Yorkiepoos are adorable, fun mixed-breed pups that have wiggled their ways into the homes and hearts of owners all over the country. This intelligent, loyal breed is perfect for any owner that loves to socialize with their dog or cuddle up with them at the end of the day. Yorkiepoos are the offspring of a Yorkshire Terrier and a Miniature Poodle, both confident and gentle breeds, making them the perfect family dog. If someone in your household has an allergy to dogs but still wants a fur baby to spend time with, a Yorkiepoo is a great option as they are hypoallergenic,
Though Yorkiepoos are a relatively healthy breed, as with any dog, they may experience health issues such as a bloated dog belly. If you believe your Yorkiepoo may have a bloated stomach, this can be a very serious condition. Here is everything you need to know about your Yorkiepoo’s possible bloating and what you can do about it.
Yorkiepoo Bloat Explained
Dog bloated stomach occurs when your Yorkiepoo’s abdomen becomes swollen or enlarged due to stomach bloating. This is typically visual to an owner, showing a wider abdomen due to internal stomach enlargement. This condition is similar to when a human stomach becomes bloated, which can happen due to a variety of causes.
Yorkiepoos can be prone to a number of diseases, including ones that cause bloated dog bellit’s. As a Yorkiepoo owner, it is important to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of bloat in case they arise so that you can get your dog medical attention in a timely manner if needed. Dog bloat is formally known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV). This is when a dog’s stomach becomes twisted at both ends from spinning around itself. This causes a block of escaping liquids, gas, and other stomach contents. Due to the block up, a buildup of gas and liquid causes the stomach to expand, similar to a balloon which is called dilation. This is what causes your Yorkiepoo’s stomach to appear larger than normal and feel relatively solid, almost as if they swallowed a basketball.
Causes of Bloat in Yorkiepoos
Dog bloated stomach is a very serious condition that can happen for a variety of reasons to any dog, including a Yorkiepoo. While medical experts know that the reason behind the bloating itself is due to Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), they are unsure what exactly causes this to occur. Though no exact cause has been pinpointed, there are a few factors that are believed to contribute to the development of GVD. Ingesting excess amounts of food or water, delayed bowel movements, and too much physical activity all may lead to bloating taking place. Larger breeds are also much more likely to experience bloat, as well as males.
Since Yorkiepoos have predispositions to certain diseases that cause bloated dog belly, including Addison’s disease, it is important for owners to keep an eye out for any signs or symptoms of bloating. Just because Yorkiepoos are pre-dispositioned to bloat does not mean it is inevitable. Many Yorkiepoos will live a long and healthy life without experiencing this condition. It is still a good idea to be familiar with this condition and vigilant of its appearance just to be on the safe side. This will allow you to get your Yorkiepoo the medical attention they need so that they can continue to live a healthy and happy life.
How Bloat Can Affect Your Yorkiepoo
Bloating can affect your Yorkiepoo’s life greatly when taking place, especially if left untreated. This condition is very dangerous and can have major consequences if left unnoticed or ignored. Bloating can not only cause pain and discomfort in the stomach but also additional health issues in other organs and bodily functions.
When GDV happens, not only does the stomach become bloated due to a backup of liquids and gases that cannot escape, other parts of the body can also become affected. Blood flow to and from your dog’s stomach can become altered, as well as blood flow to and from the heart. Breathing can also become challenging for your Yorkiepoo when their stomach is severely bloated. Blood clotting abnormalities and widespread inflammation are another risk of bloating, which can lead to a variety of symptoms and in the worst cases fatal outcomes.
A bloated dog stomach is not a condition to be taken lightly as it can have results as severe as death. If left untreated, bloated dog belly will continue to progress to extreme outcomes. It is extremely important to seek immediate medical treatment if you notice your Yorkiepoo becoming bloated, as this condition will not resolve without proper care. All of the symptoms that are associated with Yorkiepoo bloat can impact their life by decreasing their level of comfort and overall health.
