Bloat.....Know the symptoms

_Jules_ · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:49 pm Post subject: Bloat.....Know the symptoms

After someone said they had never heard of Bloat, I realised quite a few people have probably never heard of it, so I thought it best to put this link up here for all to read. If a dog develops Bloat you only have a short amount of time to resolve the problem, so it is best to know the symptoms.....as if left it is often fatal.

BLOAT

Silke · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jules! Very helpful like all of your posts!
Silke x

_Mary_ · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks for this Jules, hopefully one of the Mods will make a sticky of it Smile

theresa · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject:

Thank you Jules my husband and i have never heard of it .

Topseyt · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:31 am Post subject:

Good post, Jules.

I knew about bloat, and take as many of the precautions as I can.

I must admit though, that I have seen instances when raised feeding bowls have been advised, and they are useful for dogs with other problems too.

I'm also a bit unsure about the advice not to soak dried food (if I read it right). I soak Charlie and Topsy's food. It stops Charlie in particular from bolting his meals down at warp factor 9 speed.

_Linda_ · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:50 am Post subject:

Thanks for that Jules Very Happy

I have heard of bloat but had no idea what to look for Embarassed

Now I do so thank you Very Happy

Mollydolly · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:52 am Post subject:

thanks for this Jules. I was aware of gastric dilation/torsion or bloat.

one of the causes is gulping in air.

my boy Maxie (border collie) had suspected dilation-torsion a month or so ago, it made him very poorly. We were very lucky as we caught it in time.

I have put it down to Maxie taking in alot of air. The previous evening he had been playing in the garden with my little girl. She was watering the garden with the hose and he was leaping up and trying to catch the water - this was going on for about 20 minutes and I thought NOTHING of it. Looking back now, I can see it was obvious he was gulping in air as well as water.

Topseyt...
It is more risky to feed dry food - the reason being that when a dog suffers from a gastric dilation or a gastric torsion the body will starve itself of water in effort to soak up the food in its stomach to help "right" itself. Obviously this doesnt actually work as it causes the body to swell. (the bodys natural hydration will be compromised as a result). So you are doing the best thing by soaking the food - it will prevent gases building up also! ensuring your dog is more content! (though dont soak with boiling hot water, use tepid as boiling water will have an impact on the nutritional content)

_Jules_ · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:28 am Post subject:

RubyLou · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:45 am Post subject:

Very, very interesting link Jules thanks.

I am also reassured by some of the advise, however was suprised by one or two things like the raised bowls, I don't use them but have also seen them advertised as reducing the risk of bloat rather than a possible caurse Shocked

But mainly (still got my food head on Rolling Eyes

) the bit about protien:

Feed a high-protein (>30%) diet, particularly of raw meat

If I am right > means greater than, therefore all the panic about high protein in certain (natural) feeds is unjustified? Confused

Obviously, I understand the potential problems of feeding growing puppies a high protein diet but going on this (very informative) fact sheet I would assume high protien levels in good quality food is actually a good thing?

Basil · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:03 am Post subject:

I think the point about high protein is a little back to front.

It's not feeding high protein particularly that helps (although obviously raw is better than dried food) but more feeding dried foods low in fillers, rice, maize, potato etc I think as these foods are more prone to 'swelling'
That's how I've always understood it anyway Confused