bloat - advice please

Asha

Asha

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My golden retriever has had bloat twice now. The vet was fantastic last night, and told me what to watch out for. He was fine this morning in himself, but still had a slightly swollen stomach.

I took him this morning to get checked out, and the vet is going to consult with the surgeons, but she thinks they will recommending surgery. Should now in the morning.

has anyone any experience with this type of surgery ?
 
My mums bully... Who we sadly lost to Lymphoma last week, had surgery for bloat about 3-4 yrs ago as an emergency.
Thankfully he survived, and bounced back. However he was loathed to jump in the car for about 5 months - we think it was pulling and uncomfortable.
I think they stitch the stomach so it can't twist.
Have to say he had the odd episode of drooling, for about 2 yrs afterwards, but never got bloat again.
My mum also stopped feeding him dried food and made her own which also helped
 
s4sugar said:
Surgery is pretty routine in some areas but do you have any idea what is causing the episodes?
Click to expand...

Does stress cause it ? Just my neighbour has recently got a terrier, and its constantly yapping, and that upsets him, other than that nothing has changed.
 
millimoo said:
My mums bully... Who we sadly lost to Lymphoma last week, had surgery for bloat about 3-4 yrs ago as an emergency.
Thankfully he survived, and bounced back. However he was loathed to jump in the car for about 5 months - we think it was pulling and uncomfortable.
I think they stitch the stomach so it can't twist.
Have to say he had the odd episode of drooling, for about 2 yrs afterwards, but never got bloat again.
My mum also stopped feeding him dried food and made her own which also helped
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about your mums dog.

He does have dried food, although vet didnt seem concerned about his food.

Thanks
 
http://www.danes.org.uk/care/bloat.asp

I know it's about Danes but I imagine it's similar in all breeds. This says stress can be a contributory factor. We lost a Dane to bloat years ago because the vets didn't recognise it. She died in their kennels.

Good luck with your boy- hope he feels better soon. But please be careful, bloat is an emergency- like colic in horses- and can quickly get worse. Not all vets seem aware of this.
 
I have managed to avoid bloat in all my large breed dogs (prone to it) and I have a few simple rules, (never feed when panting) and allow at least 1 hour after exerting exercise for feeding, (never use raised bowl stands) sorry I dont agree they help to prevent bloat at all, infact I think they could contribute in aiding it.
Slow any fast rapid eating down (I usually use a large flat bowl) as in super size:p to stop large amounts being gulped down at once as the bowl surface is so huge the dog has to work around the bowl to get the food (and I never feed small and often or split meals during the day) funnily enough I have always fed the one meal a day, although I know some split meals as they feel this also prevents bloat. (guess I do it all the opposite) but *touch wood* I have never had any issues nor have we with any of the rescue dogs that would be prone too.

Is he older now? how old was he when he first suffered bloat?
Mine have always been fed dry food too.
 
Montmorency said:
http://www.danes.org.uk/care/bloat.asp

I know it's about Danes but I imagine it's similar in all breeds. This says stress can be a contributory factor. We lost a Dane to bloat years ago because the vets didn't recognise it. She died in their kennels.

Good luck with your boy- hope he feels better soon. But please be careful, bloat is an emergency- like colic in horses- and can quickly get worse. Not all vets seem aware of this.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. Given me some insight into what can be causing it.

We feed him at a regular time, around 7pm. Next doors terrier is outside around then .yapping at him across the fence, this can go on for a good couple of hours, (on and off). So on a full stomach, hes getting quite upset. Although he cant see the dog, he does cower away.:(

Very difficult, as its not as though i can go and ask them to stop their dog barking. Our house is on the market, so hopefully when we've moved he will feel better. Will see what the vets have to say in the morning, and i will ask my daughter to feed him when she comes home from school.
 
CAYLA said:
I have managed to avoid bloat in all my large breed dogs (prone to it) and I have a few simple rules, (never feed when panting) and allow at least 1 hour after exerting exercise for feeding, (never use raised bowl stands) sorry I dont agree they help to prevent bloat at all, infact I think they could contribute in aiding it.
Slow any fast rapid eating down (I usually use a large flat bowl) as in super size:p to stop large amounts being gulped down at once as the bowl surface is so huge the dog has to work around the bowl to get the food (and I never feed small and often or split meals during the day) funnily enough I have always fed the one meal a day, although I know some split meals as they feel this also prevents bloat. (guess I do it all the opposite) but *touch wood* I have never had any issues nor have we with any of the rescue dogs that would be prone too.

Is he older now? how old was he when he first suffered bloat?
Mine have always been fed dry food too.
Click to expand...

Hes 2.5, 1st time was about 10 days ago, and then last night.
 
It won't hurt to moisten his food just prior to feeding but keep hom in for an hour or so afterwards. If he empties just after his feed take him out on a lead to go - then back in & relax.
 
My lily had a GDV 4 years ago ANC the vets performed a belt loop gastropexy. As far as I know the belt loop is preferably to just stitching the stomach for younger dogs. The stitches only last a
limited time whereas as long as the graft "takes" the belt loop will last for as long as the dog does. Lily is no longer allowed to compete in agility or working trials as repeated jumping puts the graft under stress. Lily does still build up a lot of wind but 2 windeeze gel capsules helps her to burp and fart.
Please email me if I can b of any more help
 
s4sugar said:
It won't hurt to moisten his food just prior to feeding but keep hom in for an hour or so afterwards. If he empties just after his feed take him out on a lead to go - then back in & relax.
Click to expand...

Will give taht go, thanks

twiglet84 said:
I think your vet is right, surgery is a good idea. Gastropexy is a procedure to suture the stomach to the abdominal wall Xxx
Click to expand...
The vets speaking to the surgeons in the morning, so will know tomorrow. thanks x
satinbaze said:
My lily had a GDV 4 years ago ANC the vets performed a belt loop gastropexy. As far as I know the belt loop is preferably to just stitching the stomach for younger dogs. The stitches only last a
limited time whereas as long as the graft "takes" the belt loop will last for as long as the dog does. Lily is no longer allowed to compete in agility or working trials as repeated jumping puts the graft under stress. Lily does still build up a lot of wind but 2 windeeze gel capsules helps her to burp and fart.
Please email me if I can b of any more help
Click to expand...

Thank you, i may well take up your offer.

Thank you all for your advice xx
 
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