Bloat and twisted stomach

[japostol]

Trying to find answers. Two nights ago I lost my prize possession bitch to bloat and twisted stomach. She was 7 and on top of her game. I fed all the dogs around 7pm as usual. Then went inside..>Went to bed at midnight and heard 1 dog barking, thinking it was a pup I went out to discover it was my female 7yr old barking in her house. Never does that. I called her out and as she came noticed stomach was so bloated it was like she had 10 pups in there. I let her walk around hoping she may poop or release some gas. To no avail...she seemed in distress. Called vet and met him at clinic. After 2 seperate xrays and tube down her throat he determined that the stomach was twisted and gave me option to operate or put her down. Operate had 50/50 chance

My question to everyone here....

The only difference that night is i started switching her food over (brands i won't mention) and did about half half. That is only difference in many years. Everyone says no its not related, I just find it odd, especially in a healthy 40lb female GSP. Could it be that brand of food or just the ingredient change????

[orhunter]

Feel sorry for you and the dog. Horrible situation.

I can think of a couple things that might have contributed. Feeding so late in the day. Maybe feeding too much at one time?

Sometimes it’s just the dog.

[japostol]

Thanks...u have no idea especially when its your best bitch "our leader" as we call her.

Anyhow, yes i read about all that. Been feeding once a day same time for many years...nothing has changed. Freak co-incidence??? I don't know.

[flitecontrol]

Sorry for your loss. It's tough to lose one.

I had a griffon that developed bloat - twice. He died from the second episode because the vet was sure the sutures they used to attach the stomach to the abdominal wall during the first surgery wouldn't let the stomach twist. A necropsy proved him wrong. He was one of the best dogs I ever had. Three of the five dogs from his eight pup litter died before age five due to bloat. Not sure of the cause of death for the other two, but it might have been bloat as well.

I think there is a strong genetic propensity for developing bloat. If your dog gets it, have the vet fistulate your dog. This involves fusing the stomach to the abdomen and then it absolutely cannot develop bloat again.

[Drahthaar1108]

Sorry for your loss, I have no idea about you changing food. Forrest

[JONOV]

It just happens sometimes.

Its like a lot of things, you can do things to prevent it but sometimes they just happen.

[Misskiwi67]

I’ve seen dogs in their beds roll over quickly when startled and bloat a few hours later.

It’s highly unlikely you did anything to cause this. I’m so sorry for your loss.

[japostol]

Thank you all! I've decided to go with Pro Plan 30/20 and dogs doing well on it and stools are good. Gives me a sense of comfort after what I experienced even though likely unrelated it still leaves doubt in your head. Merry Christmas everyone.
J

[ANick]

"It's one of those things.", is a frustrating answer to the question we lash ourselves with. That voice in the head wondering, "What could I have done differently?"

Hopefully, we learn from answers we find, or lacking that, learn to not torture ourselves too much.

Everyone here that has had dogs has learned one thing, if they had a decent 'pup' and were indeed worthy of that fellowship, or, if they are on their first, they too shall learn.
As a meme that made the rounds fairly recently said:

"What's the hardest part of having a dog?"
"Saying goodbye."

I wish you good memories of your lass and a long enjoyment of the next.

[JONOV]

I’ve seen dogs in their beds roll over quickly when startled and bloat a few hours later.

It’s highly unlikely you did anything to cause this. I’m so sorry for your loss.

MissiK, I'd like your thoughts on this regarding bloat:

When my family bought our Golden Retriever (20+ years ago) the breeder, who was well known and experienced, told us to soak the food in warm water a few minutes before feeding. We were told it was to prevent bloat.

My Grandmother did the same thing with her lab.

Is there any truth behind that? I thought maybe the increased volume of the soggy food would take up room so gas couldn't expand? Not sure.

[RowdyGSP]

Sorry to hear about this. I know what it's like. I lost a 3-year-old DK to bloat. It sucks... bad. I don't see how a brand of food could cause bloat but you are right that does seem like an odd coincidence. Did your vet have any insight as to what could have caused it? Mine did not, with regards to my DK.

[japostol]

Vet said they see a lot of bloat cases, many of them in middle of night no different than my case. Doing my research I don't believe there is any real proof what the culprit is. In my case, was it weird coincidence?? Perhaps, but enough of a coincidence to not switch over to that food that i was starting to. She wasn't a fast eater either so I'm really baffled.