Video of Dog with Bloat-Warning-Disturbing but dog is okay now!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It seems that bloat and the ability to recognize bloat in our doodles is a concern for many DK'ers. I found a video of a dog experiencing bloat. It is disturbing to watch but will hopefully help others to save their dogs if they begin to experience this condition. Below is the text explaining the situation and the video below.

This video shows a dog in the middle to late middle stages of bloat. This dog, Roscoe, was saved. He had just arrived in a new home. The weather was warm but not hot, actually quite pleasant as this video was being filmed. Neither the person who brought the dog to this foster home nor the foster home had ever seen bloat and had no idea of what they were seeing. As soon as they realized something was wrong, he was rushed to the emergency vet. I can tell you from personal experience that we can talk to you about it forever, but until you actually experience it, it is very difficult to recognize. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and in this case the video is priceless for its teaching value. The person filming this very kindly allowed us to use it as an educational tool so other people can learn to recognize what is happening when a dog bloats.A voiceover was done to point out the various symptoms of bloat to those who may not recognize or understand what they are seeing. This dog bloated, but did not have gastric torsion. His stomach filled with air, but luckily for him, he made it to the vet in enough time that he had not torsed. They were able to deflate him and he is now home and doing well. Torsion occurs when the stomach flips over, cutting off the blood supply causing stomach tissue to start dying. Torsion requires very expensive surgery, and even if your dog survives the surgery, they may not survive the aftermath when the toxins from the dying tissue are released causing heart arrhythmias and sepsis. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take your dog to the vet if you think he may be bloating even if there is no swelling apparent yet. Sometimes there is no obvious swelling in the early stages; your dog just looks "fatter". They can take an x-ray to determine if your dog is in the early stages and treat him immediately. If the vet refuses to take an x-ray, INSIST upon it. This is YOUR dog. YOU know him very well and if the vet still refuses to take an x-ray, go elsewhere. The earlier it is caught, the better your dog's chances of living.

[Pat and Traveler]

I haven't quite worked up the courage to watch this yet...but I will.  Bloat is a worry, and I'd like to know what to look for.

[Pat and Traveler]

Okay--I got tough and watched.  I'm sure if Trav started circling and panting like this poor dog I'd get him to the vet ASAP.  Thanks for posting this, Ricki!  Glad the dog was okay.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I know I kept thinking...put the "blank" camera down and take that poor dog to the E.R!!!

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks Ricki.  Poor, poor guy!   Not easy to watch this sweet dog suffer....I'm so glad all turned out fine.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for posting this, Ricki. It wasn't that hard to watch, knowing that he would be okay.

We need to keep in mind that all dogs don't show the same symptoms with bloat, either. Some cases of bloat may not look like this. But the more info we have, the better. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Many thanks for posting this video. It is very helpful.

[Joan, Louie and Mila]

Thanks for posting this video. Glad this guy was OK

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, Ricki.  I have never experienced bloat with any of our dogs (and I hope I never do) so the video was very helpful to me. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thank you so much Riki. That was hard to watch but so much easier knowing the dog would be saved. I feel good knowing how to recognize the signs now.

[Doris]

Hard to watch, but so very important!  Thank you for posting this.

[Carolyn Shusterman]

Yes it is hard to watch a dog in pain, can't do it without tears welling up.  Is bloating something we have to worry about in our ALD?  Thank you Ricki for educating us.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Labrador Retrievers and Standard and Miniature Poodles are all at risk for bloat, so it would certainly be something you would want to be aware of, although there are many factors other than breed which affect any individual dog's risk.

Here is a good comprehensive article, which includes risk factors and breeds most commonly affected:

http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm