Travel First Aid Tip for Dogs: Bloat

Introduction

We are placing a series of travel first aid tips for dogs on our website.  These tips were written for the “Canine Companion – Instructions & First-Aid Tips” that came with the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs by Dr. Brooks Bloomfield of The Doctor’s Office for Pets located in Truckee, California, a well-known, highly-respected veterinarian with over 30 years of superbly practicing veterinary medicine on wildlife and domesticated animals.

There are so many times that we as pet owners long to have a great veterinarian’s advice on-hand 24/7 so that we’re not left with so many questions during stressful situations when something has happened to our beloved pup especially when traveling (doesn’t it always happen that these situations arise on weekends, too, when your veterinarian’s office is closed).

This travel first-aid tip deals with:  Bloat.

“Bloat is a life-threatening condition that needs the most immediate attention possible! 

Simple bloat is distention of the stomach, often to enormous size.  Gastric dilatation and Volvulus is bloat with a twisted stomach. 

Simple bloat can often be relieved with a stomach tube.  Twisted bloat needs surgery. 

If your dog’s stomach region is swelling rapidly and/or he/she is trying to vomit but is unable too, then bloat is a real possibility. 

Bloat patients become very ill, very quickly and the sooner medical attention is given, the better the prognosis.  Keep the patient warm (not hot) and call the nearest veterinarian for assistance.”

Note:  References to items or supplies noted in the above instructions were made in reference to the supplies that came in the Emergency First-Aid & Travel Kit for Dogs in conjunction with these instructions.

[pullquote_right]Wishing you and your fur-kids safe and happy travels this summer![/pullquote_right]