My dog survived bloat this week

[undeterred]

but its really dangerous. The only symptoms he had were a couple hours of dry heaves after eating at 7pm. Thank goodness I brought him there early (10pm)- he was treated with gastric lavage and a needle to release the gas from his stomach. If I had waited till morning to seek veterinary care I would have lost him or had a much sicker dog.

Please keep it in mind, especially if you have a deep chested dog.


Bloat is the common term for Gastric Dilation-Torsion Complex. This condition involves the swelling of the stomach from gas, fluid or both.

Bloat is a Veterinary Emergency!!! There are no home remedies. Symptoms can be subtle. Learn to recognize them.

* Paces around continuously, or, lies down in odd places
* Salavating, panting, whining
* Acts as if he can't get comfortable
* Acts agitated
* Unproductive vomiting or retching (the dog may produce frothy foamy vomit in small quanties)
* Excessive drooling, usually accompanied by retching noises
* Swelling in abdominal area (may or may not be noticeable)

If you see ANY combination of these symptoms, CALL YOUR VET and get the dog...there as fast as possible. Bloat is LIFE-THREATENING. Do not wait until you see/feel an enlarged stomach!


Here are a couple of my threads on it from the Lounge:

I made my dog sick:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3650080

My dog almost died tonight:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3651834

My dog survived "bloat" last night:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3656742

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Excellent idea to re-post in this forum. Hope our pup is still doing well

[undeterred]

4. Thank you- He is stable as of today

I'm trying to keep things quiet and he's still on a soft diet. I know he's in danger of a recurrence - I have to get the "gastropexy" done as soon as I can.

[Eurobabe]

2. not to minimize your pet's experience

but isn't this what Cheney has? Hope you dog is better real soon. Hope Cheney is not. ;)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050717/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cheney_health;_ylt=AtIw5gUHJjCPj66X9sSMlDqs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OXIzMDMzBHNlYwM3MDM-

[BrklynLiberal]

3. What an insult to dogs.....

;)

[undeterred]

5. Bloat does not occur in humans

and when it happens to dogs its life threatening, whereas Cheney's illness is not.

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Another indication that there is no justice

:grr:

[SiouxJ]

7. Thanks for posting this

I had a 4th of July party and fed my dogs during it and then asked people to stop playing with them for a bit while they digested. They all made fun of me and said I was being silly - that it was just an old wives tale like not swimming for 30 minutes after eating. I told them it wasn't and that my dogs are probably safe because they aren't a large breed, but I'd rather play it safe anyway. They still ridiculed me for being over protective. I just sent them your story. Though I do feed them two small meals a day, rather than one big one, they do gulp down their food and follow it up with lots of water, so I just wanted to be careful. Glad things turned out ok for you!

[ernstbass]

8. Thanks for this reminder

I have 2 friends whose dogs died of bloat while being boarded at kennels.

[undeterred]

9. I've heard a lot of scary stories this week

including one about a 4 month old Gordon Setter who developed the condition after being left alone for just a few hours. The dog had major surgery ($4000) and survived. Many people have not been so lucky.

I've kept him on a soft diet all week, though he is starting to refuse it. He's done just fine though. One week tonight since the crisis, I thank God for this extra week with my precious pup.