Dog Community

Bloat in Dogs

Anonymous

Posted : 12/7/2006 1:55:15 PM

Hi,
Has anyone had this happen to one of their dogs? I never even heard of it before until today. My friend just told me this past weekend her dog quickly died from bloat, her husband came home to find the dog dead. The dog was only 18 months old, a boxer, and it was her baby. She completely adored him. Neither were home, my friend was at her aunt's wedding, and she said the dog was perfectly fine and acting normal before she left for the wedding. I just can't imagine coming home to find out something like that happened to one of my dogs. The vet told her there was really nothing that could've been done even if someone was home, being they never knew about this problem, and that it comes on suddenly and kills quickly. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen, and if there is any way of catching it in time. I found a website I was reading up on it, and it says its the 2nd leading killer in dogs, cancer being the first. It lists all the breeds of dogs that bloat is common in, and of course Maggie, my springer spaniel is on that list.

[linkhttp://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm]http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm[/link]

ottoluv

Posted : 12/7/2006 2:00:33 PM

Tends to happen moare in larger breeds, scary none the less. I always watch to make sure otto doesn't "woof" down his food. Although I realize it usually doesn't happen in chihuahua's hee hee

Boxermom4

Posted : 12/7/2006 2:10:46 PM

This is a problem with Boxers, I have always made sure they eat slowly, no elevated food dishes and no running around after they eat, I also make sure to give them two meals a day and then a little snack of their kibble just before bed, just so their tummies won't be upset for going without food for too long. I am very paranoid about this, theese are things Iv'e picked up along the way to maybe try and prevent them from getting it but I am sure there is no guarantee. This can happen to any dog and as stated their is little that can be done, especially if not causght within the first few mineutes. I am so sorry for your friend.

jbv

Posted : 12/7/2006 2:47:18 PM

It is most typical in deep-chested dogs. Stress is a huge factor in the development of bloat...many believe it is the primary factor .

dyan

Posted : 12/7/2006 3:05:31 PM

I have a Great Dane. Bloat and torsion (where their stomack kind of flips over) is a real common killer of Danes...just happened to one at the vet where I work. I have read everything I can about bloat,,they are really not sure how to avoid it,,,or what causes it. I am terrified of it. But as jbv says,,,they have come to realize that stress plays a major factor...the Dane that died a few weeks ago was getting bathed at the vet and was very upset about it. THe owner picked him up and he was vomitting,,,they walked him over to the vet who stabilized him and they took him to ER and he had to be put down. SAD and TERRIFYING!
I do many things for Bubblegum to avoid bloat. I ALWAYS feed her from elevated dishes (much less stressful for a large dog to not have to bend all the way to the floor to get food in her mouth), Feed her meat based kibble, I put a probiotic supplement on her kibble, don't let her run around too much before or after eating or drinking,, try not to let her get too stressed out, and I have Rescue Remedy on hand and simethicone in liquid form in case she does bloat. I read where the dog sometimes goes into shock and die because of that when they bloat...so to try to keep her calm with R.R. and give her the simethicone to try to "buy her some time" on the way to the ER.
Some breeds are more susceptible to bloat such as the Dane...but all dogs can so we all must be careful. Just last year I have personally come into contact with 3 people that lost their dog to bloat,, One Dane and 2 German Shepherds.