Is the 65 representative a speacial year? I was born in 1965 and graduated from AU with a BS in Ag Ed in 1995. Oh well, I guess I am getting of the subject of the thread.

Is the 65 representative a speacial year? I was born in 1965 and graduated from AU with a BS in Ag Ed in 1995. Oh well, I guess I am getting of the subject of the thread.

I would think a lixit would slow down the water intake. Maizy had bloat as a puppy and she's almost seven and hasn't had a problem since.

I would think a lixit would slow down the water intake. Maizy had bloat as a puppy and she's almost seven and hasn't had a problem since.

Right back atcha Ken! And yes, I am an Auburn Tigers fan with a bulldog. Scandalous.

Right back atcha Ken! And yes, I am an Auburn Tigers fan with a bulldog. Scandalous.

WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!! I could not resist doing that when I saw your name.

WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!! I could not resist doing that when I saw your name.

I always keep a pack in w/all my other bulldog OTC meds it really does relieve bloating and gas after a meal.

I always keep a pack in w/all my other bulldog OTC meds it really does relieve bloating and gas after a meal.

Thanks for all of the responses! They are very helpful. And you're correct Lynn. I do need to calm down a bit. Stressing over it certainly doesn't help. Honestly, all of the horror stories about bloating that can be read online can scare anyone to death. However, as a follow-up, I went home for lunch today and his stomach once again appeared to be somewhat distended. As before, he burped, went outside and went potty, and within minutes he appeared to be fine. It does concern me that it seems to be happening more often. I made an appointment with the Vet tomorrow just to be sure that there isn't anything unusual going on with him. He has been doing a few things in the last week or so that seems a bit odd. Lots of licking of his paws, a little more nervous/anxious at times, etc. But overall, he's eating normal, wants to play; he seems to feel okay. I just want to be sure to rule out something more serious (such as, perhaps, thyroid issues).

Thanks for all of the responses! They are very helpful. And you're correct Lynn. I do need to calm down a bit. Stressing over it certainly doesn't help. Honestly, all of the horror stories about bloating that can be read online can scare anyone to death. However, as a follow-up, I went home for lunch today and his stomach once again appeared to be somewhat distended. As before, he burped, went outside and went potty, and within minutes he appeared to be fine. It does concern me that it seems to be happening more often. I made an appointment with the Vet tomorrow just to be sure that there isn't anything unusual going on with him. He has been doing a few things in the last week or so that seems a bit odd. Lots of licking of his paws, a little more nervous/anxious at times, etc. But overall, he's eating normal, wants to play; he seems to feel okay. I just want to be sure to rule out something more serious (such as, perhaps, thyroid issues).

You should also talk with your vet about giving the dog a Tums daily or after/with each meal. The extra calcium shouldn't be enough to cause concern, it should help dispell some stomach acid which can lead to upset as well as gas. Bloat IS a twisting of the stomach, causing build-up of gas and cutting-off of circulation in the gut which eventually leads to death. Dogs have been known to bloat in their sleep and pass in that sleep so while we take precautions as you mentioned, we can only do what is reasonable and prudent. Don't put pressure on yourself to cover ever possible scenario...there are too many. If you limit his activity after eating for at least an hour, avoid foods known to cause him to be gassy, and perhaps introduce an anti-acid into his regimen, you're both doing well.

Please do not limit his access to water. That is needed to aid digestion, maintain even body temperature, keep kidneys functioning, aide dental health, etc. etc. I agree with the comment that withholding access will only make the dog want to drink MORE and FASTER when he does gain access.

You should also talk with your vet about giving the dog a Tums daily or after/with each meal. The extra calcium shouldn't be enough to cause concern, it should help dispell some stomach acid which can lead to upset as well as gas. Bloat IS a twisting of the stomach, causing build-up of gas and cutting-off of circulation in the gut which eventually leads to death. Dogs have been known to bloat in their sleep and pass in that sleep so while we take precautions as you mentioned, we can only do what is reasonable and prudent. Don't put pressure on yourself to cover ever possible scenario...there are too many. If you limit his activity after eating for at least an hour, avoid foods known to cause him to be gassy, and perhaps introduce an anti-acid into his regimen, you're both doing well.

