My dear, dear Bradley died on the vets table Thursday morning...could not be saved....he had stomach torsion. Deep chested dogs (Standard Poodles, Dobermans, Grayhounds, and many others) are very subject to this...their stomachs fill with gas for no reason, twists on the intestines and esophagus and tie itself off...the dog can die within a few hours! He acted strangely, but nothing much out of the ordinary, ...then his abdoman began to swell rapidly, vomiting everywhere...I realized then what was happening, rushed him to the vet, but he died on the table..I am heart broken. Keep an eye on your deep chested dogs at all times, and do NOT change their diets or feed them high carbs....makes this happen often. Bradley had NO different diet, but it happened anyway. Dear, dear Bradley...this is going to take a very long time to get over. This is not a question, it is simply sharing what I have learned the very, very hard way. I don't want any of you to go through the same thing
2006-11-04 16:13:04 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I'm so sorry for your loss. You must be devastated. It sounds like Bradley was blessed to have such a caring, concerned mom.
Sadly, gastric dilatation/torsion syndrome is a tragic fact of life for many large-breed, deep-chested dogs. (Answering Lauren: yes to German Shepherds, and sometimes *standard* schnauzers....but no to miniature schnauzers. They are exceptionally predisposed to pancreatitis and diabetes, however.)
Might I just add a couple of other ways to help decrease the odds of it happening?
Do not allow your dog to 'pig out' or drink large quantities of water. Small, frequent meals are best.
Do not feed people food/table scraps.
If you have a breed that is prone to this (like the ones listed), ask your DVM to 'tack' the stomach to the abdominal wall during routine spay surgeries, when we're already inside. It will make a longer skin incision, and add to the cost of the spay....but it can be well worth it. It's no guarantee a dog won't suffer a torsion later, but it really lowers the odds.
2006-11-04 16:23:57 · answer #1 · answered by A Veterinarian 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Thank you for caring. I am so sorry of your loss. The picture I use on this site is of my girl Joie who I lost last year due to seizures. As you can see, she was a boxer and I had to be careful of her getting bloat as well. Bloat is where the stomach twists completely over and usually happens on big chested dogs after a large meal or drink and then running. I can't tell you that it doesn't still hurt cuz it does but the pain will lesson. I do know what you are feeling. Loosing a pet (family member) is absolutely horrible but loosing them quick when you don't expect it is unreal. My girl was playing the day she had a seizure and never came out of it. There is a site called Muffin's Gallery dogs and cats where you can put a picture of Bradley with a few words about him. You might not be ready to do this right now or perhaps never but I do visit my girl there on occasion. Yes, I do still cry when I go there. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Bradley and your family. May he rest in peace. dog lover di
2006-11-04 16:14:46 · answer #2 · answered by dogloverdi 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bless you and your sweet Bradley!!! I know the loss is tremendous as I lost my Rascal about 3 years ago and I still miss her deeply. I pray for her every night and I truly believe I can sometimes feel her playful presence. (Maybe just hopeful, maybe not) I'm sure you had a special bond that so many people don't have with their "dogs". Well, mine are kids to me with four legs being the only difference. I hope that you can connect with some of the pet-loss support groups out there (sometimes the vet's know of local ones or check Dog Fancy magazine). I will always love my Rascal as you do your Bradley,
NOTHING will ever change that. Rejoice in the memories and cherish the fact that you were a part of each other's lives.
No words are enough to comfort, but I surely wish I could give you a hug. My prayers to you and Bradley.
2006-11-04 16:41:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so, so sorry for your loss, and sadly, I can relate to it too. This "Bloat" condition changed my familys lives for the worse not too long ago.
About a year and a half ago, before I left for school, my dad told me my dog had been up in the night throwing up and she didnt seem right. That morning her stomach swelled up like a barrel and she kept lying down in strange places and acting so oddly. But I assumed it was just a normal doggy sickness that all dogs get sometimes.
When I came home from school I heard the unbelievable-my dog had died that day. My dad had taken her into the vet and they did emergency surgery on her. Only for her to leave us shortly after that.
It's so sad that these big, lovable dogs like ours (mine was a shep/lab/collie mix) have such risks as these. Please know that I sympathize for you and understand how you feel. Bradley will always be remembered.
Thank you thank you, for being so strong and helping others become aware of something so devastating.
2006-11-04 16:35:00 · answer #4 · answered by puppyluv92 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so, so sorry for you. You made me cry for the day. I hope you are OK because I know how it is to lose a member of your family. I have 2 cats (1 -18 years old and the other 2 years old) and a Sheltie (2 years old) and I take such good care of them but the part about your pets not being able to tell you what is wrong with them and so you don't know is heartbreaking in the end. Thank you and I feel for you.
2006-11-05 05:16:20 · answer #5 · answered by Maggie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please know that I am deeply sorry for your loss. The information you're posting in invaluable to all pet owners. If I may add, I lost my dear little dachshund a number of years ago to bloat. Even though they are small and it is not as common as some of the larger breeds, they have the deep chest of many of the breeds you listed.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you Bradley. Your family loved you very much.
2006-11-05 00:08:41 · answer #6 · answered by GSDoxie3 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry about your dog.I had to have my 14 year old German shepherd put down 4 years ago due to complications from bloat.It came on very suddenly,and although the vet managed to get a tube passed to release the excess gas(his stomach wasn't twisted),Anton just continued downhill,to the point where he could not stand up and was starting to bleed in his stomach.I didn't want him to suffer-he was such a good dog-so I made the difficult decision to have him put to sleep.I stayed with him ,and my then 9 year old nephew stayed with us as well.It was very peaceful,but I miss him everyday.I keep a close watch on my other dogs ,as they are all large except for one.I wouldn't want to have to go through that again.Again,I'm sorry for your loss.
2006-11-04 17:11:06 · answer #7 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm terribly sorry. Run free Bradley....we'll miss you forever.
Labs can also have this happen to them. A common cause is extreme excercise and then eating or drinking a lot right after. Always let your dogs cool down before they drink or eat.
2006-11-04 16:17:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
So sorry for your loss. Bradley is in Gods hands now and he will be fine. I to just lost a pet on Friday (put down do to cancer). Thank you for sharing and caring.
2006-11-04 16:21:39 · answer #9 · answered by lilbit_883_hugger 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't own a dog, but you shared some valuable information with those who do. I'm terribly sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. I know how difficult it is to lose a pet. My heart goes out to you.
2006-11-04 16:16:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