I have personally experienced a pet with bloat; it is scary, devastating and stressful for both you and the animal. My sweet Jake was 10 years old when he had it. Thankfully we made it to the emergency room in time and he got to be a part of our lives for almost another 4 years. Jake was a large rotty/shepherd mix. Approximately 110 lbs. He was one of the lucky survivors.

Bloat is a common and very deadly condition that can affect all of our furry friends. Most commonly seen in cattle and larger and barrel chested dogs but this is far from excluding any other animal. Bloat happens very rapidly and can be fatal within 30 minutes. When the stomach fills up with food, water or air, it increases in size. An increase in pressure causes the stomach to twist in such a way that it shuts down the entrance and exit to the stomach. Nothing can enter or exit the stomach and the stomach remains full. The increased size of the stomach creates pressure on surrounding organs and can cause the abdominal cavity to twist. As the stomach gets larger, it can press against blood vessels and decrease circulation. This can even lead to death of the tissue in the stomach walls. It can also take up some of the room the diaphragm needs to expand, making it hard for the animal to breathe. Left untreated, the circulation and breathing problems can cause infections, bleeding disorders, heart failure, and even sudden death

It is important to know the symptoms associated with bloat. Animals will experience intense abdominal pain, have problems breathing and may begin to dry heave. Their ears may droop and/or their eyes may become glassy. They may kick or paw at their stomach, pace back and forth, make noises and repeatedly lie down and get back up. They may stand stiffly with their legs spread apart from one another in a wide stance. Animals can ultimately suffocate from bloat. They may also go into shock and die. The pressure on the stomach must be relieved in order to prevent fatality.

The first sign of bloat in cattle is that the animal will look bloated. Their belly and flanks will be painfully distended. Cattle that are bloated will tend to carry their tails so that they are slightly elevated. Be aware of any increase in bowel movement. When an animal is starting to bloat there is often an increase in bowel activity for a short period of time followed by a severe decrease in bowel activity. Watch your animal’s expression. When an animal is bloated it will usually carry its head low to the ground and its ears may be limp while its eyes may be glassy. Check for dehydration. The discomfort in the first stomach usually turns the animal off of water and the animal will quickly become dehydrated. The best way to see if your animal has become dehydrated is to pinch a small amount of skin between your thumb and index finger. When you release the skin, it should return to its smooth appearance in less than three seconds. If the skin still appears pinched after three seconds, the animal is dehydrated. Note if your animal is disinterested in food. Using their hind feet to kick straight up at their belly usually means the animal is uncomfortable and is trying to force gas from the stomach. Watch and see if the animal’s head is turning to look at their belly, some cattle even lick at their sides when they are bloated.

The first step in treating bloat is to treat the shock with IV fluids and steroids. Antibiotics and heart medications may be started. The veterinarian will attempt to decompress the stomach by passing a stomach tube. If successful, they use a process to wash out accumulated food, gastric juices, or other stomach contents. In some cases, decompression is done with a large-bore needle or a trocar through the skin and muscle and directly into the stomach.

In some cases surgery is required to save the pet. Once the animal’s condition has been stabilized, surgery to correct the stomach twist, remove any damaged tissue, and anchor the stomach in place is performed. The anchoring surgery is an important procedure to prevent recurrence. Post-operative care depends on the severity of the disease and the treatment methods employed which may include a special diet, medications to promote gastric emptying, and routine wound management.

The causes of bloat aren’t entirely clear; there is no known way to prevent it with guarantee. Veterinarians do know that large breed dogs with broad, deep barrel chests are more likely to develop bloat than other animals. You can also feed your pet small, regularly spaced meals, which are less likely to stretch the stomach. Presoak food in water for 30 minutes before feeding your pet. You can prevent them from drinking large volumes of water at one time. Limiting exercise after meals can help as well. When animals run with a full stomach, the stomach swings like a pendulum and has a greater chance of flipping and twisting itself. Keeping them out of the garbage or eating anything else they aren’t supposed to can also cut down on some of the developing gas, which can lead to bloat.

   Not all of us have sturdy fur coats so sometimes we may need a sweater.

The snow and ice can sometimes hurt our feet so do us a favor and try on some booties.

If we refuse to keep the booties on remember to clean any ice from between our sensitive toes.

Please remember to use pet safe Safety Ice Melt.

For those of us that tucker out from burrowing in the snow, please try to get all the icicles off that I happen to get stuck all over myself.

For those of us that have a snow addiction make us dry the ice from our noses, they are sensitive even though we like to snort and chew the snow and ice.

We may like to warm ourselves by the fire but watch out and don’t let us get too close we can burn too.

Beware of our swishing tails, they make great weapons but sure can be dangerous around candles and low laying tables.

Watch out for cords we can trip on and yank on that may be attached to a fire hazard.

Last and certainly not the least make sure we do not snack on winter time plants that can be poisonous.

Have fun and keep us safe!

In loving memory to my dear Aunt Maureen forever in our hearts.

Hoarding has become more prominent in the news lately, for those of you asking “what is hoarding?’

Animal hoarding involves keeping large numbers of animals as domestic pets without having the ability to properly house or care for them, while at the same time denying this inability. Compulsive hoarding can be characterized as a symptom of mental disorder rather than deliberate cruelty towards animals. Hoarders are deeply attached to their pets and find it extremely difficult to let the pets go. They typically cannot comprehend that they are harming their pets by failing to provide them with proper care. Hoarders tend to believe that they provide the right amount of care for their pets.

While it is a disturbing subject there is much research still to be done on the subject. Hoarding should not go unpunished but in the same respect, the one doing the hoarding has far more mental issues that need attention and care. The subtle signs of this aweful sickness need to be paid attention to:

• People who engage in compulsive hoarding have countertops, sinks, stoves, desks, stairways and virtually all surfaces stacked with stuff. When there’s no more room inside, the clutter usually spreads to the garage, vehicles and yard. Hoarding affects emotions, thoughts and behavior. Signs and symptoms of hoarding may include:
• §  Cluttered living space
• §  Inability to discard items
• §  Keeping stacks of newspapers, magazines or junk mail
• §  Moving items from one pile to another, without discarding anything
• §  Acquiring unneeded or seemingly useless items, including trash
• §  Difficulty managing daily activities, including procrastination and trouble making decisions
• §  Difficulty organizing items
• §  Excessive attachment to possessions
• §  Limited social interactionPeople who hoard typically collect items because they believe they will be needed or have value in the future.

A person also may hoard items that he or she feels have important emotional significance. People who hoard may report feeling safer when surrounded by the things they collect.

 Hoarding animals
People that  hoard animals may collect dozens or even hundreds of pets. They usually hoard animals that can be confined inside and concealed more easily. Because of their sheer numbers, these animals often aren’t cared for properly. Hoarding ranges from mild to severe cases. Clutter and difficulty discarding things are usually the first symptoms of hoarding. If you know of someone you may suspect of having this problem reach out and try to get them help as they need as much help as the animals they are harming.