I had a nine year perfectly healthy chow chow. On friday she had her routine check up and was given a clean bill of health. I dropped her off at a kennel because I went out of town for the weekend at a kennel that I have used for years. They called yesterday and told me that they checked on her at 4:00 p.m. and she was fine. When they return about an hour later she was dead. They rushed her to the vet and they said she died of "bloat". Does this sound right to anyone? Can a perfectly healthy dog just die.
2006-09-11 03:02:03 · 18 answers · asked by drubaby32698 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Bloat can be very deadly very quickly, so yes, a "perfectly healthy dog" can seem to "just die" if they get GDV. Depending on the size of the kennel, and the experience of the kennel workers, the symptoms of bloat may have been mistaken for "normal" nervousness and anxiety for being in a kennel situation.
Some of the symptoms (and not all of them may be present):
* Paces around continuously, or, lies down in odd places
* Salavating, panting, whining
* Acts as if he can't get comfortable
* Acts agitated
* Unproductive vomiting or retching (the dog may produce frothy foamy vomit in small quanties)
* Excessive drooling, usually accompanied by retching noises
* Swelling in abdominal area (may or may not be noticeable)
http://personal.uncc.edu/jvanoate/k9/bloatfaq.htm
I would concur with the recommendation to get an autopsy.
More information on bloat:
http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm
http://www.purinaone.com/dogcare_cond_atoz_article.asp?Seed=690&ArticleNumber=30017
2006-09-11 03:44:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to say this but yes. Bloat kills. However if they checked on her an hour before they should have noticed the dogs discomfort, if not the distenstion of her abdomen. It's called a gastric contusion. Look it up. It means their guts get twisted in laymen terms. There are different causes for bloat. The most common is too much food followed by water that expands the food in the stomach. I suggest you have the kennel pay for a necropsy to find just what caused it if they can determine this. I'm so sorry for your loss. You must simply be devestated. Please transport the dog to your vet. Or better yet have the kennel deliver it. The sooner the better.
2006-09-11 10:16:58 · answer #2 · answered by k9resq 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes a perfectly healthy dog can die from bloat in an hour or less.
My boss had a chow who was about 7 and she died from bloat.
It was sudden and we noticed her walking around and she just looked funny like something was not right. He took her and put her in the truck and headed for the vet and she died in the parking lot at the vets office.
Bloat is bad and takes them quickly.
If you are not sure that you believe their story have your vet do a necropsy to be sure.
Either way I am sorry for the loss of your pet. Chows are such beautiful wonderful dogs. I just love thier facial expressions.
2006-09-11 12:11:42 · answer #3 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there would have been some discomfort in the dog when they went to check on her. was she brought right back in and did she drink lots of water then be fed food. that will do it because when you give a dog to much water and then be fed food right away after that then you will get the dog to bloat. which is the guts will be twisted. it's just like when a horse does the same thing it is caled "colic". i would have the kennel pay for everything that has to be done to your dog to find out why it bloated all of a sudden. i don't board my dogs even if i go away for weeks i will take them with me. i took my dog to a kennel and when i picked her them up, i found out from the staff that they had kennel cough from another dog that was boarding there. they kept the dogs next to every ones dogs instead of moving them to the quaratine area, which in another part of the building. so i made the kennel pay for my vet bill and let me tell you they had to pay a hefty bill, but when something happens in the care of someone else and it is a place of business then they have the responsibility to care for those animals like they were theirs.
sorry about your loss and i hope you get this resolved.
2006-09-11 11:30:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A dog with bloat can die very very quickly. Bloat is when the stomach twists and gets gas caught and such. A dog can only be saved from bloat if it is caught incredibally quickly, they usually don't show symptoms until it is too late. It can be caused by eating too quickly, or when too much air is taken into the stomach while eating.
2006-09-11 12:19:02 · answer #5 · answered by me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry.
Bloat is a top killer for adult dogs. Ive heard that stress can be a factor it is possible she was stressed at the kennel. Bloat actually can kill very fast. The stomach turns and cuts off blood flow and all kinds of crazy crap.
2006-09-11 10:18:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
of bloat (aka GDV) yes however i would think they would be seeing signs of it that day, like lethargy, refusing to eat, fever and a visibly distended belly. Bloat can kill quickly, especially when not taken care of (its usually a surgical emergency) but there would have been warning signs that day.
Bloat, also known as torsion, gastric torsion, and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a medical condition in which the stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content. The distortion of the stomach constricts the esophagus, preventing the gas from escaping. The condition occurs most commonly in domesticated animals, especially dogs and cattle, but rarely in cats. Deep-chested breeds, such as Great Danes, Airedales, and boxers, are most at risk for bloat.
2006-09-11 10:07:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, bloat can kill very quickly. Older dogs are more susceptible, as are dogs that are stressed. I'd guess that the symptoms might not be noticeable with a quick check, especially if you're not looking for it.
I'm sorry for your loss.
2006-09-11 11:55:38 · answer #8 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am so very sorry for your loss. It's hardest to accept when the dog was in perfect health.
Bloat can happen very quickly, but I'd be asking questions such as what time was she fed. For your own peace of mind, you may want to take her to your vet for an autopsy.
2006-09-11 10:16:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
sorry. i will NEVER take my dog to the kennel again because when we went to pick him up he was really sick and had big ticks on him. it looked like he hadn't slept for the whole time he was there. when we got home he fell asleep in the chair upside down with his tongue hanging out. it was so sad. sorry i dont no why your healthy dog would die. i bet they knew It just acted like they didn't.
2006-09-11 10:21:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