BLOAT can be a killer

[wilko jansen]

If you experience a combination of the following:

•

Your dog retches from the throat but nothing is produced, other than a small

amount of frothy mucus

•

Your dog tries to defaecate unsuccessfully

•

Your dog adopts the ‘Sphinx’ position

•

Your dog’s tummy goes hard and / or swells up like a balloon and is as taut as

drumskin

•

Your dog is trying to bite, or worry, the abdomen

•

Your dog is very unsettled

CONTACT YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY.

Bloat is a true emergency - be prepared to

drive to the surgery straightaway. The chance of survival decreases alarmingly if you

delay getting the dog to the surgery more than 60-90 minutes after the first signs.

So whether you’re about to catch a plane, serve a meal to your family or go to bed -

DON’T. Instead take your dog to the vet.

It could save your dog’s life.

If you’d like a a copy of this poster emailed to you please send an email to

[e-mail] with BLOAT as the subject

[Angela Clarke]

Good call Willco, may I add it is a good idea to find out next time you are at your vets, if they are able to deal with this emergency. This could save precious time should you experience this, and knowing where to take your dog in advance could save his/her life.

[James Doran]

A very worthy warning indeed, Wilko.