Life Expectancy of a Yorkiepoo With Bloat
A dog bloated stomach that isn’t treated can shorten your Yorkiepoo’s life dramatically. This condition can kill a dog within an hour if untreated. This emphasizes the importance of seeking immediate medical care for any noticed bloated dog belly within your Yorkiepoo, as it can be the difference between life and death. If your regular vet office is closed, be sure to take your dog immediately to an Animal ER closest to you for treatment. When left untreated, canine bloat is 95% fatal.
Once bloat has been treated, the prognosis is much better. Dogs who have been treated immediately and accurately have mortality rates as low as 15%. The main danger for decreasing life expectancy in a Yorkiepoo from bloated dog belly occurs within the first hour of the bloat taking place and before treatment has been received. Once you have taken your Yorkiepoo to get medical care for canine bloat, their life expectancy is much higher.
After a dog’s bloated stomach has been treated and is no longer an existing problem, your Yorkiepoo can go back to living and normal and healthy life. Bloat doesn’t impact life expectancy after receiving care and won’t take any years off of your dog’s life in the future. You won’t have to worry about missing out on any valuable snuggles or walks with your dog because of bloat after treatment.
Signs That Your Yorkiepoo Might Have Bloat
It’s important to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of a bloated belly. If your Yorkiepoo ever experiences this condition, it’ll be easier to get proper treatment in a timely manner if you are aware of the possible signs. Not all dogs experiencing bloat will show all possible indicators, and some can be difficult to see. Being vigilant about your dog’s health and daily state will help ensure any possible symptoms don’t go unnoticed.
Some of the most common symptoms of a bloated belly in dogs can include a hard, bloated abdomen area. Since Yorkiepoos are a smaller dog breed, this should be relatively easy to spot. If you notice that your dog’s stomach appears larger than normal, check to see if it is hard to the touch. If it feels hard, get them into the vet immediately. A stomach that is larger than normal and does not give when touched or put light pressure on it is typically a sign of a dog’s bloated belly.
A bloated dog belly will typically cause dogs to have a hard time lying down and becoming comfortable. If you notice that your Yorkiepoo is pacing or restless, this may be one of the earliest signs of dog bloat. They are likely in distress about the discomfort their bloat is causing and therefore trying to find a way to cope with this.
Another symptom of bloat can be attempting to vomit with minimal success, if any. If you notice your dog attempting to vomit and producing nothing but water or thick saliva, get them into the vet immediately. This is almost always a sign of bloat.
In addition to attempting to vomit, a Yorkiepoo experiencing bloat may also produce excess saliva. If you notice your dog with more saliva than usual, as well as possible “lip-smacking,” be sure to get them checked for bloat.
Breathing changes are commonly seen in Yorkiepoos with bloat due to a decrease in space in the chest that limits the lungs’ ability to expand and pain and distress caused by this condition. If you notice rapid, heavy, or abnormal breathing in your Yorkiepoo, it is best to get them checked immediately for possible bloat.
Rapid heart rate can be an early sign of pain and distress caused by dog bloat. As this condition progresses, rapid heart rate can be an indication of your Yorkiepoo going into shock due to this condition. As shock worsens, heart rates will drop, signaling a very serious health state. If you ever notice an abnormal heartbeat in your Yorkiepoo, be sure to get them medical care as soon as possible.
Since bloat comes with a decreased ability to breathe, dogs may try to compensate for this by standing in certain ways. These postures can help them obtain more space in their chest for their lungs to expand. Yorkiepoos experiencing bloat may stand with their elbows away from their chest and pointing outward, and extend their neck in order to give their lungs a little bit more room to breathe.
Pale mucus membranes can be another major indicator of bloat. Typically, mucus membranes such as the gums of your Yorkiepoo’s mouth should be pink-colored when they are in their usual, healthy state. When the gums of your dog’s mouth become pale, this is typically an indicator of a health issue, such as bloat. Pale mucus membranes can be an indicator of other health issues besides bloat. If you notice your dog has pale mucus membranes, this does not necessarily mean it is caused by bloat, but you should still get them into the vet as quickly as possible.
Collapsing is the most obvious and severe sign of dog bloat. If your Yorkiepoo has collapsed, it is vital that you get them to the vet as soon as possible. Collapsing is one of the last signs of bloat and means that they are facing a very serious health issue, whether it is bloat or something else. Even if your dog doesn’t necessarily collapse, an inability to stand may also be a sign of bloat.
