Bloat Symptoms?

[Hollis]

I'm certain I'm just a pessimist, but...

 

I let the girls out after dinner like always. Room-mate came home with his dog. Girls went nuts. Dog next door started. Everyone separated by a six foot fence.

 

The girls just ran circles. Got so excited. Probably 5 mins but it felt like 500. They are both lying down now, neither are panting or acting funny in any way. But. I need to know what to watch for. Please.

[GreyhoundGirl]

Bloat is almost impossible to confuse with anything else. Symptoms include: Panting, pacing, vomitting foam, and the stomach expands to 2-3 times its normal size. If they're laying down and relaxed that's GOOD!

 

I lost my first Grey to bloat and once you see it, you never forget it. I actually rushed my last boy to the vet because he was showing bloat-like symptoms and I panicked. It's amazing how people will clear the way for you when they hear the word "bloat". Thankfully it turned out not to be bloat but he did vomit all over the waiting room floor.

 

Don't feel silly asking, it's good to know what to look out for. The biggest things are the stomachs expanding and vomitting foam.

[KF_in_Georgia]

Any signs that someone feels uncomfortable: pacing, swallowing hard, straining to pee or poop (or vomit). Don't let them drink too much or eat anything for an hour or so. (They can lick ice cubes if they want, but no one should go nose-down in the water dish.) A light dinner in a while, and they can have more at bedtime.

 

Meanwhile, if you don't know the location of the nearest e-vet, use this time to find out. You're probably fine, but you'll feel better once you know.

[Hollis]

Can they go from laying flat sleeping to bloat late? I mean does bloat happen right away? Could it happen in an hour if they are fine now?

 

I'm sorry. This is probably stupid. But I can't think straight right now.

I know where the evet is. And the running happened after dinner so there will be no more food tonight.

[macoduck]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1WrT2719yo&feature=share

 

http://www.ginnie.com/bloat.htm

[Hollis]

30 mins later and they are both fine. Dozing away.

 

I, on the other hand, am a worry wart.

[4My2Greys]

Totally understand the worry wart part.

It's a good idea to have something like Gas-X on hand. If bloat is suspected you can give them that to help relieve some of the built up gas as you get them to the vet.

[MaryJane]

One very clear symptom of gas issues are the "neck stretching". The gas is the bloat which then can leads to the torsion or twisting.

[greysmom]

It would have happened by now, if it was going to. Though watch for a drum-tight tummy, uncomfortable stretching, unproductive vomiting or bowel movements, and an elevated heartbeat. Something like Gas-x will work to relieve the gas build-up as long as there's no torsion involved. If the stomach has already twisted, the medication won't be able to enter the it and will stay in the esophagus and like be regurgitated.

[Time4ANap]

Just got home and saw this post. Here's a link to a Bloat Symptoms Chart that we printed out and is posted on our refrigerator for quick reference. . http://www.bmd.org/bmdcr/bloat_chart.pdf

[Batmom]

The only symptom that one of our dogs had was an expanding ribcage. Not even noticeable except when he was on his feet and you looked at him from the top. Usually you'll at least see some restlessness.

[Hollis]

Good morning gt-ers. All is fine here. I'm just an over protective mom. Thanks for the help!

[Guest BlueCrab]

Bloat is almost impossible to confuse with anything else. Symptoms include: Panting, pacing, vomitting foam, and the stomach expands to 2-3 times its normal size. If they're laying down and relaxed that's GOOD!

 

I lost my first Grey to bloat and once you see it, you never forget it. I actually rushed my last boy to the vet because he was showing bloat-like symptoms and I panicked. It's amazing how people will clear the way for you when they hear the word "bloat". Thankfully it turned out not to be bloat but he did vomit all over the waiting room floor.

 

Don't feel silly asking, it's good to know what to look out for. The biggest things are the stomachs expanding and vomitting foam.

 

I saw Batmom's post that her dog showed almost no sign, but the classic signs tend to be the ones listed above, with visible signs of stress / distress, the arched neck, perhaps a stiff-legged walk, and the vomiting foam thing, as they're not able to vomit up the stomach contents.

 

We lost my heart baby (GSD) Otto to bloat some years ago. He had gone into his crate after dinner and flipped his stomach while he was turning, turning, turning to make his bed. Smart boy knew to come find me, and I knew immediately what it was, followed by the panicked sprint thru a nor'easter to the e-vet. I lay in the back of the van holding Otto, talking with the e-vet with status updates and yelling at DH to run the damn red lights (it was late at night) that he kept stopping for. But it was heartbreaking nonetheless and we still lost him after 3 days of trying to fix him.

 

Don't feel silly for asking - you're paying attention to what your dogs are doing, and that's important.