Bloat Symptoms, close call

TJ went out to play too soon after eating. I was distracted and let him do his rough housing with Taylor. He came into the house and tried to dry heave for 20 minutes. I checked him, thinking he was choking and tried to help. He looked 'anxious' and almost frantic. I felt his stomach - it was taut - not bloated. I called vet. We decided to take no chances and went in for x-ray to check for gas in stomach and to see if twisted. After we got there I noted his stomach was softer and he'd quit dry heaving. Vet gave him peroxide and he finally vomited. My regular vet said in her mind (she is brilliant) he had a resolved 'bloat/torsion', which could have been life threatening.

Ridgebacks are lean, deep chested and because TJ is high strung, he is even more prone. So don't take any chances if you see these symptoms. You have as little as two hours to permanent damage or death. Usually surgery is the only answer after decompressing and then they often suture the gut to the abdominal wall.

Just so you'll be aware if you see similar symptoms. Now we do not allow major horse play and no running until nearly three hours after meals and now he gets three small meals a day and is not allowed to inhale water - he has often thrown up following ingesting too much water too fast.