Bloat - Page 2

Slamdunc,  do the Gas-X tablets work as well as the liquid?  I have liquid GasX with a syringe-type thing to shoot it down the throat, but the tablets sound easier.  Do you just push them down the throat?

Two of my dogs bloated in the middle of the night, and survived after emergency surgery.  One dog was screaming, I was sure he would die, but he's tough.  My youngest dog,  she had a prophylactic gastropexy done when she was 2.  After living through bloat twice, I just don't want to relive that.  She might have gas, but her stomach can't rotate now.

I have a question. What are the best ways to try and prevent bloat.

Prophylactic gastropexy performed after your dog is grown, say past 2 years of age.  Dogs who bloat are generally middle-aged and older. Mine were 8 year old male, and 9 year old female.   A gastropexy performed on my 2 year old healthy female was $400 ( she was spayed and her stomach was tacked for a total of $600); emergency gastropexy surgery was ~ $2000 each.

Asja, yes the tablets have worked well for me and fast.  I simply grab the muzzle and put 1 tablet in at a time.  I then massage the throat, and give the second tablet.  The liquid may work even faster.   There is no downside that I know tof o give the dogs the antacid, meaning no ill effects it is safe for dogs.   If in doubt I will use it and I feel better safe than sorry.  I have given it to my current male twice and a couple of times to a previous male.  My 9 year old female has never needed it, yet.

The stomach tacking is also an option I may consider with this male.

Jim

I feed only kibble and as a preventative another breeder friend some six years ago suggested soaking the kibble withhot water. I cover it and let it soak for up to 15 minutes.This has worked for me as well as other breeder to date. In horses it's colic, similar to bloat in that the intestines twist. We use salt blocks in stalls to encourage plenty of water consumption.When it(colic) happens, like bloat, the animal is in apparent distress and in the case of horses we walk them and it's very important not to let them lie down because of the intense pain that is what they try to do seeking relief.Eight years ago after walking a mare for some four hours she passed in my arms before the vet arrived.This was at 4 in the morning.Not sure if walking the dogs helps as i've never had one of mine nor the breeder I work closely with had one bloat.For that I am grateful.Hope the food soaking is helpfull.

Regards

In

RAVENHAWK,  I read somewhere that if a kibble is preserved with "citric acid"it can and usually will cause the dog to bloat.I will try to track down the article itself.

Domenic,

Just getting back to "bloat" as I've found myself wrapped(or should I say warped)in some other heated topics..Anyways, Thank you I would love to read the article. When I say kibble I should've just said RoyalCanin#24, but as a result of your post I was able to go back and get heaps of info.

Again thanks. I have a new pup arriving in a few weeks at 8 weeks. It's been several years and I've never raised one with the hopes of showing and breeding. The breeder feeds royal, do you have any suggestions for me to research? Thank you in advance.

Regards,

Ravenhawk

GasX also makes a gel paper, like the listerine ones in the small pack. Just put one on the dog's tongue to dissolve. I have a dog who bloated as a result of an obstruction to the stomach. I give him one twice a day. The other dogs get one a day, about 15 minutes before they eat.