Which statement best describes the condition commonly known as bloat?

Which statement best describes the condition commonly known as bloat?

• A. A fetal obstruction of the birth canal.
• B. An abnormal accumulation of air, food, or liquid in the stomach.
• C. Protrusion of the eyeball.
• D. Excessive hair loss.

Answer: (B)

Bloat is an abnormal buildup of gas in the stomach that causes the stomach to distend. This distension, often from gas produced by fermentation or swallowed air that can’t escape, makes the animal uncomfortable and can be life-threatening if not treated. The option describing an abnormal accumulation of air, food, or liquid in the stomach fits this idea, since it captures the sense of stomach distension due to contents. The other statements describe conditions unrelated to bloat: obstruction of the birth canal is a birth complication (dystocia), protrusion of the eyeball is a different eye condition (proptosis/exophthalmos), and excessive hair loss is alopecia.

Bloat is an abnormal buildup of gas in the stomach that causes the stomach to distend. This distension, often from gas produced by fermentation or swallowed air that can’t escape, makes the animal uncomfortable and can be life-threatening if not treated. The option describing an abnormal accumulation of air, food, or liquid in the stomach fits this idea, since it captures the sense of stomach distension due to contents. The other statements describe conditions unrelated to bloat: obstruction of the birth canal is a birth complication (dystocia), protrusion of the eyeball is a different eye condition (proptosis/exophthalmos), and excessive hair loss is alopecia.