Do you Feed and LEAVE? - Page 1

The question is asking whether shortly after feeding your dogs you leave them (i.e. go to bed)? 

Not saying what is right or wrong, but would like to share the following with you ..... I understand that there is no full complete understanding regarding Bloat/Stomach Torsion, but some years ago, after feeding my dogs in the evening, I was delayed in going to bed, and noticed one of my dogs began to act uncomfortable.  He could not settle.  It started to become evident that it was leading to Stomach Torsion.  I rushed him to the Vet, and the situation was very grim.  However, thankfully, following an operation that was risky itself, the Vets pulled him through. 

Since that day, I always ensure that I am still around approximately  30 minutes after they have eaten.  If I had gone to bed that particular evening, and therefore not noticed one of my dog's becoming uncomfortable, it would have been a tragic outcome.


Regards,
Vixen

I typically don't, only because I like to be able to let my dogs out directly before I leave anywhere or before I go to bed. So I will typically feed about an hour or so before I need to leave the house, and then let the dogs out to stretch, eliminate, mingle and enjoy the weather for about ten minutes at the very least before I let them back in, crate and go. Likewise, before bed, I'll usually feed at least an hour before I intend to turn in for the night, and then let them out for a bit, let everyone in and go to bed.

Call me paranoid, I WATCH THEM EAT. EVERY SINGLE TIME. Mine are both trained so I just let them eat together in the same room and have never had issues about one trying to steal the other's food or anything like that, but my "wake up call" was when Beau was younger, he wolfed his food down and started to choke. I grabbed him real quick and did a sort of hiemlich on him, until he coughed it up. Luckily, I also know canine CPR, which has come in handy SEVERAL times reviving stillborns a few years back.

It's wonderful you caught your dog's bloat quickly enough, it really is! I've seen quite a few GSDs that HAVE lived from it, they bear a nasty long scar for the rest of their lives. (this was a few years back as well, haven't met one who lived through bloat recently, mind you)

For breakfast and dinner I am always around for a while. At bedtime they get some sweet potato treats and then we all go to sleep. I'm a light sleeper due to being a caregiver for so many years for family members. The other night one of our dogs was restless and although he didn't seem to be in any distress, it was concerning because he typically sleeps very soundly. Although he didn't show clear symptoms of bloat, I thought his stomach seemed a little harder than normal (I tend to be overly cautious)- still not sure if it was my imagination. I gave him GasX and was up with him for a few hours. He ended up being ok, but if he started to show definite signs of bloat we would've gone to the ER. He has never before shown any signs of bloat, but you just never know...

Never.  My dogs, if they exercise, are not allowed to eat at LEAST an hour to 1 1/2 hours after running around outside, and 2-3 hours after.  Call me paranoid if you'd like, but I've seen too many dogs die of bloat between last and this year, so better safe than sorry.  I will allow my female more headway as she's not on kibble...she is on raw and lots of veggies, but still, no.  GSD is too prone to this, and one of the centers who treats my dogs is proficient in tacking down the stomach of dogs, especially the GSD, to avoid bloat...they charge 900 to do it, but not sure if I'm really for it yet...I don't know enough about it to make a comment either way.  No exercise prior to or after...for a long while.  Better they cry than me.  

Also, no, I would not feed and leave, or go to bed.  That is why I make sure they eat at 7-8 AM, eat around 6-7 PM, so they are with me until 11pm.  

Vixen, what kind of food are we talking about here - kibble?
 
Kibble - I would probably watch
 
Raw/ home cooked - no - my dogs usually lie down go to sleep shortly after eating (we don't run them) and they don't think about running around after dinner. We typically exercise them before dinner - gives them a good appetite. They behave like someone who just ate a Thanksgiving dinner.
 
Has anybody experienced bloat or torsion on raw fed dogs?

 

Does anyone know what the timeline is for bloat after eating?  I know it probably depends on the individual dog but what is the period of time that a dog is most at risk for bloating?
Judy

Hello Niesia,  This incident was most probably a Kibble diet (about 14 years ago, before I started feeding dogs raw diet only).

However, after such a traumatic experience, and seeing the dog deteriorating rapidly at the Vet's, with veins closing down etc., I am (understandably under the circumstances) not going to risk this with any type of meal.


Regards,
Vixen

My old male bloated with torsion when he was 4-he did so within 30 minutes of eating-no exercise prior or after feeding-I still think the chicken broth I pour over the kibble was the main cause-drove 95 mph the whole 20 miles to the University-he recovered fully-lead me into reseach-I try to observe all precautions I can but sometimes my schedule gets in the way-keep Gas X on hands and if I have any doubts they get a table as a precaution.