A Serious Post for a Change

An incident at Camp in the past week led us to believe that it would be a good idea to refresh everyone's memories (or introduce you for the first time) to the issue of bloat. Bloat, though often unheard of amongst dog owners, is the second leading killer of our canine companions. It is a gastrointestinal medical emergency that involves either the swelling of the stomach from gas or the stomach twisting on its axis. If you've read the book or seen the movie "Marley & Me," bloat is actually what caused Marley to pass away. When bloat occurs, immediate medical attention is necessary, as it progresses in hours or even minutes.

The symptoms of bloat include:
-excessive salivation
-extreme restlessness/pacing
-unproductive attempts to vomit/defecate
-evidence of abdominal pain
-rapid breathing/panting
-collapse

Risk factors for bloat are:
-using a raised food bowl
-speed-eating (for dogs who weigh from 49 to 100 pounds)
-age (risk increases as dogs get older)
-chest depth/width ratio (dogs with a barrel-like chest, like boxers, are at a higher risk)
-having a first-degree relative that has had bloat (mother, father, sibling, or child)

If you've ever wondered why we keep dogs in their cabins for an hour and a half after they eat here at camp, now you know. Please inform us if your dogs have eaten within an hour of being dropped off at camp so that we can let them rest in a cabin before playing, and if you have any questions about bloat, do not hesitate to ask. Our counselors know the signs that bloat is occurring and do their very best to pay close attention to the behavior of all the dogs in our care. Thanks to their quick thinking, the incident this past week had a happy ending.