06/09/2026
This is not an easy post to write.
Over the weekend, a close family member lost their dog to bloat.
She was only 6 years old.
She was sweet, playful, loving, wonderful with their children, and the kind of dog that everyone adored. One minute she was enjoying life, and a few short hours later she was gone. My family member, their spouse, and their children are absolutely devastated.
Their dogs are free-fed, meaning food is left out all day for them to graze whenever they want. That day, after eating (we assume but can't know for sure because she had access to food whenever she wanted), she went for a walk and played fetch, like any loving owner would do with their dog.
Soon afterward, she started acting "off." Not sick exactly—just not herself.
Within a few hours, she was:
• Looking at her belly frequently
• Having trouble getting comfortable
• Laying down, then getting right back up to find another place to lay
• Acting restless and anxious
• Developing very pale gums
• Showing delayed capillary refill (when you press on the gums, the color doesn't quickly return)
• Developing a distended/swollen abdomen
• Attempting to vomit repeatedly, but nothing was coming up
By the time the emergency veterinarian was contacted, it was too late.
They spoke with Cornell University's emergency service at (607) 253-3060. Cornell provides emergency care and surgery for critical cases 24 hours a day.
Even when bloat is caught quickly, emergency surgery is expensive and there are no guarantees. In this case, the estimated cost was over $10,000, and the veterinarians could not guarantee a successful outcome.
Bloat (GDV - Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus) is one of the most terrifying emergencies dog owners can face because it can happen incredibly fast.
While bloat can never be completely prevented, there are things you can do to help reduce the risk:
• Feed scheduled meals instead of allowing constant access to food.
• Consider feeding 2-3 smaller meals per day rather than one large meal.
• Slow down dogs that inhale their food.
• Avoid vigorous exercise immediately before or after meals, wait at least 1 hour before and after.
• Avoid allowing your dog to consume excessive amounts of food at one time.
• Avoid allowing your dog to drink large amounts of water all at once, especially around meal times and strenuous activity.
• Learn whether your dog's breed is considered higher risk.
• Talk with your veterinarian about preventative gastropexy if your dog is a high-risk breed.
A note for our Charlie's Canine Camp families:
When your dog comes home from camp, they may seem extra thirsty or hungry. That's completely normal after an exciting day with friends. However, we recommend allowing them a little time to settle down before offering a large meal or letting them gulp excessive amounts of water. Waiting a bit longer for dinner and encouraging slower drinking can help reduce the risk of digestive emergencies.
We also want to encourage owners who currently free-feed to consider scheduled meal times. It is okay to pick up your dog's food.
A simple feeding routine can look like this:
• Put the food down at breakfast time.
• Allow about 30 minutes to eat.
• If they don't eat, pick it up.
• Offer it again at the next scheduled meal.
Healthy dogs quickly learn meal times, and scheduled feeding allows you to better monitor appetite changes that could signal illness.
Most importantly, know the warning signs of bloat:
🚨 Swollen or distended abdomen
🚨 Unsuccessful attempts to vomit
🚨 Excessive drooling
🚨 Restlessness or inability to get comfortable
🚨 Repeatedly laying down and getting back up
🚨 Looking at or licking the abdomen
🚨 Panting
🚨 Pale gums
🚨 Weakness or collapse
If you suspect bloat, do NOT wait to "see if it gets better."
Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital immediately. Minutes matter.
Please keep my family members in your thoughts as they navigate the heartbreaking loss of a dog who should have had so many more years ahead of her.
If sharing her story helps even one family recognize the signs sooner, then her memory may help save another dog's life.
