Falon's Mom Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 Well I just got back from the emergency vet. Falon Had to go for what I thought might have been a GI bleed. Her stomache was hard and her gums where white, almost as white as her teeth! The Vet checked her over and did an untrasound to see if there was any bleeding. There was none but her stomach was hard with air. She used a needle to allow the gas to get it out of her faster since her stomache did not appear to be twisted. Her gums turned a healthy shade of pink and she was back to wagging her tail and trying to lick everyone. I am to watch her threw the rest of the night and take her back in the morning. She gets two smaller meals a day, water whenever she wants it. She does not inhale her food or try to steal from the others. She gets plenty of exercise, 1-2 long walks a day plus about 30 -40 minutes of ball time after everyone goes potty. We have recently switched foods though. Took us about a week to switch everyone over, a little at a time. Could this have caused it? Did I do something wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mdaniels Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 I am not a vet, but my other dog is greyhound and they are very susceptible to bloat because of their larger size. I am not sure how prone a medium sized border collie is and it does not sound like any of your feeding or eating habits would be lending themselves to bloat. Perhaps a gastric torsion/intestinal torsion, if that is the right word? How is she this morning? Bloat symptoms usually don't just go away. Hope all is well. How very scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rave Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 It sure sounds like bloat, although I don't know if other things can cause bloat-like symptoms. What did your vet think? Did she eat within an hour of exercise? Did she take in a lot of water before or after eating? Any dog can get bloat, my medium-sized BC mix did. Her case was similar - she had the distension but caught in time before the torsion (which is the deadly part). And once the gas/air is removed, yes the symptoms do go away. I keep Gas X on hand now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falon's Mom Posted July 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 I feed her about 2 hours before or after any exercise. She is worse yet again this morning. The symptoms came back about an hour after she ate. We are going back in to the vets as soon as it opens. Will keep you all updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrecar Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 Sounds like bloat to me as well. My GSD suffered an episode, so I kept simethicone on hand as well. Sending positive thoughts and prayers for a good outcome for your dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrecar Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 Perhaps a gastric torsion/intestinal torsion, if that is the right word? Gastric torsion is the condition that follows untreated bloat. It is where the intestine twists or flips over on itself, cutting off blood supply. Bloat is definitely an emergency situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachdogz Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 Sending out prayers and good mojo for you and Falon. Bloat is a horrible thing to go though. I had two incidents, but both times the dogs were over 12 years. My girlfriend had an Irish that lived a long life, but bloated many times. They used gas-x and walked the dog until the air released. I was always told small meals, no gulping large amounts of water, and no strenuous exercise prior to or after meals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falon's Mom Posted July 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 Have some good news to impart. Falon does not have bloat!! She is still at the vets office till later today. I should have insisted that the vet take an x-ray of her and we would have seen sooner. She just has a bad case of not able to go potty. Apparently when we switched her over to the new food, it kind of bound her up. Thank you so much for all your good mojo and prayers! They deffinatly helped her. Again thank you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrecar Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 I am so happy to hear that! You must have been beside yourself with worry. You can breathe now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachdogz Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 wow. What a relief!!! And I never had a dog that was bound-up...so that's good to know. Can't believe they didn't take an x-ray....first thing my vet did for both my dogs. Anyways, I am so happy that it was not more serious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falon's Mom Posted July 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 They did an ultrasound for bleeding, since that is what it had appeared to be when she was first brought in. Since there was no bleeding she sent her home with me since they did not staff someone there over night. And yes, there was a HUGE sigh of reliefe when we found out she is not needing sergery and was able to come home again. To help keep her from being bound up again we are to wet her kibble and add a teaspoon of pumpkin puree to her bowl every morning. Though for the next few days we are to give her a rice and boiled hamberger or goat meat diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mdaniels Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 That's great news Hope she feels better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falon's Mom Posted July 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 Thank you, she already is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted July 30, 2012 Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 Thank you, she already is. That same thing happened to one of my customer's dogs - mostly ACD. She had changed food for her dogs and the dog just blew up. She said she was actually afraid she might just split open. Rushed her to the Emergency Vet in Johnson County where all the specialists are. They put her on IVs and watched her overnite. And she got better. And it cost almost $1,000. I know I have been a lot more careful about changing foods with my dogs (not that I do it very often). I was feeding California Natural and my source for that food went away. So I had to change. I went with Precise for Sensitive Dogs. I changed over really slowly and now the dogs seem to be doing just fine. I have also added kind of a topper of wet food. I also try and make the dogs wait a while before going outside again. That had to be so scary. I'm glad it is working out well. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falon's Mom Posted July 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2012 Well it did not cost me that much, thankfuly! I switched her over carefuly, over teh course of a week. Both Tessa and Brutus have had no ill effects of switching over. Now she is back to her good ol' self. A nice soft tummy is what I would rather feel then a hard one! Talked with the vet this morning and they said that we can SLOWLY add in a little kibble at a time till she is back on her normal food. Adding small amounts of pumpkin to the kibble alond with water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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