. Make sure they drink enough water throughout the day and not all at once. Also, it is a bad idea to feed your dog one big meal daily. Splitting the food into smaller meals multiple times a day lessens the risk of bloat. Some vets say dogs with excessive stress and anxiety are more prone to bloating as well. It’s also worth noting that any illnesses that affect intestinal motion may increase the risk of a bloated dog belly. Try to help dogs with stress create a way to release their tension. Some dogs with anxiety cope with stuffed animals or blankets, and even something as small as a blanket may ease your dog‘s separation anxiety enough to prevent bloating.

Check-in with a vet to see if your predisposed Sheepadoodle may be available for certain preventative surgery.

A Sheepadoodle owner must immediately take the dog to an emergency vet clinic if symptoms of a dog bloated stomach occur. The length of time this condition takes until it is severely lethal varies from dog to dog. There are likely only a few hours of opportunity for a Sheepadoodle to receive successful treatment for bloat. The only way to care for a dog is to do this. In any case, it is best to take your dog to a vet if you see signs of bloating. A vet will adequately assess the severity of the incident and learn how to continue from there. Sadly, there is a possibility you recognize the symptoms of bloat and take your dog to the hospital, only for it to be too late. This tragedy is why it is crucial to fully recognize and understand what this condition looks like in your Sheepadoodle.

How to Help Your Sheepadoodle Live A Fulfilling Life with Bloat

The best thing any dog owner can do is be aware of potential health issues and keep an eye out for any symptoms. Younger dogs, like Sheepadoodle puppies, are less likely to experience a dog bloated stomach because of their age. Keep in mind that Poodle mix-breeds are more at risk of bloat, and the same goes for any dog mixed with a German Shepherd or English Sheepdog breed.

Any dog lover needs to be aware of the breeds at risk of having a bloated dog belly. An owner needs to learn all the signs and symptoms dogs may experience when they contract bloat. Don’t do things that may increase the risk of bloat, like a raised food bowl or allowing your dog to run around right after eating. If you can, getting the preventative surgery done for your Sheepadoodle may be the most comforting choice to prevent bloating. It isn’t foolproof, but it has shown great success. Your dog can live its best life and never have to know the pain of bloating. However, if preventative surgery is not an option, be attentive and caring to your dog, and they will live their best life possible.