The exact cause of this disorder is elusive. Various theories have been put forth by the veterinary community, such as exercise too soon before or after a large meal; the swelling of dry food within the stomach; drinking excessive amounts of water within an hour of eating; laxity of the ligaments holding the stomach; and stress. All of these have been considered as possible factors for the development of bloat or torsion.
Although they offer no guarantee, preventive measures can at least reduce the chance of your bully breed suffering from bloating. Dr. Ballard suggests you restrict vigorous exercise or play for up to two hours after your dog has eaten. Other precautions include limiting water intake around mealtimes and giving two smaller meals a day rather than one large meal. Soaking dry food until it is partially expanded before ingestion has also been suggested.
Warning signs of imminent bloat are restlessness, arching of the back, repeatedly unproductive attempts to vomit and a somewhat hard, distended stomach area. It is crucial to get your dog to a veterinarian as soon as symptoms are observedthis condition is often fatal within a few hours.
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