What does bloat look like in Dachshunds

FirstAid For Bloat(GastricDilatation - Volvulous)

Prepared by:

Siefried Zahn D.V.M

Adapted from "Bloat in Large Dogs"Published by Univelt, Inc. 1983(ISBN 0-912183-00-4)"The following first aid procedures have worked for me. However, Icannot be responsible for anyone misunderstanding or misusing these procedures.I highly recommend everyone discuss bloat first aid procedures with theirpersonal veterinarians and follow their advice explicitly."BLOAT FIRST AID(This uses a Great Dane as an example, but, Dachshunds can and do bloat)

1. Introduction:

A. The procedures in this document should be used to provide firstaid only to dogs in a bloat condition. They are not intended to replaceprompt, professional treatment by a qualified veterinarian. Please readand understand these instructions completely before attempting the firstaid procedures described herein

B. A bloat kit, which includes these instructions, was preparedfor use on my Danes by people entrusted with their care and well-being.Additionally, I provide a copy of these instructions to everyone gettinga Great Dane from me. NEVER ASSUME THAT ANYONE ALREADY OWNING OR PURCHASINGA DANE KNOWS ABOUT BLOAT. Please share these instructions with othersthat are concerned with bloat and what aid they can give to dogs in a bloatcondition. I strongly believe properly administered first aid will helpto ensure a dog in a bloat condition has a good chance of survival onceit gets to a veterinarian.

PROMPT, PROFESSIONAL HELP IS ALWAYS REQUIRED IN BLOAT CASES!

C. Recommended Bloat Kit Contents:

1. ) Instructions for use
2. ) Stethoscope
3. ) Rolls of tape (3 rolls, 1 in. x 10 yd)
4. ) Stomach tube (2) (different diameters). 5 ft. length bevelled at oneend, with two holes drilled in tube 2 & 3 inches up from the bevelledend. Pre-measured and marked for each Great Dane in household (see page4, NOTE 1)
5. ) 14 gauge or larger needles (2) (1 1/2" to 3" length)
6. ) K. Y. jelly
7. ) Gas absorbent (Digel, GasEase, etc)

D. A bloat kit should be available wherever Great Danes arelocated (home, van, RV, etc).

2. Bloat phases, symptoms and recommended actions:

A. Canine Bloat (GASTRIC DILATION-VOLVULUS) is an acute diseaseor digestive problem believed to be caused by excessive swallowing of airwhile eating, gastrointestinal secretions, and gas for food fermentingin the stomach.

BLOAT IS A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY.

B. Some symptoms may be anxiety, evidence of abdominal fullnessafter meals, heavy salivating, whining, pacing, getting up and lying down,stretching, looking at abdomen, unproductive attempts to vomit, laboredbreathing, disinterest in food, and stilted gait. Severe symptoms, suchas dark red, blue, grey or white gums, a rapid heartbeat and a weak pulseare normally followed by prostration and death.

3. Determining Bloat Phases:

A. Observing the dog's behavior and symptoms and comparing to thoselisted in TABLE 1 is the initial step in this process.

1. ) Look at color of gums (subpara 3B. (1)).
2. ) Determine dog's heartbeat/pulse rate (subparas 3B. (2) and 3B. (3)).
3. ) Note the rate of abdomen distention.

B. Helpful hints in deciding the bloat phase of a dog (Practicethe following three actions on a well dog beforehand):

(1) Look at the dog's gums. If the gums are pink to red shadeand you press the gum firmly with your finger and then let go, the colorreturns immediately, then the dog may be normal or may only be in phase1. If the gums are deep red, grey, blue, or white and, you press with yourfinger, the color returns slowly or not at all, you have an extreme situation(phase 3). You should start first aid immediately!

Recommend a copy of this table be made readily available as a quickreference wherever Great Danes are located (home, kennel, RV, van, etc).

BLOAT PHASES, SYMPTOMS AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

PHASE1
SYMPTOMS:
1. Pacing, restlessness, panting and salivating.2. Unproductive attempts to vomit (every 10-20 minutes).3. Abdomen exhibits fullness and beginning to enlarge.
ACTIONS:
Call Veterinarian to advise of bloat case enroute. Transport dog toVeterinarian immediately.

