Coping With Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Syndrome

Our 5 year 4 month GSD (Duchess) was a very healthy baby girl. On Oct 4 2007 she went to the groomier for a little over 6 hours. She was a long hair GSD which took over 2 hours just to dry her. We got home around 9pm, she was hungry and thristy so our daughter (Robyn) feed her, she did eat very fast, approx 45 minutes later our daugher noticed that she was trying to vomit.

When Duchess stood up Robyn noticed her stomach was swollen. Duchess went to the door to go outside and approx 30 minutes later vomitted the first time of many. The vomit was white and appeared foamy. She continued to move her tongue in and out and could not get comfortable. This continued and at 11:45 we contacted a nearby animal hospital.

Robyn informed them that our dog a GS, 5 year, female stomach was swollen and more so on the left side and was vomitting a white foamy substance. She repeated this information twice then stated are you sure we sould not bring her in, then stated yes that is the dog moaning. Robyn asked again if we should bring her in, then said okay. They told her to watch her for the next 6 hours and if it continues bring her in, and to only give her water. Duchess continued to vomit until approx 2:30 am however slept very restless. Next morning she seemed somewhat the same, smiling, playing and going outside with my husband.

At 7:30 my husband left to take our son to work and Robyn left minutes later, Duchess was on pool concrete deck sitting looking into the house. I contacted my husband at approx 8:00 when he was returning home, I asked him if her stomach was still swollen he stated yes, I told him my co-worker stated take a picture just in case we need it, he went out to take her picture and she had laid down in the grass and passed away. He immediately ran her in to our vet he determined the cause of death as GDV (Bloat).

Bottom line, if you have a large dog, deep chested guestion your vet about Bloat. We were aware of Bloat 5 years prior but we relied on a 24 emergency animal hospital. In addition, take you pet to the vet or hospital. Time is valuable and in our case of Duchess could have more than likey been saved.

Please don’t let this happen to your pet. Its difficult to accept when they are so healthy.