Please do not limit his access to water. That is needed to aid digestion, maintain even body temperature, keep kidneys functioning, aide dental health, etc. etc. I agree with the comment that withholding access will only make the dog want to drink MORE and FASTER when he does gain access.

i had danes that were a constant worry...
so with your bulldog as i do with my three....
when they come from outside and their panting or a bit over heated....i remove the water and let them lick ice cubes....i keep about 12 trays ready for them and two trays have pedilyte in them....i would also use some pepcid ac to keep the stomach from becoming acid or gasey....
wilson is 52 lbs so i give him one in the am and one in the pm.... if his stomach feels tight i give him 2 then 2 more in 2 hrs till the stomach does not have that tight as a drum feel...
giving the pepcid will give you a little peace of mind..... also tums is good....i also drew some mint tea each night and they all get a cup of tea before bedtime...helps with digestion....

i had danes that were a constant worry...
so with your bulldog as i do with my three....
when they come from outside and their panting or a bit over heated....i remove the water and let them lick ice cubes....i keep about 12 trays ready for them and two trays have pedilyte in them....i would also use some pepcid ac to keep the stomach from becoming acid or gasey....
wilson is 52 lbs so i give him one in the am and one in the pm.... if his stomach feels tight i give him 2 then 2 more in 2 hrs till the stomach does not have that tight as a drum feel...
giving the pepcid will give you a little peace of mind..... also tums is good....i also drew some mint tea each night and they all get a cup of tea before bedtime...helps with digestion....

dogs should have fresh water at all times. Restricting it will only make your dog drink more when he gets access to it.

I guess I don't understand your concern. Your dog drank a lot of water, his stomach became distended? A distended stomach is not the same as what is commonly called "bloat". Bloat is when the stomach twists, that's an emergency. There really isn't any defined cause, lots of theories.

I think you need to relax, obsessing over it will make you and your dog nuts. As Jacinda recommended the Lixit allows for free access to water without the worry of gulping.

Lynn King CPDT

dogs should have fresh water at all times. Restricting it will only make your dog drink more when he gets access to it.

I guess I don't understand your concern. Your dog drank a lot of water, his stomach became distended? A distended stomach is not the same as what is commonly called "bloat". Bloat is when the stomach twists, that's an emergency. There really isn't any defined cause, lots of theories.

I think you need to relax, obsessing over it will make you and your dog nuts. As Jacinda recommended the Lixit allows for free access to water without the worry of gulping.

Lynn King CPDT

Gastric Dilation Volvus,commonly called bloat,is the swelling of the stomach from gastric lining breakdown. The breakdown is caused by the stomach twisting, Gastric Torsion, thus sealing both ends, esophagus and duodenem. The circulatory strangulation causes tissue death, and subsequent death, if not treated quickly and aggressively.
The signs are, lethargy, drooling, unproductive vomitting, distended stomach, difficulty breathing,collapse, pale mucus membranes,lack of capillary refill, coma, cardiac arrest and death.
It is caused by a variety of things; eating, followed by vigorous play/activity. Drinking unusually large quantities of water, followed by vigorus play/activity. Bacterial infection, has been also linked, in some cases to cause it.
We just lost a 4 month old puppy to it. It can come on unexpectedly, and it kills quickly. If your vet did not intubate,decompress the stomach by tubing, and initiate a gastric lavage, followed by surgical intervention, with tacking, to stablize the stomach; its very unlikely that he had GDV. Hope I don't come off as harsh, but if your vet hasn't had reason recommend surgically tacking his stomach, I'd get a second opinion, and if that vet doesn't recommend it, I would not have reason to be concerned, as much. Although, we will always be vigilent to such things, as we all should be.

Perserverance isn't a long race.
It's a series of short races,
ran one after the other.

-In memory of Casper

Gastric Dilation Volvus,commonly called bloat,is the swelling of the stomach from gastric lining breakdown. The breakdown is caused by the stomach twisting, Gastric Torsion, thus sealing both ends, esophagus and duodenem. The circulatory strangulation causes tissue death, and subsequent death, if not treated quickly and aggressively.
The signs are, lethargy, drooling, unproductive vomitting, distended stomach, difficulty breathing,collapse, pale mucus membranes,lack of capillary refill, coma, cardiac arrest and death.
It is caused by a variety of things; eating, followed by vigorous play/activity. Drinking unusually large quantities of water, followed by vigorus play/activity. Bacterial infection, has been also linked, in some cases to cause it.
We just lost a 4 month old puppy to it. It can come on unexpectedly, and it kills quickly. If your vet did not intubate,decompress the stomach by tubing, and initiate a gastric lavage, followed by surgical intervention, with tacking, to stablize the stomach; its very unlikely that he had GDV. Hope I don't come off as harsh, but if your vet hasn't had reason recommend surgically tacking his stomach, I'd get a second opinion, and if that vet doesn't recommend it, I would not have reason to be concerned, as much. Although, we will always be vigilent to such things, as we all should be.

Perserverance isn't a long race.
It's a series of short races,
ran one after the other.

-In memory of Casper