HOTLR Gives Four Paws Up to the Schmitt Family

Volunteering as a foster parent for HOTLR can be such a rewarding experience. If you love Labs, fostering is both easy and almost selfish. What could be more fun than to meet many happy, hopeful Labradors throughout the year, take care of them in your own home and see them safely into their forever homes?

Of course, it can be challenging as well. Putting your heart out there over and over for a new pup and all the while knowing that you are only his temporary family can make parting with your foster heartbreaking. Sometimes you may have a difficult pup that doesn't quite fit into your family dynamic. Maybe the dog has no house manners, or maybe he requires a lot of attention that you aren't able to give, maybe you are uncomfortable fostering a sick or injured dog. The good news is that just as each dog has the perfect forever family, we are fortunate that most of our rescue dogs also find the perfect foster family.

Such is the case with HOTLR's sweet boy Haden. Haden came to HOTLR in late January. As with a lot of our rescue's Haden was heartworm positive. Heartworm treatment takes approximately 8 weeks. Because of this, we knew that Haden would be around awhile. Enter the Schmitt family who became Haden's foster family.

Many of you may have heard of HOTLR's Haden (click on this link & scroll down to view his bio). The condition that caused him to have emergency surgery is one that is fairly common in large breed dogs. Bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus) is the second leading killer in dogs after cancer. Bloat (gastric dilatation) occurs when the stomach becomes full of air and puts pressure on the diaphragm and other organs. Due to the amount of pressure in the stomach, the air cannot find an adequate way to escape. Normally burping relieves the air and pressure, but for some reason, dogs experiencing bloat cannot burp. As the pressure continues to build with no escape of air, the stomach can become twisted (volvulus) and cut off blood supply to the heart and vital organs making up the digestive process. If the stomach does not become untwisted and the pressure released, the lack of oxygen to the organs can result in the death of critical tissues of the stomach. When this happens, the dog has very little time for a corrective procedure. This is an extremely serious condition and can kill a dog within several hours if veterinary care and emergency surgery are not performed immediately. This is the scenario that happened to Haden not once, but twice in one week.

There are many situations that can cause bloat. Overeating or eating too rapidly, playing or exercising hard one hour before or within two hours after eating a meal, or ingesting large quantities of water immediately following a meal. Labradors are traditionally considered deep-chested dogs are more susceptible to bloat than smaller dogs. Other breeds that have a predilection to bloat are Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Weimaraners. Unfortunately, bloat can sometimes occur for no reason at all and may also occur in any breed, no matter the size.

Symptoms of bloat include, salivation, obvious signs of discomfort such as pacing, groaning or stretching. The dog may heave again and again, however is unable to vomit. Abdominal swelling and pain will also occur along with rapid shallow breathing. Once the belly twists, the animal will develop symptoms of shock including pale mucous membranes, weak pulses and eventual collapse.

Treatment includes IV fluids and attempts at relieving the pressure in the stomach via a tube passed through mouth and esophagus into the stomach or by inserting a large needle into the stomach. Once pressure is relieved, xrays will be taken to determine whether the stomach has twisted. If the stomach has twisted, abdominal surgery will be performed to assess the damage to the organs and to reposition the stomach. Because animals that experience bloat once are susceptible to developing the condition again, the stomach will also be "tacked" in such a way that will not allow the stomach to twist again, should another episode occur.

Unfortunately, for Haden although his stomach was tacked the first time, the tacking did not hold which allowed him to develop the condition again. If it weren't for the quick action on the part of Haden's foster parents Heather and Chris Schmitt, Haden most likely would not have survived either episode.

So, while volunteering as a foster parent 99% of the time results in a low stress friendship with a deserving rescue, sometimes unforeseen problems can occur. The foster packets and CDs that we provide to all foster parents and adopters have a wealth of information that has been carefully selected to alert our families of potential problems such as Haden's. If you haven't had the opportunity to look at your CD recently, bust it out and review it again. We all love the HOTLR dogs and know that they are special, but it's good to remember that even the most special dogs can develop serious problems while under even the best of care - just like any other dog. Although these situations are rare, it's good to be prepared.

HOTLR would like to take a moment to thank Heather and Chris Schmitt and their quick thinking that has saved Haden's life, not once but twice.... We are so grateful to our foster parents and all the volunteers for making our work such a success. Without you, we could not do the work we love to do and save as many Labrador lives.