Thank God it wasn't BLOAT.

First of all, Blue is doing well.

I'm doing just OK. I'll do better after I get some sleep.

Last night I kept waking up all night just to look at him.

I was such an idiot.

I was all off schedule yesterday. I usually feed Blue, Jimmy and Nora twice a day and the little ones just in the evening.

I wait until I get home at night to feed the small dogs so that they aren't "holding it" all day or having a "poop" party.

But yesterday was just a weird day for me and I ended up feeding everyone at 3:00 pm.

Blue usually eats 5- 6 cups a day. So I gave him 2 cups and he was barking for more, so I gave him another and then 2 more after that.

Somewhere I was sure that I heard that as long as they didn't gulp down water afterwards, a dog wouldn't get BLOAT.

Last year a dog that I used to board, a big St. Bernard mix the same age as Blue, woke up in the middle of the night wanting to go out. His owners let him out and he walked outside and dropped over dead...of bloat.

I had heard that if you added a bit of water to the food, that was a good thing?

No! Now I find out that's bad to do!

I was feeding Blue on a raised platform, now I find that's not good either.

I find that I should be adding canned food to his dry, that I should split it into 2 or 3 meals a day and NEVER one large one.

I did know that:

A dog should not be allowed to quickly gobble down the food.

Also large amounts of water before or after a meal is a very BAD thing.

If a dog can't vomit or belch, he's in BIG trouble and could die within the hour.

Bloat tends to happen to large breeds, especially deep chested ones.

It's not usually seen in small dogs except for breeds like DACHSHUNDS!

(Nita! and Anne! are you reading this!)

 

I feel like we dodged a bullet.

Thank god he threw up after drinking all the water....if he hadn't,

well...I just can't let my mind go there.

But apparently he could have still bloated. We were just very lucky.

Thank you for all your kind and caring comments!

Blue really appreciated them

Below is more detailed info about BLOAT.

 

The following information is from:

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/gastric-volvulus-bloat-dogs-life-threatening-emergency

Bloat is a life-threatening emergency that affects dogs in the prime of life. The mortality rate for gastric volvulus approaches 50 percent. Early recognition and treatment are the keys to survival.

Anatomy of Bloat

Bloat actually refers to two conditions. The first is gastric dilatation,in which the stomach distends with gas and fluid. The second is volvulus, in which the distended stomach rotates on its long axis. The spleen is attached to the wall of the stomach, and therefore rotates with the stomach.

Gastric dilatation may or may not be complicated by volvulus. If volvulus occurs, the stomach may twist 180 degrees or less (technically called a torsion). An actual volvulus is a twist of 180 degrees to 360 degrees or more.

During volvulus, the pylorus is pulled out of position and becomes displaced to the left of the gastroesophageal junction. This pinches off the duodenum and prevents fluid and air from escaping from the stomach through the pyloric canal. Simultaneously, the gastroesophageal junction becomes twisted and obstructed, preventing the dog from belching and vomiting. Gas and fluid are trapped in the closed-off stomach, which becomes hugely distended as the material ferments. Interference with blood circulation results in necrosis of the wall of the stomach.

This sequence produces a number of other problems, including acute dehydration, bacterial septicemia, circulatory shock, cardiac arrhythmias, gastric perforation, peritonitis, and death.

Bloat can occur in any dog at any age, but typically occurs in middle-aged to older dogs. There may be a familial association. Large-breed dogs with deep chests are anatomically predisposed. These breeds include the Great Dane, German Shepherd Dog, St. Bernard, Labrador Retriever, Irish Wolfhound, Great Pyrenees, Boxer, Weimaraner, Old English Sheepdog, Irish Setter, Collie, Bloodhound, and Standard Poodle. Chinese Shar-Pei and Basset Hounds have the highest incidence among midsize dogs. Small dogs are rarely affected, with the exception of Dachshunds, who are also deep-chested.

Bloat develops suddenly, usually in a healthy, active dog. The dog may have just eaten a large meal, exercised vigorously before or after eating, or drank a large amount of water immediately after eating.

Signs of Bloat

The classic signs of bloat are restlessness and pacing, salivation, retching, unproductive attempts to vomit, and enlargement of the abdomen. The dog may whine or groan when you press on his belly. Thumping the abdomen produces a hollow sound.

Unfortunately, not all cases of bloat present with typical signs. In early bloat the dog may not appear distended, but the abdomen usually feels slightly tight. The dog appears lethargic, obviously uncomfortable, walks in a stiff-legged fashion, hangs his head, but may not look extremely anxious or distressed. Early on it is not possible to distinguish dilatation from volvulus.

Late signs (those of impending shock) include pale gums and tongue, delayed capillary refill time, rapidheart rate, weak pulse, rapid and labored breathing, weakness, and collapse.

If the dog is able to belch or vomit, quite likely the problem is not due to a volvulus, but this can only be determined by veterinary examination.

 

Treating Bloat

In all cases where there is the slightest suspicion of bloat, take your dog to a veterinary hospital immediately. Time is of the essence.

Gastric dilatation without torsion or volvulus is relieved by passing a long rubber or plastic tube through the dog’s mouth into the stomach. This is also the quickest way to confirm a diagnosis of bloat. As the tube enters the dog’s stomach, there should be a rush of air and fluid from the tube, bringing relief. The stomach is then washed out. The dog should not be allowed to eat or drink for the next 36 hours, and will need to be supported with intravenous fluids. If symptoms do not return, the diet can be gradually restored.

A diagnosis of dilatation or volvulus is best confirmed by X-rays of the abdomen. Dogs with simple dilatation have a large volume of gas in the stomach, but the gas pattern is normal. Dogs with volvulus have a “double bubble” gas pattern on the X-ray, with gas in two sections separated by the twisted tissue.
If the dog has a volvulus, emergency surgery is required as soon as the dog is able to tolerate the anesthesia. The goals are to reposition the stomach and spleen, or to remove the spleen and part of the stomach if these organs have undergone necrosis.

Preventing Bloat

Dogs who respond to nonsurgical treatment have a 70 percent chance of having another episode of bloat. Some of these episodes can be prevented by following these practices:

• Divide the day’s ration into three equal meals, spaced well apart.
• Do not feed your dog from a raised food bowl.
• Avoid feeding dry dog food that has fat among the first four ingredients listed on the label.
• Avoid foods that contain citric acid.
• Restrict access to water for one hour before and after meals.
• Never let your dog drink a large amount of water all at once.
• Avoid strenuous exercise on a full stomach.

more great info, here -

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

and more, here -

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-bloat.aspx