questions about bloat

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I didn't want to start this discussion on Kari's about her experience and her loss of Ari.
I read what was written on what not to do. My question is about the raised bowls. Charli is 28" tall at her shoulder. For her to have a bowl on the floor she was to spread her front legs so wide it hurts me to watch her. The other 2 aren't as tall but for them to have their bowls on the floor doesn't make eating easy.
My doodles chew their food, will go over and get a little water and come back to finish their dinner

I appreciate your suggestions.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Chewables down the throat or capsules? I am thinking capsules take too long in an emergency to start working. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Chewables, and there is also the kind that dissolves on the tongue. What you want is simethicone, so a generic is fine too.

[3tcmu8wc5xgqz]

This is a great topic - and I'm glad it was started!

I agree with everyone's posts, particularly Karen & Jackdoodle's.

We never fed Ari from raised dishes so I do not believe that was a factor in his case of bloat. He also was not a fast eater / drinker - he would just graze throughout the day.

Also, prior to his case of bloat, he was resting as we were relaxing in the living room, he did not seem distressed, had not played rough, nor did he eat a large meal. (Although he had eaten some about an hour prior to the bloat coming on).

This goes to show that bloat could happen at any time and very unexpectedly. And we always paid close attention to Ari - after all, he was our baby. (To say we treated him like our child is an understatement).

I'm sorry if I may have frightened some by my post about bloat, I just wanted my doodle-friends to be aware of the signs, and some possible things to prevent it. It is my hope that none of you will ever have to experience this. *Hugs*

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks for sharing this additional information.  I want to "control it" because it makes me nervous, but in your case there were no signs/mitigating factors. 

 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Kari, please don't be sorry. It "scares" me but I'll get over it. You started a very important discussion. And thank you for adding that last part --that sometimes it can happen despite our best efforts. Now I know the steps are 2 gas-x, get in the car, and call ahead to the Emergency Services to tell them I'm on my way with a dog that has bloat. It sounds like it's the same as colic in a horse. In horses it happens more frequently. I always kept Phillips Milk of Magnesia on hand and would give the horse a bottle while waiting for the vet. Trying to get a bottle of liquid down with a horse sticking its head in the air and shaking his head usually left me covered in white. But same thing -- there were things that could cause colic but just as often, it happened for no preventable reason. It sounds like Ari's time with you was wonderful. Again, I'm so sorry. I hope you'll open your hearts to another little one when you're ready. Hugs

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Kari - we are all so sorry about Ari and what you all are going through!!! We might be nervous but we all have our eyes opened now and our doodles will be safer for that. That is what DK is all about - education!!! If it wasn't for this family I never would have fostered Mickey, adopted Charli or be a part of the Doodle Rescue Collective. Who would have thought that so many doodles are left in shelters or dumped on the streets just for being what we all love? Through your loss of Ari many will be saved because we are having this discussion and being educated!

Thank you for having the strength to sharing during this incredibly hard time!!!

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin has the deepest narrowest chest going.  And he is tall (29 in at the shoulder).  I am nervous.  He does eats slow, he eats all of his food, then drinks his water, I mix in a bit of canned food or cubed meat and a bit of water at every meal, I need to double check on the citric acid, bowls at home are on the ground and at the cottage are raised (store and serve arrangement).   It has been on my mind a very long time.  I will look into the kit/Gas Ex.

[Adina P]

Rosco doesn't touch his water before his first meal at 11am.  But once he's done eating I actually have to stop him because he goes into a trance trying to clean out his water bowl in one fell swoop.  Same thing at his 4pm meal.  I used to think he was a fast eater, but then Boca-41-second-Vacuum joined our household.  She snarfs up her food and probably drinks 1 cup of water all day long.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

To bring a touch of humor into this, JD has figured out that if he drinks some water after he eats, he can then use his wet muzzle as a kind of cleaning rag to attract all the little crumbs and shreds of food left sticking to the inside of the bowl.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

We needed that!! JD you are the smartest guy!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Smart boy, JD. Clancy gets his after-dinner drink and wipes/dries his mouth on the wall - back and forth, back and forth......

[Adina P]

The whole raised bowl thing is so interesting to me...not so much the connection to bloat but I just never thought my dogs looked uncomfortable bending down.  They sniff the floor all day long in search of crumbs...same head position practically.  Rosco is 27.5" to the shoulder and he always looks about the same as any other dog eating out of a bowl on the floor, not at all uncomfortable.  I wonder if he has a longer neck :)  That's why it is baffling that some dogs have trouble with this.  Don't horses eat grass off the ground?  Is it a longer neck thing with horses?