is this the bloat?

[alclemmo]

Could anyone help me out? I came in this evening and my 1 1/2 year old female boxer, Zoey, was fine. I gave her a few slices of turkey meat and then some dry kibble... maybe a half a cup of dry.

She did seem like she was eating quickly. She finished most of the dry and then started to heave. She wanted to vomit but couldn't. She panicked a little running around the house. She then went to the door. I let her out and she ran outside and began eating grass. She was gobbling the grass, like she couldn't get enough of it.

I immediately called the vet. It is after hours, so I got the emergency vet service. So, I wasn't speaking with Zoe's normal doctor. He explained to me that it could be the bloat, but he said that he didn't think that was the case. He said if it was the bloat, her stomach would be ballooning out... and she would become lethargic.

She was running around outside eating all kinds of different grass. He said she would not be running around like that if it was the bloat.

He thinks she just has a serious case of gas on her stomach. He told me to give her an adult dose of Pepcid AC and get her to come in and get her calmed down and just observe her for a while. That is what I did.

She is laying down now... actually sleeping. But before she drifted off to sleep, she would swallow and her throat would start to heave like she needed to vomit... or a serious hiccup maybe.

She did let out one big burp. But if she continues to heave like this should I take her in to the vet tonight?

As I said it's after hours, and the emergency vet that could operate on a bloat problem is about 1 hour away from me. I don't want to rush there if it is just gas.

Is this just gas? Has anyone experienced this? And if it is just gas, does she not need to eat anything else or drink for a while?

Would appreciate any advice!

 

[johann]

I hope Zoe is ok this morning. In the future, if you question bloat- I would bring her to the emergency clinic. IMO, it is better to spend the time and money than to end up with no boxer because bloat is fatal without intervention.

Hope she is doing well and over her tummy issues.

 

[Jan]

I hope Zoe is feeling better this morning. If it was bloat, she would probably be dead by now without medical intervention. :( Sorry for being so blunt. Bloat an kill within a few hours if the stomach twists. Read up on the symptoms. I believe there is information at the top of this forum.

 

[RoxiesEcho]

Bella sometimes has the symptoms you are describing. She will act like she is trying to swallow something that is stuck in her throat. She will also want to go outside and graze like a cow. For her, it just means that she has an upset stomach. I give her a Pepcid and rub her throat when it happens and she's usually better in about an hour. For her, it doesn't happen often but everytime it does, I start to panic a little because it is never during normal vet business hours and we do not have any emergency clinics near us.

 

[Gatorblu]

I have had dogs what you described, and it has never been bloat. Actually Arabella gets an upset tummy fairly often. I keep Pepcid on hand for her. I hope Zoey is doing better. I do have a question about the turkey, it something you cooked or is it something prepackaged? The deli slices have lots of stuff, like salt and preservatives that can mess with your dog's tummy. My husband has tried to give cold cuts to my dogs and it rarely ended well.

 

[Caney Creek]

Caney has had those same symptoms several times, and I ALWAYS worry that it's bloat. I keep Gas-X in the doggy pantry just for these occasions -- I pop 2 gel-caps in her mouth and wash it down with a syringe full of water, and she's always better within 30 minutes to an hour. No matter how many times it's happened though, it always scares me!

 

[alclemmo]

Zoey is back to normal!

Thanks everyone for your replies. Zoey is fine. Not exactly sure what her problem was. It could have been just an upset stomach. But my husband thinks that she may have had something lodged in her throat.
The emergency vet called several times checking on her, which really comforted me! He told me to give her a Pepcid. I did, and she did let out two good burps. She ended up falling asleep. She would still, as she was resting, try to swallow and her throat would go up and down a little... but not near as bad.
The vet kept telling me, like most of you said, that if it was bloat, there would be no question in my mind, I would be able to tell for sure. He said biggest symptom of bloat is they get a ballooned stomach and become lethargic. He said she would not be running around eating grass.
She ate lots of grass! I couldn't seem to stop her for a little bit. He told me that the grass would end up making her a little sick the next day! And it did... she threw up a pile the next morning. After that, she was back to her young self!
There was a little piece of foam in her vomit. So, my husband thinks that is what could have been lodged somewhere. The foam would have come from her bed. She is still in the stage of tearing up her bed if we leave her for alone for a while. But I tend to think if it had been the foam lodged... she would have appeared to be choking more... instead of her stomach going up and down like it was. But what do I really know!
I am just glad that it is over!
This was the first scary thing that I've been through with her and I was home alone. Not fun!
Thanks again for all the replies and well wishes!!

 

[Gatorblu]

I am so glad she is back to her normal self. The foam was probably in her stomach and upsetting it. The gagging would be from acid reflux. If she is eating the foam in her bed please take it and replace it with just a blanket. Swallowing foam can cause a blockage in the intestines and that can be just as serious as bloat.

 

[alclemmo]

Thanks Boxer Mommies!

Thanks Gatorblu! I did not realize that the foam could cause such a serious problem. I will take your advice and start taking her bed up when we are not able to supervise.

I do not want to go through that again!

PS I had read your post that night I was posting, about your little guy being sick. I hope he is much better!

Thanks again! It is so nice to have all you boxer lovers within reach! Of course my first call was to the vet... but then I immediately thought to post on here for advice. No one knows boxers as well as all you vetted Boxer Mommies!!