cassie Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 In the early hours of Sunday morning we had the fright of our lives - our 16 month old Saint Bernard Sumo developed a severe case of bloat. I was already in bed asleep but Josh (my OH) was still up. Sumo asked to go out to the toilet, so Josh let him out and noticed he was trying to vomit, but couldn't. Josh watched him a while, and saw Sumo's waistline expanding before his eyes. He ran and woke me up to come and check on him. I felt his round tummy and he was hard as a rock, so it was straight into the car and off we sped to the vet at 2am. The vet confirmed bloat. She attempted a tube down his throat to his stomach, but his stomach had already twisted so emergency surgery was the only option. It was a very long and emotional night, and I hated leaving him there Finally we got the call at 6am that the surgery had been a success! The vet performed a gastropexy while she was in there, which is when they attach the stomach to the inside wall of the abdomen so that it cannot twist again. None of his stomach lining or spleen had been affected during the bloat, thank goodness, as that can cause further complications. I'm thanking my lucky stars that: a) I've read all I can on bloat, because I know Saints are susceptible b) I've educated Josh on the initial signs and symptoms, and drilled into him how life threatening it is and how every minute counts c) We knew who and where our nearest 24 hour vet was, and called them on the way so they were prepared for our arrival and d) Obviously I'm so thankful for the amazing work and life saving skills of the vets and nurses, and that my baby boy survived this ordeal! So this is just a warning I suppose, to those who have at-risk breeds. And giants aren't the only ones susceptible, any dog with a deep chest (Dobermans, Dachshunds) can get bloat. KNOW THE SIGNS! INFORM YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE SIGNS! HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE! Sumo is home now and resting, I was able to collect him this afternoon. Oh and FYI he had eaten his normal sized dinner, he hadn't been running around or being silly before or after his meal, he wasn't stressed in any way, it just happened. We take all the precautions we can and it still happened. Please don't think it can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaCC Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Oh Cassie, I'm so sorry this happened to Sumo. I'm glad you've got him back and you and your OH knew the signs, I hope he recovers well. A sad but great warning for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harley Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 I am very happy to read that Sumo is doing ok now, how scary for you all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 (edited) Oh cassie... so sorry to read this...hugs to you & OH... So glad " our darling Sumo" is going to be ok... Phew !!!! So grateful surgery went well. Very scary though. Effing bloat is right. Errrrr. Give him a huge cuddle for me. Edited August 4, 2014 by BC Crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 I had my heart dog do this while I was on holidays... luckily she was with me, and we knew where the nearest vet was (in the middle of the night too)... but it was the longest and scariest wait ever to hear if she'd made it through the surgery! T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeelerLove Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Glad to hear Sumo is ok, must have been terrifying for all of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipsqueak Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Glad Sumo is home. Well done on your and your OHs quick actions. One of my worst fears, since we own a deep chested, sighthound mix... and why I also board our dogs at a vet when we go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
❤LovesPoodles❤ Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 So glad Sumo is ok! Bloat is my worst nightmare owning standard poodles very scary & it all happens so quickly. Lucky your OH was onto it! Might be a good time for me to drill it in to my OH again! Hope Sumo recovers quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsKatie Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 cassie - my heart sank when I saw who had posted this - so glad your boy is home and OK - bloat is one of my greatest fears and has been since we got Earl. I second your advice about knowing the symptoms - we do not mess around with any upset tummy symptoms - luckily our local 24 hour vet is very close (and knows Earl well) Hugs to you and Sumo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Oh gosh, I am so relieved he is ok! Good on both of you for picking up on it in time :) I have a bloat chart on the fridge here, and it's very helpful for remembering the symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teekay Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 cassie - my heart sank when I saw who had posted this - so glad your boy is home and OK - bloat is one of my greatest fears and has been since we got Earl. I second your advice about knowing the symptoms - we do not mess around with any upset tummy symptoms - luckily our local 24 hour vet is very close (and knows Earl well) Hugs to you and Sumo Snap Khm, I was scared to come in here and see which of your beautiful big boofers was affected. So pleased Sumo has come through the surgery. Wishing Sumo a speedy recovery and you, a good night's sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 I am SO glad he was saved. It is a beast of a thing .. that's how I lost my Kieran ... , we were too far from the vets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 (edited) Is there a sticky thread for Bloat... these are helpful net refs - mostly provided to me by an owner of Newfoundlands Bloat chart - save, print out and stick to your fridge... http://www.bmd.org/bmdcr/bloat_chart.pdf Accupressure point for bloat relief http://www.bluefrontiers.us/bloat_accupress.html Accupressure point for bloat relief (similar to above - same pictures etc) http://www.iwane.org/acp_point_v2.htm general article on bloat including list of at risk breeds http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm Article speculating on causes of bloat and stomach twists (torsion) http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/preventing-bloat-naturally/ GSD of QLD club page on Bloat http://www.gsdcqld.org.au/GSDV.GSD.htm Edited August 4, 2014 by Mrs Rusty Bucket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpette Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Oh cassie so very glad that Sumo is on the mend. What a nightmare for you all. KHM - Poor Earl. His diet is varied and contains many minerals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 That looks great rusty bucket, I'm going to remember that acupressure point. We only just avoided full on bloat a while back by putting the dog up on the edge of the couch and 'burping' her. I'm very glad it worked because we are a long way from the vet, if she had a torsion as well she would have had no chance, she was expanding very fast to start with. I'm so glad to hear Sumo is OK, my worst nightmare! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidley Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Agree my worst nightmare too, give out the signs of bloat diagrams to anyone I know who has dogs as it helps when you are stressed to double check. Glad to hear Sumo is home safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casowner Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Oh crap Cassie how horrid, that is one of the scariest words for me as my breed is highly susceptible to it and I live with a state of paranoia. I have discussed gastropexy as a preventative measure with Wolff and I will investigate it further when I get his hips done. I am so glad you were all so prepared and that the outcome was good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snippy Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Very sorry to hear this happened to your lovely dog. It certainly is scary. I remember seeing it happen to our Bassett Hound when I was younger. My parents rushed off to the vets and luckily she was able to be saved but I recall a friends' dog not being so lucky. It's just so easy to occur and especially so if your pet is a bit of a guts at mealtimes. I am so worried about it with my current dog (deep chest Samoyed) I have drummed into my BF so much he mimes what I say to him Never let him drink more than a cup of water before or after exercise. No food for 45 mins either side. No exceptions. Once he has settled right down he is allowed to drink more obviously. I'd rather a dog who is a little bit hungry/thirsty for a few extra minutes than the heartache. So glad this had a positive ending! Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashsmum Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 So glad he's okay and home again. Our greyhound bloated, and the problem was that his stomach is so far up in his chest, when I kept feeling his "belly" it was soft! I noticed his rib cage had expanded, which was when I rang the vet at 2am. I had been keeping an eye on him as he was restless, but he had vomited earlier, so wasn't thinking bloat because I knew he'd eaten a skanky bone he'd found. The symptoms can be so varied, so it's really scary. Hugs to you all and a quick recovery for Sumo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadWoofter Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 How scary for you Cassie, so glad to hear that your boy is OK. Hugs to you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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