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Deadly Feeding Habbits
Bloat kills many dogs each year
BLOAT is a
condition where the stomach rapidly expands while it fills with gas
and water. Many times it is accompanied by TORSION where the stomach
twists over on itself and the ends actually are twisted shut - so
nothing can get in or out. The condition is an emergency, if not
treated immediately it always results in an agonizing death.
No one knows what causes Bloat. It generally,
BUT NOT ALWAYS, begins an hour or so after eating.
Eating an overly large amount of food, and/or
vigorous exercise before or after eating can contribute to the
condition.
SYMPTOMS
may be some or all of the following: Distressed or Hunched and
pained attitude, Hard abdomen, Enlarged abdomen, Vomiting, Trying to
vomit or defecate with no success, Continually looking at stomach
area, Pacing, Pale gums, Pleading look (telling you something is
wrong and asking you to fix it). If you
even suspect Bloat, get your dog to a vet immediately and get an
X-ray! It is better to pay an emergency visit fee and be
wrong, than wait and consign your dog to an excruciating death.
What can you
do to try and avoid Bloat?
1.
DO NOT
feed one meal a day; feed at least twice a day (less food in the
stomach at one time is easier to digest).
2. DO NOT
feed dry kibble, ALWAYS soak kibble in warm water until it fully
expands (take a single kibble, drop it in water and watch the gas
escape - see how big it gets - imagine that happening in the
stomach). Add a tablespoon of plain yogurt
to each meal to cut gas build-up.
3. DO NOT
allow your dog to exercise or play vigorously for at least an
hour after eating.
4. TRY
to keep an eye on your dog before and after it eats (it's not always
possible, but try).
5. DO NOT
let your dog spend its evening and/or sleep in the
backyard, the garage, or a room too far away for you to hear any
distress. We can't always be with our dogs but how awful if you were
close enough to save your dog's life, but too far away to hear its
agonizing death.
6. KNOW
your Vet's hours and phone #, plus KNOW where to get Emergency Vet
Service 24 hours a day. It's too late when you're in a panic.
7. If the Vet
doesn't think it is Bloat, because you got there in the early
stages. INSIST on an X-ray to make sure - AGAIN, better
to spend a few dollars & be wrong than let your pet die a
preventable death.
8. ALWAYS
have enough gas in your car's tank
to get to the Vet. Bloat coupled with Torsion kills! Every
minute counts.
NOTE: -
While any dog can Bloat, it is more common in large, deep-chested
breeds, which include Goldens, Saint Bernards, Labs, German
Shorthaired Pointers, Vizslas, and especially Weimaraners and
many other similar breeds and mixes, which are in the top breeds
susceptible to Bloat. Also, dogs 7 years and older are twice as
likely to Bloat as dogs 2-4 years old!
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