PHASE 2
SYMPTOMS:
1. Very restless, whining, panting continuously, heavy salivating.2. Unproductive attempts to vomit (every 2-3 minutes).3. Dark red gums.4. High heart rate (80 to 100 BPM).5. Abdomen is enlarged and tight, emits hollow sound when thumped.
ACTIONS:
Apply first aid if Veterinarian care is more than 10 minutes away.Then, transport dog to Veterinarian immediately.

PHASE 3

SYMPTOMS:
1. Gums are white or blue2. Dog unable to stand or has a spread-legged, shaky stance.3. Abdomen is very enlarged.4. Extremely high heart rate (100 BPM or greater)and weak pulse.
ACTIONS:
Death is imminent! Apply first aid immediately. Transport dog toVeterinarian as soon as possible (even while applying first aid ifpossible).

Recommend a copy of this table be available as a quick, ready referencewhereverGreat Danes are located (home, kennel, RV, van, etc).

TABLE I

(2) Listen to the dog's heartbeat using a stethoscope if possible.If a stethoscope is not available, use your ears and eyes. The heartbeatcan be best heard on the left side of the dog's chest just behind the elbowand is strong enough to be visible on the chest wall (figure 1). A normalheartbeat is irregular when the dog is resting and often consists of adouble beat (thump...thump...thump-thump...thump...thump, etc). Using atimepiece with a second hand, count the number of heartbeats for 10 seconds.Multiply the number of heartbeats x 6 to find the Beats Per Minute (BPM)(12 beats x 6 = 72 BPM, etc.). The normal heart rate/pulse rate of a largebreed dog is 60-80 BPM.

(3) Take the pulse rate of the dog by pressing your fingers insidethe dog's rear leg just below where it joins the body. At this location,you can feel a cord-like structure called the Femoral Artery (figure 2).Count the pulses for a ten second period and multiply by six to determinethe rate of the dog's pulse (same procedure as discussed above). You canalso observe the strength of the pulse at this location.

4. Recommended actions:

A. When your dog is showing any of the bloat symptoms you should:
1. ) Attempt to determine the bloat phase he may be in.
2. ) Call your veterinarian, discuss symptoms and ask for guidance.
3. ) If you conclude your dog is in phase 1 bloat and you can reach your veterinarianwithin 30 minutes, do not apply first aid procedures. Go directly to theveterinarian.
4. ) If you conclude your dog is in phase 2 bloat and you cannot reach yourveterinarian within 10 minutes you should attempt to insert a stomach tubebefore going to the veterinarian.
5. )For phase 3 bloat, if you cannot reach your veterinarian within 10 minutesapply first aid immediately. Attempt to insert a stomach tube. If thisis not acomplished quickly, you should use Trocharization procedures torelieve the gas pressure! Death is imminent!

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

B. DOGS MAY GO TO PHASE 3 BLOAT WITHOUT SEEMINGLY GOING THROUGHPHASES 1 OR 2. PHASE 3 CAN BE FATAL IN MINUTES. BE ALERT!

5. First aid:

A. In bloat Phases 2 and 3, attempt to pass a tube through the dog'smouth into the stomach. Two persons are normally required for this procedure.

NOTE 1: Pre-measure and mark each stomach tube for each GreatDane in the household. To do this, place the dog in a sit position. Measurethe stomach tube on the outside of the dog from the front of the mouthto the last rib and mark the tube at the front of the mouth with a pieceof tape

1. Remove an eighteen inch strip of tape from the tape roll. Insert the rollof tape in the dog's mouth behind the front teeth. Ensure the tape rollhole is pointed toward the dog's front and rear. Using the strip of removedtape, tightly bind the do g's muzzle with the roll of tape in position(figure3).
2. Lubricate the bevelled end of the stomach tube with K. Y. jelly (be carefulnot to plug up the tube holes with the jelly).
3. Carefully insert the tube into the dog's mouth through the hole in thetape roll (figure 4). Some resistance will be felt when the tube reachesthe dog's throat. However, the dog will start to swallow as you push thetube deeper into the throat and the tube should enter the esophagus withlittle resistance. It the dog does not swallow the tube or the tube seemsstuck, gently move the tube back and forth until it enters the esophagus.
4. Once the tube is in the esophagus, gently blow through the tube as youadvance it toward the stomach. This will expand the esophagus and allowthe tube to pass more easily.
FIGURE 3

