A few days ago, a freind of mine lost his SAR Bloodhound "Rooster" to bloat. "Rooster" will be greatly missed. It was a long drive to the Emergency Vet Hospital and by the time they got there, he had already died of internal bleeding. My question is, how much time do you have between seeing the symptoms and getting them to a vet? Was there something they could have done while on the way to the vet?

I'm sorry for your friend. Bloat is really scary, not the least because you really don't have a lot of time to deal with it.

I think Carol Boche has posted she keeps a bloat kit on hand to get the ball rolling until she gets to a vet. She would be a good one to ask.

Found this site on emergency bloat treatment,
http://www.kifka.com/Elektrik/BloatFirstAid.htm

Some folks I know keep a package or two of Gas-X on hand.

More info,
http://www.kifka.com/Elektrik/Bloat.htm#Top

 Quote: sarah morris

I'm sorry for your friend. Bloat is really scary, not the least because you really don't have a lot of time to deal with it.

I think Carol Boche has posted she keeps a bloat kit on hand to get the ball rolling until she gets to a vet. She would be a good one to ask.

Your correct Sarah. I keep a bloat kit as well as a long "thoracic" needle to try and relieve pressure and I.V. supplies on hand.
Depending on the "severity" of the bloat you have anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours to get to a vet.
And, I also have the mentality that if I am way out in the middle of nowhere and Max bloats, I will put him down on scene if the kit fails to help. If you cannot place the tube, 99% chance the stomach has already twisted and it is going to be a long, slow, painful death while trying to make it to the vet. I will NOT allow a dog that works his heart out for me to suffer at ALL.

The other thing, is that as a handler and even an owner, you have to be able to recognize the signs of bloat early and be able to get going FAST. If you see the dog is "off" you need to pay attention and watch the behaviors of the dog.

Best thing is to talk with a vet that will teach you how to perform procedures on your dog and be supportive about getting the 3 am phone call. Here the closest E.R. is 3 hours away.
My vet has already let me know it does not matter what time it is, he will get on the road and meet me halfway if I need it.

 Quote: carol boche

I keep a bloat kit as well as a long "thoracic" needle to try and relieve pressure and I.V. supplies on hand.

Hi Carol,

What is in the kit?

Bloat Kit

Hi Judy....

The link above is what I pretty much have and I also have all kinds of other stuff as well for first aid. I figured I would supply the link rather than try to list all I carry since a lot of vets would probably not be as open and supportive as my vet.
The needle is not part of the kit, it is a "trick" my vet showed me and recommended if I need to do it.

I also carry I.V. supplies, I.V. supplies, medications for snakebite, a surgical staple gun, stitch supplies, eyewash, earwash, alcohol (gallon) for an overheated dog that needs cooled immediately, vet wrap, gauze, muzzle, and a hammock type blanket with handles in case a dog needs to be carried a long way.

There is more, but that is all I can think of right now at work.