Bloat...

That is a word no dog owner wants to hear. Unfortunately for Weim owners they can hear it more often then other breed owners.

Their are many causes for bloat, including, but not limited to:

-Eating to quickly.
-Drinking water to quickly.
-Elevated food bowls.
-Stress.
-Feeding food that can cause gas, ie, soy.
-Males are more prone then females.

For a compete list please refer to resource at the bottom of this entry.

Some symptoms are:

-Dog trying to vomit without success.
-Odd behavior.
-Shallow breathing.
-Gums become discolored, very pale.
-Foam from the mouth.
-Lethargic.
-Rapid Heartbeat.

Prevention:

-Avoid high stress.
-Do not use elevated bowls.
-Feed frequent small meals opposed to one big meal.
-Do not allow exercise for at least one hour after feeding. (Perfect for cuddling time!)

Bloat is a very serious condition. Dogs must receive immediate medical treatment ASAP! Without treatment your beloved pet will cross to the Rainbow Bridge. More often then not surgery is the only option. In some cases other measures may be taken.

Suture the stomach in a way to prevent it from twisting again (a procedure called gastropexy). If gastropexy is not performed, 75-80% of dogs will develop GDV again.

Sadly even with treatment some dogs will still cross to the Bridge. But about 75% go on to live a normal, happy, healthy life.

Some Weim owners and dog owners will never experience this sudden frightening condition, others have gone through it more then once with their dogs.

We don't want this to detour you from adopting from our rescue. We like for our adopters to be fully informed about the breed.

http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm#Prevention

http://largedogbreedz.com/your-large-dogs-health/dog-health-conditions/dog-bloat-treatment/prevention.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1571&aid=402

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1571&aid=402