DD...Hoping I don't cause wounds to reopen, but I still have some questions regarding bloat since I have never had to deal with it and since it's so deadly I want to be prepared. What is the likelihood of a cc being affected with this? I have looked at the links you have posted, and read over, and over the instructions. I am a retired nurse who worked a lot of years in er, but I am scared too death of this and my ability to be able to perform this procedure if necessary? I am lucky in the fact that my vet is only 10 minutes from my house, and they are a 24 hour emergency operation too...but, what if I'm not home? Is there any way to "practice" this procedure so I am confident in my ability to handle this? I am a "hands on" person...they instructions alone about how to do it are not working for me and I am not feeling confident at all about possibly someday being in this position. Any advice?
Cindy for bloat information regarding CC's I'd ask the breed veterans here. The condition is usually associated with dogs who posses a "large deep chest." Yet its still very possible for small breeds to bloat. With other conflicting information such as elevated feedings, rest before/after exercise prior to eating, genetics etc. Its hard to pinpoint. The usually top breeds are, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Borzoi, Boxers, Bassets, etc.
My first dane Duke did not show the usual signs for bloat, however one afternoon I noticed the extended abdomen. Without my intervention he corrected himself and his abdomen returned to normal. Never saw him do it again. Thor on the other hand, both times showed all the symptoms, plus the extended abdomen. The first time, like Duke, he corrected himself. The second incident, he did not, make it to the vets office in time. Thankfully both times I was home.....However..I'm afraid you should expect the worse if the condition occur, if you are not there. In most cases if a dog bloats the chances of surviving are at least 20% or less......Even with the option of surgery.
I've never used a bloat kit, and I've only seen one video that provided step by step instructions for administering the kit. I'm hands on too, lol
If I find the video I will post it. As for practice I'm not sure but I think you can buy "doggy dummys" for medical practice.
I wish we had an e-vet that was close here. Since I moved further down south, my nearest e-vet is 1hr or so away.
