Bloat Scare, But all is OK

[Bonne Bouche]

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At about noon today BB started acting a little funny. He came up to me and did a little lick-ey face thing, which isn't really typical, and the first sign of bloat. He had breakfast around 10, and aside from a quick potty break or two (nice firm poop, and normal pee), there was no major activity to instigate a bloat occurrence. I didn't think much of it till he had some weird coughing and attempted retching, nothing came up. I kept an eye on him, but didn't really think it was bloat. Then he started doing a very odd thing that he'd never done before. He was walking around my whole house licking the floor where it met the walls. He kept licking around all corners of my house licking up dirt particles, spider webs, and whatever he could find, and coughing occasionally. I tried to correct him and pull him away, but back he went, licking the walls and anything he could. It was so very strange.

We just moved, so we don't have a regular vet here. I called the one we hoped to take him to and they said the recommended we take him to another clinic as they had no openings today to take him in. So we had to go to the emergency clinic instead. Upon arriving at the clinic, BB quickly forgot all his symptoms, and was his typical " I LOVE PEOPLE, I LOVE STRANGERS"-self. While I'm standing there panicking he's going to die, he's loving up anyone and everyone in the waiting room. And I feel so silly thinking that he's going to die when he's just being the biggest sweetheart to all of the staff and jumping up and greeting everyone (still can't get him to stop jumping up).

 

After we get settled into our exam room, the Vet comes in and says that even though he is acting fine, he still could have bloat. He palpated his stomach and did a quick once over, said his stomach was not too big, but not small either. He said with signs of the two major bloat symptoms he recommended X-rays.

So off BB went to get his belly x-rayed. When he came back with the X-rays, diganoses showed no bloat (YAYYYY!) but instead that BB was "bloated" as in gassy. Yes. Gas. Vet said that he's not surprised he was showing symptoms of distress due to the gas, as apparently his entire small intestine was filled with gas.

(I guess all the black "holes" or spots on the x-ray are gas trapped in the intestines)

Rx? An enema and some Metoclopramide. Enema to help clear out the system to clear the gas, and metoclopramide to help speed up his digestion as a gut stimulant.

 

A half of a day of worry, $300, and all he is is gassy. I feel so silly, but I guess at the end of the day, we're better off safe than sorry.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad BB is okay, and I agree, better safe than sorry, at any price. I know you'd rather be telling this story than the opposite one, where you didn't go to the emergency vet and it was something awful. When you think of it that way, the $300 is a small price to pay!

[Bonne Bouche]

I totally agree, $300 is clearly worth it... Any home remedies for reducing gas, or reasons why he might have it? I know your well versed in the food issues, and would love any suggestions regarding this. (BB eats 4 cups of Taste of the Wild as per his 7 month 50 lb). He does best on Pacific Stream and Sierra Mt. :

Crude Protein	25.0%	Minimum
Crude Fat	15.0%	Minimum
Crude Fiber	4.0%	Maximum
Moisture	10.0%	Maximum
Zinc	150 mg/kg	Minimum
Selenium	0.4 mg/kg	Minimum
Vitamin E	150 IU/kg	Minimum
Taurine *	.05%	Minimum
Omega-6 Fatty Acids *	2.4%	Minimum
Omega-3 Fatty Acids *	0.3%	Minimum

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There's nothing in these nutrient percentages that would cause gas in particular, although there may be some ingredient that doesn't agree with BB. Gas can be caused by other factors, including the speed at which he eats and his exercising too soon after (or even before) a meal. We can do some research on what might be causing the gas and see if we can come up with some things you can change to help keep him from becoming this uncomfortable again.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think dogs gulp so much they would be prone to swallow air.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Carla, how scary.  I'm happy to hear it was only gas.  I agree with others, it is better to be safe than sorry.

[Jennifer and Jack]

So glad she is okay..man that is a lot of gas.. Ouchie.... I am so glad she is feeling better. you did the right thing!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Wow, I am so glad to hear that BB did not have bloat because I think once dogs get that they tend to be susceptible to it. I hope you have pet insurance to help you with the bill. I am just so happy to hear that he is okay. Gas pains can hurt a lot and that x-ray shows he was suffering from a lot of gas. Did the vet have any idea why?

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

So glad that this turned out well but I'm confused - what are the two symptoms of bloat?  What is a licky face thing?  Just want to know - just in case!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Me too.

[Bonne Bouche]

According to the website Karen suggested, Here are the most common symptoms of bloat:

Symptoms

Typical symptoms often include some (but not necessarily all) of the following, according to the links below.  Unfortunately, from the onset of the first symptoms you have very little time (sometimes minutes, sometimes hours) to get immediate medical attention for your dog.   Know your dog and know when it's not acting right.

	Attempts to vomit (usually unsuccessful); may occur every 5-30 minutes This seems to be one of the most common symptoms & has been referred to as the "hallmark symptom" "Unsuccessful vomiting" means either nothing comes up or possibly just foam and/or mucous comes up  Some reports say that it can sound like a repeated cough   New
	Doesn't act like usual self Perhaps the earliest warning sign and may be the only sign that almost always occurs We've had several reports that dogs who bloated asked to go outside in the middle of the night.  If this is combined with frequent attempts to vomit, and if your dog doesn't typically ask to go outside in the middle of the night, bloat is a very real possibility.
	Significant anxiety and restlessness One of the earliest warning signs and seems fairly typical
	"Hunched up" or "roached up" appearance This seems to occur fairly frequently
	Lack of normal gurgling and digestive sounds in the tummy Many dog owners report this after putting their ear to their dog's tummy. If your dog shows any bloat symptoms, you may want to try this immediately.
	Bloated abdomen that may feel tight (like a drum) Despite the term "bloat," many times this symptom never occurs or is not apparent
	Pale or off-color gums Dark red in early stages, white or blue in later stages
	Coughing
	Unproductive gagging
	Heavy salivating or drooling
	Foamy mucous around the lips, or vomiting foamy mucous
	Unproductive attempts to defecate
	Whining
	Pacing
	Licking the air
	Seeking a hiding place
	Looking at their side or other evidence of abdominal pain or discomfort
	May refuse to lie down or even sit down
	May stand spread-legged
	May curl up in a ball or go into a praying or crouched position
	May attempt to eat small stones and twigs
	Drinking excessively
	Heavy or rapid panting
	Shallow breathing
	Cold mouth membranes
	Apparent weakness; unable to stand or has a spread-legged stance Especially in advanced stage
	Accelerated heartbeat Heart rate increases as bloating progresses
	Weak pulse
	Collapse

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You know, I was just looking back at the bloat website I use for reference, and an abnormal accumulation of gas can bring on bloat. So it's a good thing you brought him in.

Here's a link to my favorite reference site for Bloat in Dogs.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, Karen. AGAIN  ;o)