Yesterday our 20-pound beagle, Miles, was showing some strange signs and I'm wondering if he had bloat.

He ate a pretty typical breakfast, but I did give him part of a chicken drumstick. I usually don't feed him bones that big, but every now and then I give him one. A few hours later I noticed that he was behaving strangely and was crying a bit. I also noticed that the left side of his stomach was bulged out. I touched it and he winced in pain. He was very nervous.

I called the vet and they told me to bring him over. Unfortunately, as luck would have it, my truck was in the shop so I had to wait for my wife to rush home from work to drive us there. During this time, Miles made his way out to the backyard and took an enormous poop. Afterward, his stomach had gone back to it's normal size and he was himself again. The poop was normal looking.

Still, we wanted to take him to the vet anyway, but of course my wife showed up with a flat tire. I had to change the tire and by this time Miles was still looking good. He was playing and running, so we decided to wait on the vet while we dealt the car situation. I'm taking him in this morning. Per the vet's advice, I did not feed him dinner so he'll go to the vet on an empty stomach.

I've researched bloat in the past and he seemed to be showing the symptoms. It didn't really cross my mind that it could have been bloat until last night. Everything I read seems to suggest that it's more common in larger breeds. Although I just found some info that beagles can be susceptible as well. I suppose any dog can.

I feed our dogs a raw diet twice a day. I don't exercise them before or after meals. Miles does eat somewhat fast, so this could be a problem. I could easily break up his meals into smaller portions if needed.

But what do ya'll think? Does that sound like bloat? The only thing I can't understand is that he managed to basically poop it out of his system. I haven't read anything about bloat being alleviated by defecation.

I suppose it could have been some form of gas, but that's hard to believe given the stomach enlargement. I'll see what the vet says, but this has me a little worried. I would have never imagined him to get bloat since he's so small. If I had thought about bloat prior to last night, I would have taken him to the vet after I changed the tire. Looking back we might have just gotten lucky.

The fact that it was relieved by pooping says to me that this wasn't bloat--or at least it wasn't torsion/volvulus, which is when the gut is twisted so that passage is blocked in both directions (can't vomit or poop).

Do you think it could have been a bad case of constipation? Are his poops often dry or cause him to strain? (or did you notice that this one big relieving poop was extra dry?)

Too much bone in the diet will cause constipation.

Glad this scary episode ended up okay for you. I've been there with a dog having a real case of bloat/torsion, and it is not something I ever hope to have to deal with again. Knock on wood.

Yes, now that you mention it, part of the poop was a bit dry. The other part was more normal. That does sound like constipation could be a possibility. He had a normal poop this morning.

I agree, the pooping and resulting relief doesn't really suggest bloat and torsion. I was just shocked that his stomach blew up and he was in so much pain. I wouldn't have guessed that constipation or just bloating alone would cause that kind of reaction. That being said, he is a big baby so it could have felt more painful to him. But in 9 years of owning dogs this is the first real bowel trouble I've run in to.

Likely it was nothing serious, but it's still scary. At the very least it's prompted me to be more aware of the signs of bloat.

 Quote: John Saad

Yes, now that you mention it, part of the poop was a bit dry. The other part was more normal. That does sound like constipation could be a possibility. He had a normal poop this morning.

I agree, the pooping and resulting relief doesn't really suggest bloat and torsion. I was just shocked that his stomach blew up and he was in so much pain. I wouldn't have guessed that constipation or just bloating alone would cause that kind of reaction. That being said, he is a big baby so it could have felt more painful to him. But in 9 years of owning dogs this is the first real bowel trouble I've run in to.

Likely it was nothing serious, but it's still scary. At the very least it's prompted me to be more aware of the signs of bloat.

John,

AS a GI nurse I can tell you that in humans constipation and gas can and does cause bloating. It can even lead to intense pain until relieved. I would agree that this doesn't sound like GDV but I would definitely want to try and find the underlying culprit whether it be diet or something else.

But again, my expertise is in humans :-)

 Quote: Dana Martin

John,

AS a GI nurse I can tell you that in humans constipation and gas can and does cause bloating. It can even lead to intense pain until relieved. I would agree that this doesn't sound like GDV but I would definitely want to try and find the underlying culprit whether it be diet or something else.

But again, my expertise is in humans :-)

Dana, that makes sense. Not sure why I would think it would be any different with dogs.

I suppose it just looked worse because he's so lean and it was the first time I've ever seen something like that.



I got him back from the vet and the vet thinks he looks to be in great shape. He seems to think it was constipation. He said he felt around and his stomach feels good. Although I'm not sure you can just feel around for torsion. Maybe you can, but I would think a radiograph would be best. Regardless, I'll just keep a close eye on Miles the next few days. At least it doesn't seem to be GDV. Which is good.

John,
If the dog had bloated with torsion, he wouldn't be alive for the vet to palpate it the next day. That is good news.

It is definitely good to understand the signs of bloat, and have some gas-x (or equivalent) on hand. (the strips are really useful, as they dissolve on the tongue and you don't have to force a chewable down his throat (although my male Briard will eat a cherry flavored one....I call them his "special cookie", and if he even looks at me crosseyed or acts weird, I will give him one).

In most cases of bloat, the entire stomach would be extended and hollow. You can also get a stethoscope and listen for bowel sounds. Listen when the dog is in a normal state, you'll hear all sorts of gurgling. When there are no bowel sounds, it means an emergency trip to the vet stat!

Sounds like your little dude just had some constipation. Glad everything came out alright (pun intended LOL)

Tracy

Tracy, those strips sound like a good idea. I'll look for some. Thanks!

you can also get a liquid baby gas-x at walmart with their equate brand. It is flavored and comes with an eyedropper. Not too economical for lots of usages or larger dogs, but your beagle it would be great for. We actually will tube horses with maalox and gas-x for colic and it works well for gas colic. Might occasionally give something in your diet to help soften the stools be it a type of food or an over the counter item that is safe.

 Quote: lynne peck

you can also get a liquid baby gas-x at walmart with their equate brand. It is flavored and comes with an eyedropper. Not too economical for lots of usages or larger dogs, but your beagle it would be great for. We actually will tube horses with maalox and gas-x for colic and it works well for gas colic. Might occasionally give something in your diet to help soften the stools be it a type of food or an over the counter item that is safe.

You had to mention tubing a horse!!! Not the most fun thing I've ever done and you'd think as a GI hurse it would seem no different than putting an NG tube down someone! Something about holding the head of a 1,000# horse going "Puhleeeezzzz don't fling me across the barn! Puhleeezzzz!!!!!!"

OK, bad flashbacks over