Bloat and Gastric Torsion in Dogs

[Pugpillow]

This video link was in an email sent to me today with a recommendation to pass it on to dog owners.  As some of you know too well, bloat is not uncommon in larger dogs and is almost always fatal unless recognized and treated immediately.  It can also happen in puppies and smaller dogs, particularly breeds who are long through the torso with narrow chests.  I would be interested in hearing if anyone has heard of it happening in pugs.

Please pass on to any dog guardians who you think might find it useful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1WrT2719yo
If you prefer to read the description from the uploader before watching, here it is:
"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."


I've also included an article which describes bloat in more detail:    http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/caninebloat.htm

[blanche]

I have not yet heard of a case of it in a pug.  I saw two cases of it as a child with my dad's Dalmatians and Danes--both breed notorious for it.

However, because I'm a paranoid freak, I feed all my dogs in elevated bowls (theoretically reduces the risk) and I don't feed dry kibble ever--I may feed kibble, but I soak it.  And no one gets to run around like a loon after eating.

I also don't teach "roll over" as it can create some issues related to torsion and bloat.

[lmcpug]

I have had friends with shep's that have had bloat and one did not fair well and the other
cost an exhorbitant amt to cure; but was at least saved.

I have never heard of any smaller dogs getting bloat.

I have heard it in shep's and even a friend of a friends lab;
but to date no one smaller.

It is a very scary and very often fatal, if not treated right away.