Unfortunately, owners can’t determine whether or not their Yorkiepoo is experiencing dog bloated stomach without the opinion of a medical professional. While you may notice signs of bloating within your Yorkiepoo, the diagnosis cannot be determined by anyone but a veterinarian. If you notice any symptoms of bloat listed, be sure to get them to a medical professional. They are the only ones who can confirm or rule out the possibility of bloat within your Yorkiepoo.
How to Care for and Treat Your Yorkiepoo for Bloat
While bloat is a scary situation for any dog owner, it can easily be treated by a vet. Do not attempt to treat dog bloat at home if you notice symptoms within your Yorkiepoo. No matter what the cause of bloat is, whether it is Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) or another condition, it will need to be addressed by a medical professional. While there are cures for symptoms of dog bloat, such as medications, this specific condition cannot be reversed at home.
Vets can treat bloat in different ways that will combat various forms of discomfort and other symptoms within your Yorkiepoo. When initially diagnosed, vets will commonly perform blood work tests, imaging, and other medical services to confirm the cause of the bloat. Once your Yorkiepoo has been stabilized, they will receive stomach decompression to help minimize bloating. If it’s confirmed to be Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) causing bloated dog stomach, surgery is the only route that can eliminate this problem. During this surgery, called abdominal exploratory surgery, medical professionals will have to enter your Yorkiepoo’s abdomen and manually untwist their stomach. After it has successfully been untwisted and corrected, the vet will then suture, or sew, your dog’s stomach to their body wall. This will prevent it from being able to twist again, eliminating the possibility of future Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV). If the stomach wall has been damaged while your Yorkiepoo was experiencing bloat, this piece of tissue will be removed.
Preventing Yorkiepoo Bloat
Since there is no known direct cause of dog bloated stomach, it is difficult to prevent your Yorkiepoo from experiencing this. One of the most preventative factors an owner can provide for their dog is feeding them multiple times per day. Yorkiepoos that are fed once per day are twice as likely to develop bloat as those who are fed two meals per day. Another factor that can contribute to bloat is a Yorkiepoo’s rate of eating. Dogs who eat their meals faster are more likely to experience bloating. Feeding your Yorkiepoo more than one time a day and using feeder bowls are both great ways to help prevent dog bloat.
Preventative surgeries such as gastropexy on Yorkiepoos who are at risk for bloated dog stomach has become more common, though it is difficult to determine which dogs specifically are in need of this preventative measure. Typically, dog breeds which are the most at risk for this condition, as well as males of this breed, are most eligible for preventative surgery. Yorkiepoos are not considered to be an at-risk breed, so you shouldn’t have to worry about your dog undergoing surgery in order to avoid a dog bloated stomach.
How to Help Your Yorkiepoo Live a Fulfilling Life with Bloat
As dog owners, we all want to make sure that our precious pups live a happy and healthy life for as many years as they can. A dog bloated stomach will not stand in the way of your Yorkiepoo living a fulfilling life as long as it is properly treated. The best way that a dog owner can ensure that their Yorkiepoo lives the best life possible despite experiencing bloat is by being vigilant of the signs and symptoms of this condition. If you notice any of these possible canine bloat signs, it is vital that you get your Yorkiepoo into the vet as soon as you possibly can.
By getting your Yorkiepoo into the vet as soon as possible, you will reduce their chances of dog bloated stomach becoming fatal. This early intervention will allow them to be on the road to recovery and live many more days filled with walks, belly rubs, playing fetch, and eating their favorite treats. If you want to make sure your Yorkiepoo lives the best life that they possibly can, be sure to be aware of what bloat is and looks like and have a plan for if this possibly happens to your dog. Having not only a vet but also an Animal ER in mind that you will go to in case of emergency will help you get proper medical care as fast as possible.
Bloat can be a daunting thing, but that does not mean you should live your life in fear of it as a pet owner. Yorkiepoos who receive immediate care for this condition typically live long and healthy lives. Be sure to be vigilant as an owner when it comes to signs of bloat and get your Yorkiepoo the care that they need if they experience this condition.
