Bloat - Page 1

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

What i do is when i excercise him i wait 30 min. until water and 2hrs until i feed him. Then i wait 2 hrs. after i feed him to do anything else real physical. Should i do something else or up the times at all or am i on the right track?

My pup is 18 wks on tues. and we do training 2x a week at the breeders in the evening so i feed him early in the morning and nothing else until after training. My breeder fasts his dogs the day of training but i dont think a growing puppy should be fasted so am i doing it right so far for his age or should i be fasting him too the day of training. If not around what age would i begin fasting the day of training. TIA.

Jeff

What are you feeding?

Puppies shouldn't be fasted in my opinion.

im feeding Orijen LBP. Im currently not fasting him im feeding him early in the morning and late at night on trianing days. But i would like to know when i should start fasting him on training days.

Other than feeding kibble what are you asking about bloat?

Here is a link with the basics for bloat prevention. http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm

I am not sure but at only 18 weeks of age I wouldn't think you are working/training him to excessively hard so you probably don't have to worry to much at his/her age.

i thought i made it pretty clear in my first post.

I've read on a few other boards that after excercise to decrease the risk of bloat you should wait 30 min before giving water and 2 hrs before giving any food then wait another 2 hrs after feeding to start playing fetch etc. i was wondering what others people schedule/ opinions are on this and if i should be doing something different to decrease the risks.

Also what age should i start fasting my dogs on training days only. currently i feed my 18 wk pup early in the morning and late at night on trianing days and was wondering if that increases his risk at all or if it matterd at this age.

I think you're on the right track. I don't feed for 3 hours after working, and only give water sparingly for the first 2 hrs after.  I wouldn't fast a pup that age either, and would maybe start fasting at 8 months or older.

You are correct about waiting before feeding.  I never feed my dogs for several hours after any exercise or stressfull situation, i.e coming home from the vet if that stresses your dog.   I feed raw, but when I used to feed dry I never left water out with the food.  Do an experiment by dropping some kibble in a bowl of water and you will see it swell up.  The same thing happens when the dog eats kibble then drinks water ; only it can swell in the stomach.  

You have to be very careful, especially in a hot climate, when exercising dogs and giving them water.  When I work my dogs in the heat, I will give a small amout of water.   I then put them in a cool environment and wait about 1/2 hour and give a little more water. 

The biggest thing I have on hand for bloat is Gas-X.  My wife's family calls them after dinner mints....  I watch my dogs carefully, on one occassion recently my male got into the pool and drank water after I worked him.  I observed his sides begin to distend and his belly was hard.  When viewing the dog from above he looked almost like a cow, his waist was becoming swollen.  I was on vacation in Florida (luckily at my in-laws, who have lots of antacid) and immediately gave the dog two gas-x tablets.   Remember, about the only thing that will kill a dog faster than bloat is being hit by a car.  Bloating is a medical emergency.  It was Sunday and I located the nearest emergency vet and left right away.  By the time I got to the vet, about 12 minutes after I first observed his distended abdomen he was completely back to normal.  He was fine.  I watch this dog very closely after working him and always have an antacid like Tums or Gas-x in my car and training bag.

My first GSD bloated in 1994 and I did not know what it was.  It is a horrible experience for both the dog and the owner.  I look for wretching or dry heaving, which can be a sign of bloating.  If my dog begins to dry heave or throw up I stay with them.  The signs I have observed is an uncomfortable look on the dogs face, similar to my inlaws when they have gas.   The swelling or distended abdomen is a huge sign and requires immediate action.  I have had the gas-x save me on two occassions over the years, so it is always with me.

FWIW

Jim

wow thanks guys. Looks like im going to sams for some gas-x lol.

I have Tums.... They are going strait into the training bag..... Thank you!