Bloat in Doodles?

[Sherri]

Has anyone else's Doodle experienced bloat? We got a call last Thursday from our kennel while we were out of town for Christmas that our labradoodle Jack was at the vet. After being xrayed, the vet called, said he had bloat, and Jack had immediate emergency surgery! We'd not heard of bloat being a problem for labradoodles. We got back to town yesterday, were able to pick him up from the vet, and he is home with us now. But I am curious to know if any of you have ever had this problem....
Thanks!
Sherri

[Sherri]

I hope this link will work... I just found this discussion from last June that I thought was very helpful (I know some of you saw this back then!)
Sherri

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/bloat-1...

[Heidi]

Good to hear that the kennel that Jack was at, was on top of it and noticed him. I would imagine that a lot of dogs would be there this time of year and they were watching all the dogs close enough to get him help on time. Kudos to you kennel. Best wishes to Jack for a speedy recovery.

[Sherri]

Thanks, Heidi! They knew he wasn't himself and that something must be wrong. I am so grateful that it happened during the day and not in the middle of the night, and that they were so attentive to it.
Thanks again. I think he is feeling better & better. He finally picked up one of his toys a couple hours ago! :-)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

That is what's so wierd about bloat. Do we really know what can absolutely cause it and can it just "happen" even if we do everything as mentioned to prevent it?
I know genetics play into it too, but how would one know that .as it happens mostly when they are older and how many of us would keep in touch with our breeders for that long and also what about the rescues where you wouldn't know ayway. Very scary stuff. I don't dwell on it, but do think about it every once in awhile when I see mine jump around after eating. Helps to be reminded of it every now and then tho.

[Sherri]

Hi again -
"Do we really know what can absolutely cause it and can it just "happen" even if we do everything as mentioned to prevent it?"
You know, I've been asking myself the same things... Did something happen at the kennel that I don't know about? Did they do something they shouldn't have? How could it have just "happened"??? I think I will never know the answers to those questions... But I've learned a lot about it the last few days!!
Sherri

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I'm sure you can now be our new DK authority on Bloat as I know I'd be reading everything I could get my hands on and talking to the vet about his/her knowledge of it.

You will only feel better about the kennel doing something they shouldn't have if it happens again at home and you know you've done everything you could to prevent it too. But let's hope that doesn't happen!

The one article mentioned the stress of kennelling was an important factor, but who knew he'd be stressed this time when I'm sure he's been there before and been fine.? Like you said, you may never know the answers and just be grateful it's all okay. You both had a doggie angel watching over you.

[Sherri]

I did see that about stress at the kennel in that article. But I don't think it was a factor with him. He's been going to the same place since he was a pup, and I believe he LOVES it there, based on how happy he seems when we drop him off there and when we pick him up. And when we dropped by there today he seemed so happy to see the staff, wagging his tail and giving kisses to all of them, etc etc. He just has never seemed stressed at all going there, or to the vet, either! Yep, angels were watching over!!!
Thanks, Sue!!

[Leslie J]

I know of another doodle owner on DK who lost her first doodle to bloat. You are lucky that it was caught in time- and now I guess it's small, slow meals for now on! I'm glad that Jack made it OK :)

[Sherri]

Thanks so much, Leslie!! We do feel very lucky & blessed.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I am so so sorry to hear that Jack had to go through this!! It truly is a miracle that with as many dogs as they must have had boarding that they noticed he wasn't himself and kept an eye on him.
What a wonderful place that must be. Why don't you post the name of the kennel - this way anyone in your area will know what a wonderful staff this kennel has!
Adrianne

[Sherri]

DONE!!! Thanks for the suggestion!

[Sherri]

Companion Dog Kennels in Ft Myers FL, where Jack has stayed since he was a puppy, is the one that handled this situation so carefully for us. Trish and the staff there (including Barb, Dan, Sue, and Gary, to name a few of them) were wonderful. The staff recognized that something was amiss, Jack wasn't feeling himself, they called in supervisors/managers for their opinions, called his vet, drove him across town in record time, and followed up with numerous phone calls. Their care & concern meant so much to us, and the fact that they recognized a problem and reacted so quickly, in my opinion, save our labradoodle's life. My deepest gratitude goes out to Trish & the staff there at Companion.