Trust your gut if you think your dog is ill

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Our sweet eleven year old Springer developed bloat this morning. As soon as we realized something was wrong, we rushed him to our 'vacation' vet where he had emergency surgery to 'untangle' his insides, his stomach and spleen had sustained too much damage and we had to let him go.  We are in shock and devastated to say the least.  Even the vet said at first she suspected other serious problems because English Springer Spaniels aren't a breed commonly connected with bloat.  Gordie didn't display 'all' the symptoms listed in the articles until he was actually at the vet, but he was sick enough that it was obvious that something was seriously wrong.   I write this in hopes that you will learn the symptoms and watch your precious pups and listen to your what your gut is telling you. 

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/gastric-volvulus-bloat-dogs

Gordie was from a backyard breeder before we knew what that meant.  He had quite a few physical problems throughout his life consistent with careless breeding.  He weathered these with his sweet temperament.  It was very hard for us to know when Gordie was in pain because he was so stoic.  Today he wasn't, and that was our biggest clue. 

One thing Gordie was, was anxious.  When he was a puppy, it showed up in his destructiveness.  He ate 2 couches and a chair cushion by cushion; he chewed molding off the walls; he ate the corners off rugs; and scratched doors.  As a pup he could not tolerate crating, but when allowed on the bed, stayed put until morning. He outgrew being destructive when trying to 'find' us and began his heart-wrenching howling and  barking.  He had to be with 'his people' and if he wasn't, he was frantic.  Recently he got shut in a bedroom.  It wasn't more than a minute before the howling began. We adjusted our lives to ensure that Gordie wasn't left alone.  Yet with all this anxiety, he was also the perfect dog.  My youngest son often took him to college where he slept with the guys, attended classes, watched skate boarding and  Frisbee golf.

[M Kol]

I'm so sorry for your loss.  You provided Gordie with a wonderful home and he sounds like he was a wonderful dog.

Our sympathies and hugs to you.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I'm so sorry for your loss Nancy.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you, Sherri.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Nancy ~ I just saw your post.  I am so sad to hear about Gordie passing.  I have shared your photos of him with your doodles over the last few years with my dear friend in Idaho who always has a springer in her life too!  He really was a very handsome springer and he was so fortunate to find such a unconditional loving home such as yours.  Thank you for giving him such a wonderful life.  I am so sorry for your loss.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you, Linda.  Springers - as your friend knows, are such gentle and loving dogs.

[Carrie king]

I truly hurt for you. We just lost our doodle to a sudden illness & we are completely torn apart about it. Thank you for sharing your story. I had always been worried about bloat.. Its so terrible to lose a dog suddenly like this. You have my sincere sympathies.

It sounds like Gordie had quite a family. The special attention you gave him.. what a good mom. He was a blessed dog! And I know he gave that back to you ten fold. I know you must miss him constantly. :-(

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you, Carrie.  You know exactly how we feel right now. The suddenness and the feelings that I should have caught it soon enough for the vet to cure him are so overwhelming, but I also know we have to accept and move forward as you are doing.  I am so grateful that I have my doodles to hug.