bloat

Pronunciation: blōt, blōt′ing

Definition:

1. Abdominal distention from swallowed air or intestinal gas from fermentation.
2. Distention of the rumen of cattle, caused by the accumulation of gases of fermentation, particularly likely to occur when the animals are pastured on rich legume grasses; if unrelieved, the condition may quickly lead to death.
3. In dogs, gastric dilatation (dilation) or bloat may progress to gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), an often life-threatening torsion of the stomach resulting in circulatory compromise to the organ. The spleen may also be drawn into a torsion. Simple bloat (dilatations) are more common in deep-chested large or giant breed dogs.

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