Dog owners, have you had to deal with bloat?

Yes, sadly. My dog did not survive though. ):

She was a 6 year old Rottweiler.

We let her in from outside and her abdomen was completely bloated. She kind of wobbled when she tried to walk. She looked like she was in so much pain. She kept making these hoarse sounds and wheezing, and she kept trying to throw up but never could. I convinced my parents to take her to an emergency vet at around 11:00 at night, and they put her to sleep. This was January 11, I still remember how much I was crying.

I miss her so much.):

Most people aren't paranoid about it until it has happened to them. One of my dad's hunting labs had this happen when he was out in the field.... was an emergency surgery with an unfamiliar vet! Scarey stuff, since I was close with the dog as well! She was out of Wanapums Lucky Yoyo, a dog that sold for $20,000 (I remember reading it somewhere)! Dad never did disclose how much he paid for the dog, but it can happen to mutts and expensive purebred dogs! Another friend lost her Great Dane to this and almost lost another dog to the same. I will always be paranoid, even with my street rescues. (I know too much info not needed, just babbling, sorry)

I read the vet can staple the stomach to the abdominal wall to help stop bloating from happening.

Always have an antacid in your first aid kit to give to your dog when you suspect bloating on the way to the vet, it's supposed to give more time.

Also feeding a raw food or homecooked diet greatly reduce the chances of bloat. Kibble blows up in the stomach with water and some preservatives in kibble increase this risk (citric acid)

My sister did - at a rather expensive dog training camp -she had to pull out and credit that the dog was still alive when they hit the Vet ER goes to the Vet Tech also attending the camp. the dog lived into her teens (old for a German Shepherd) no reoccurrence

is that possible- yes

The best thing is to let the dog be as calm as possible for at least an hour before he/she eats and let him/her rest for a solid two hours before becoming active. I hope that helps. I have never had this happen to a dog of mine, but I've seen it happen to another dog.

Our lab Buddy had that, or he was poisoned. But all his symptoms pointed to bloat. But we got to the vet too late because the vets in my town are super idiots. Open only on weekdays, my god!!!! But Buddy is in a better place. I hope your dog recovers happily, or at least, healthily.

Yes, for anyone with a giant breed, when you spay please tell vet to "tack" the tummy. They can bloat, but not twist (which is what kills the intestine).

If you suspect your dog is bloating give gas-x and head to the vet immediately!

Not my dog, but my uncle came in close contact with it. He was handling at a show, and a close friend's airedale began to bloat. We had to rush him to the on-site vet, who rushed him to the vet hospital. Scary stuff.