I just got back from the e-vet, Oscar will be staying through the afternoon, maybe longer depending on how things go. Directly after his breakfast late this morning he started salivating, acting very restless, standing around almost like he needed to throw up, but instead of heaving he'd just hiccup a little. Once I realized he wasn't just going to chuck up his food, I got really nervous that it was the beginning of bloat and I called the e-vet, who said to come right in.

Physical palp of the abdomen did not make the vet think he was bloated (so it's not severe), but an x-ray did reveal more than normal gas in his stomach, his heart rate was up... and he's obviously uncomfortable... so they're going to watch him for a while, run bloodwork, give him IV fluids, a little pain meds (I was so rattled I didn't even ask what kind) and x-ray again in a few hours to see if the gas is passing on it's own. The vet seemed confident that there was a good chance the bloating would decrease on it's own, and if the re-xray shows it isn't, that's when they'll tube him.

I'm pretty concerned, because I know how serious actual GDV is (hence our rush to the vet), but the vet really made this sound like a mild case in need of close monitoring rather than panic at this point. How common is this? I thought that by the time the gas build up started producing symptoms, bloat was essentially underway and "waiting it out" was futile? Oscar's symptoms started within 5 to 10 minutes of his finishing breakfast... maybe it really is a very mild case? But why wouldn't they just try the tube method now, since they can see the gas in his belly, and not risk torsion? I guess a dog can be "bloated" without having BLOAT...

He's at one of the best vet hospitals around and I'm pretty confident in the staff... I'm just finding all kinds of reasons to be extra worried, maybe someone has some experience to share. My poor boy...

~Natalya

About pre-bloat:

Any dog, regardless of its breed or age, can have simple gastric distention (pre-bloat, in layman’s term) although this is more common among puppies that overeat. However, pre-bloat disappears after belching or vomiting the food.
from http://www.scribd.com/doc/2055568/Dog-Bloat-Treatment-and-Prevention

Any dog can suffer from pre-bloat, i.e., simple gastric distention. This is usually self-correcting with vomiting or belching. However, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Weimaraners, Irish Setters, Boxers, St. Bernards, Bloodhounds and Dobermans are particularly at risk for the life threatening full-out bloat, often accompanied by stomach torsion, where the stomach rotates on itself, sometimes entrapping the spleen and always cutting off precious blood supply to that organ. It also prevents the dog from relieving the bloated condition through vomiting or belching.
from http://www.examiner.com/x-3297-Denver-Alternative-Pet-Health-Examiner~y2010m2d1-Natural-ways-to-prevent-bloat-and-what-to-do-if-you-cant

He's where he needs to be, I think, being monitored while they wait for a burp.

Please keep us posted.

Years ago our friends Rott had this pre-bloat. I think he ate a Buck-eye or something. I carried him in for xrays because he was in a lot of pain. And sure enough, at some point he was able to belch and it was like there was never anything wrong.I hope Oscars well real soon Natalya.

Thanks Connie. I've read through a fair amount online since I posted - some giving me a little more insight, some just freaking me out more... for now, fingers crossed for a few giant burps...

He's at Angell, btw, I recall you're familiar with the MA area vet hospitals... I'm counting on them watching like a hawk for any signs of the condition worsening.

~Natalya

 Quote: steve strom

Years ago our friends Rott had this pre-bloat. I think he ate a Buck-eye or something. I carried him in for xrays because he was in a lot of pain. And sure enough, at some point he was able to belch and it was like there was never anything wrong.I hope Oscars well real soon Natalya.

Thanks Steve - now THAT'S the kind of story that makes me feel a bit better...

~Natalya

 Quote: Natalya Zahn

... He's at Angell, btw, I recall you're familiar with the MA area vet hospitals... I'm counting on them watching like a hawk for any signs of the condition worsening.

~Natalya

Oh, gosh, I have known about that hospital since it was called Angell Memorial instead of Angell Animal. I can't imagine a better place for him to be.

When Connie had torsion our regular vet did not see anything wrong with her either - she did not present the classic symptoms of bloat. The early bloodwork was normal. The e-vet operated on her 12 hours after he twist started and the damage was severe. They said that the best way to diagnose her early would have been to run hourly x-rays. They decided to operate based on the progression between 11 AM and 9 PM x-rays. The worsening of Connie's condition was very clear and easy to follow. A better vet would have caught that much earlier, IMO.

OTOH the e-vet had a very similar case right after Connie that resolved on it's own.

If it happens again I would ask the vet for hourly updates, go there and check on the dog myself to monitor the condition and ask for hourly x-rays.

Hope it's nothing and Oscar is back to his usual self in no time!

Thanks for sharing your experience Ana, it's such a scary thing to have happen, and the progression of events can be quite sudden.

I just called the e-vet and they said new x-rays look like the gas has decreased a fair amount, but there's still a little in there, and all the food from breakfast is still undigested. They're comfortable with me coming to get him in a few hours and watching him the rest of the way from home. {big sigh}

On account of the food still in his belly, I was told not to feed dinner tonight, and to switch to small, easily digestible meals (boiled chx or hamburger) for the next day or so... and then I got "the talk" about how she (the vet) didn't support raw diets - especially the fact that I feed bones, "because they take so much longer to digest"... Doesn't raw food, bones and all, take LESS time to digest than Science Diet? When I first brought him in this morning, the minute I told her what Oscar had for breakfast she switched from thinking he was bloating to thinking he MUST have a chicken bone lodged in his throat... that raw diet seems to be the cause of all canine ills these days... makes me want to scream.

So glad this didn't turn out worse, thanks for the well wishes.
~Natalya

Very glad

I did some research and it seems yogurt is highly recommended for prevention of bacteria overgrowth (which causes gas):

please check your URL bbcode syntax!!!

http://www.drkruger.com/dog-health-toxic-gut-syndrome.htm
Preventing Toxic Gut Syndrome now seemed to depend on two control measures. The first was limiting the number of pathogens in the intestine. The second was increasing the number of friendly bacteria and enzymes to keep pathogens in check. Supplementing the level of pancreatic enzymes, therefore, appeared to be one necessary step in preventing bacterial overgrowth. The second control measure for pathogens is to increase the presence of good bacteria called Lactobacillus, which normally inhabits the healthy intestine. Lactobacilli are found to thrive in milk products and are used to culture yogurt. They also help control the growth of pathogenic bacteria and have a cleansing effect on the intestinal wall.

Yep, those pesky bones! "She is on raw diet? It must be an obstruction!" Pah!

eta: my mother mentioned an injection that reduces gas almost instantly. Does not know what it was, though. She had a cat that bloated. Anybody knows what the injection is?

Natalya,
I am so glad that Oscar is doing much better and that you were able to get him in so fast. Whew, *BIG Sigh* that is such a relief to hear!

It is so good that you knew all the tell tale signs of what to look for and went in asap.

I just wanted you to know I am thinking of you and your boy Oscar, wishing for a peaceful and restful recouperation tonight!
Good job, Momma!
Take it easy,