Can any of the posters give me some info on a canine method for the Heimlich, if there are any. I searched the archives to no avail.
One more question. I understand that one of the signs of gastro-torsion (bloat) is the dog attempts to vomit but is unable to. Is this fact or fiction? Are there first-aid measures for bloat while on the way to the vet?
Thanks

Not the Heimlich, but I remember one humid night I was walking my two about 2 hours after eating. The were just walking calmly and sniffing like they always do. Anyway, we got home and I noticed me female got out of the car and just laid on the ground. Nothing unusual, just laying there, but it just didn't sit right with me. She got up and kinda gagged/burped and then laid down again. I paniced remembering that yes they do just lay down and don't move. So I layed her on the ground and started palpating deep up under her ribs where her stomch would be and she let out this HUGE burp and all the while got up and burped/vomited at the same time. When she was done she still looked miserable, so I palpated again and she did it again. It was ALOT of air. I wasn't doing it to save money, I truly was doing it to see if she was bloated and instead, I know I saved her life. She wasn't whimpering or anything. As soon as I saw her lay down and stay there even while my male happily ran into the house I immediately thought of bloat. After she vomited, she kinda looked at me sideways and slowly wagged her tail. I watched her all that night and the next day she was fine. I didn't have her checked...I should have, I just didn't. i have seen no reprecussions from it. I do not know if this is recommended to do in an emergency or what, but someone else may have an idea.

Have you seen an article or something about the Heimlich on a dog???

Here are some links:

Bloat info

Animal CPR

I would not recommend using CPR for Bloat, completely unrelated. Forgive me if I am mis-reading your post.

More Bloat info.

Bloat First Aid Kit

I went through this with one of my Akitas about 15 years ago. She tried to vomit and defecate without results. She became panicky and started panting rapidly. This increased the volume of air trapped in her stomach. I got her to the Vet in about 30 minutes. She survived and had surgery to anchor the stomach to the wall of her abdomen.

Pat

Thanks Patrick for that link, exactly what I needed. Don't know if I could do it but in an emergency I sure would give it a shot.

Maggie, I was just looking for the first-aid recommendations for bloat, Patrick hit a homer for me with the link.

Diann, nice job on your dog, I hope I have the same fortitude to do it if I have to.

Time is the vital element with Bloat (GVDT). My incident happened just before 10pm, closing time for the closest clinic. I called ahead and the Vet waited for us. It’s always wise to know where a 24-hour clinic or hospital is located and have their phone number handy.

Hopefully you’ll never need to use this information.

Pat

No prob, Jerry, but I thought you also requested a canine heimlich, which is detailed in the CPR link. Also the bloat link I posted had the same First aid link as well.

I have also heard of people using 'Gas-X' as preventive measures and during the initial stages of bloat, which supposedly helps relieve the building gas. I guess any hope would be welcome.

Hi Maggie,
I was so intensly interested on the bloat info from Pat that I neglected to look at the link for CPR. Thanks for the info for the Heimlich manuever. These are things we never hope to need but, "knowledge is power".

Pat, I already assembled my kit for bloat first aid. Thanks so much.
Jerry