Bloat risk factors

[trudysmom]

I don't know much about the canine bloat except for what I remember when Trudy had it in 2004 (she was about 10 1/2 years old). It was a nice sunny Sunday afternoon and she and Zola had eaten in the morning. She had been outside in the backyard and had come in and couldn't get comfortable. She'd whine and cry and move around. Mike and I watched her for awhile. It seemed like her belly was fuller/rounder but her gums were pale. I took our daughter and a friend to the swimming pool. Mike called within a half hour and said he thought she should be seen by the vet. So we went to the emergency vet hospital. They took her into an exam room and took an xray and pulled some of the air out of her stomach with a syringe. The vet brought us into the room with her and said we had to make a quick decision to operate or put her down. When we came into the room, Trudy turned and looked at us as if to say "please give me a chance" I left the decision to Mike, as I could never say no to her. We elected to have the surgery done. I think she was there for 3-4 days (a day longer than expected as her blood pressure or heart rate was low--- she had run several miles several times a week with Mike since we got her). I've heard from several people more knowledgable than I, that it's a tough condition to treat (sudden onset and rapid progression). The surgery isn't always successful. We're very blessed that we had Trudy for another 18-20 months and would do it again.

Someone wrote on this subject that they lost their dog to bloat. I'm so sorry I know it's horrible to lose your beloved boxer. I wish you wouldn't have lost them. Please, don't beat yourself for not being there when it happened or where you put the dish (I don't think Trudy had eaten for several hours and she was more sedentary if she wasn't running with Mike or playing with us).
I think it's a hard condition to treat even if you get to the vet fast.

One thing the vet told us also was that if you're having your dog spayed to have them attach the stomach to the chest wall or outside wall to prevent it twisting.

Nancy
Trudy's mom
Trudy (12/93 to 1/07)
Zola 5/00

[BrindleKarma]

Awesome post, there's always something to learn.

I noticed this from a recent post:

"One thing the vet told us also was that if you're having your dog spayed to have them attach the stomach to the chest wall or outside wall to prevent it twisting."

I had no idea that was an option. I've never heard anyone mention it until now- and my vet hasn't said anything either. But it's interesting that they'd do that simply as a preventative measure.

[tcarlisle]

Originally Posted by BrindleKarma

Awesome post, there's always something to learn.

I noticed this from a recent post:

"One thing the vet told us also was that if you're having your dog spayed to have them attach the stomach to the chest wall or outside wall to prevent it twisting."

I had no idea that was an option. I've never heard anyone mention it until now- and my vet hasn't said anything either. But it's interesting that they'd do that simply as a preventative measure.

That is interesting, because I didn't think that spaying was such an involved procedure that it woudl be easy/close/convenient to also stitch the stomach for this.

My dog had a bloat incident and survived. I tend to agree with the purdue study that seems to be the topic of debate in this thread. I think it has a lot to do with genetics than anything. My dog is one big walking genetic defect. Before the bloat incident, he had advanced hip dysplasia at 18 months.

The only reason my dog survived was because of the hip dysplasia I already knew where an advanced surgical team was located 5 minutes from my house that was 24/7/365. At the time, I knew about bloat and knew boxers were at higher risk, but I couldn't rattle off the symptoms. When he was salivating and panting and his head was drooping and his eyes just looked like he was fading away, I did not equate that to bloat -- I just knew something was wrong big time, and because it came on so suddenly I knew it needed very quick attention and it was Sunday at around 6pm, so I went to the same surgical/ER center I used for the hip dysplasia and luckily they were very, very competent and wasted no time by triaging him correctly as am immediate emergency and basically told me there wasn't even time for them to ask me what I thought was wrong -- they just took him back to surgery.

They came out and told me it was bloat and that the stomach had started to twist, but they got it in time. They recommeneded attaching the stomach to prevent twist in the future, and took that option.

The dog fully recovered and has not had a repeat incident, and that was at least 5 years ago.

He is a speed eater. He was on kibble at that time. It was preimum kibble, one the higher end ones that requires little volume. I never raised his bowl or wetted his food. I believe he got into a trash bag that was waiting to be taken out, and what he might have ingested (if anything) is unknown.

I have no way of knowing, but I would not be suprised if his bloodline was full of bloat victims -- if any of them lived through the hip dysplasia that is.

I would not recommend people worry about whether or not to raise the bowl or wet the kibble. You either believe or agree with the purdue study or not -- it is each one's personal choice. In any event, find out in advance where you can take your dog at any time of any day and get prompt & proper diagnosis and surgical intervention.

[HandH]

A month ago our 4 year old female boxer, sat by herself in a dark area and couldn't get comfortable. Then she finally vomitted (one big pile of food) and she felt better. Last night she went to the same area by herself, however she moaned and didn't want to move. Her stomach did not seem bloated or swelling. I have pushed on her stomach and it doesn't appear to hurt her. Today she is doing better and is almost acting normal. I fed her a half portion of breakfast. The oddest part is that she will not go through the dog door anymore!

Any suggestions?