FIGURE 4

5. The tube may encounter a resistance when it reaches the stomach becauseof muscle spasms in the stomach valve or twisting of the stomach (torsion).If this happens, blow more strongly through the tube while turning thetube in a clockwise direction. If the tube does not enter the stomach,continue blowing and carefully turn the tube back and forth.
6. You will feel a quick, forward movement of the tube when it enters thestomach. Caution! Do not insert the tube too far into the stomach andpierce the stomach wall.
7. Immediately remove the tube from your mouth. Gas will be expelled throughthe tube as it enters the stomach (figure 5). Fluids will follow the gas.
8. After the gas and fluids stop, you should squeeze the dog's abdomen toremove as much of the remaining stomach contents as possible. To do this,stand over the dog facing the same direction as the dog. Grasp the dogwith locked wrists around the abdo men and squeeze firmly (figure 6). Continueto remove the stomach contents for five/ten minutes.
FIGURE 5

FIGURE 6

9. Cover the end of the tube with your thumb and carefully remove the tubefrom the dog. Then, transport the dog to the veterinarian immediately.

Note 2: If you are unsuccessful in inserting the tube intothe stomach after five minutes, it is probably not possible to pass a stomachtube.

B. If you are unable to pass a stomach tube and the dog displaysphase 3 bloat symptoms, you have a very short time to act to save the dog'slife. By this time, the dog will normally be gasping for air and unableto stand. The abdomen will be very distended and sound like a drum whenthumped. The heart rate will be over 100 BPM and the gums will be white,blue or grey.

C. Trocharization must take place immediately. This action cansave your dog's life. The veterinarian will appreciate the fact that youtook the Trocharization action and brought in a dog that has a chance ofrecovery.

1. Locate the last rib on the dog's left side. The stomach is located on theleft side of the dog's abdomen under the last few ribs (you will not haveany problem finding the stomach because it will be very distended).
2. Remove the cap from the 14 gauge needle.
3. Firmly grasp the blunt end of the needle and with a sharp motion, stabthe needle into the dog's stomach on the left side behind the last rib(figure 7). Gas will be expelled immediately through the needle. Do notbe concerned about hurting the dog because he is already in such intensepain from the bloat and torsion he will not notice the pain from the needle.
FIGURE 7
4. Squeeze the abdomen (subpara 5.A.(8) above), then remove the needle. Immediatelytransport to a veterinarian.

6. Recommendations to help avoid Canine Bloat:

A. Veterinarians continue to study the bloat problem and still havemany unanswered questions. Researchers prepared the following recommendationsto help prevent canine bloat. You should discuss these recommendationswith your veterinarian and other Great Dane owners:
1. Feed the dogs two or three times daily, rather than once a day, and attimes when someone can observe them after they have eaten.
2. Avoid vigorous exercise, excitement and stress one hour before and twohours after feeding. Walking is okay because it helps stimulate normalgastrointestinal function.
3. Feed dogs individually and in a quiet location.
4. Make diet changes gradually over a 3-5 day period.
5. Ensure water is always available but limit the amount immediately afterfeeding.
6. Watch for any actions or behavior that may signal abdominal discomfort(abdominal fullness, pacing, salivating, whining, getting up and lyingdown, stretching, looking at abdomen, anxiety and unsuccessful attemptsto vomit, etc.
7. Establish a good relationship with a veterinarian. Discuss emergency procedures,preventative surgery (Gastropexy (circumcostal, tube, incisional)) andoverall medical management of your dog.
If you are interested in purchasing a complete Bloat Kit, this canbe done by contacting:J & J Enterprises24710 Reynolds HighwayWillits, California95490or by e-mailing Dr. F.S. Jacobs DVM [email protected](note: this email address is no longer active)Complete bloat kits are available for $60 and hard copies of the BloatBook are $5I would like to thank Siegried Zahn D.V.M. for making the content ofthis Web Page available for reproduction.