<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:#17365D'>As Bev said, no one knows for sure what causes bloat but we do know that it is deadly. I second everything Bev mentioned and add a couple more things I do as precaution … especially with seniors or when I know something else is going on like congestive heart problems, magical regenerating spleens (Johnny), etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:#17365D'>Everyone spends 15- 30 minutes of quiet time PRIOR to eating … mine spend the time in their crates … your choice. This helps the body and mind calm down from exercise, play etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:#17365D'>For seniors, whose muscles are not as well toned, I decrease the portion size, moisten the food and feed three times a day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:#17365D'>All seniors (and anyone else prone to gas or bloat) gets a generic Gas-X with every meal. Some also get one at bedtime.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:#17365D'>Bloat for some reason (at least in my experience) always happens in the late evening. So, I limit the amount of water my bloat prone have access to at one time to 8 – 10 ounces at a time. This helps decrease the distention and weight of the stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:#17365D'>At the first sign of any bloating tendency, burping etc., I give two full droppers of liquid simethicon (health food store or baby department), apply Lavender Oil (a couple drops in my hands gently stroked over head and ears) for calming, walk s…l…o…w…l…y on a lead. If I don’t see improvement, we go to the vet …. Now!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:#17365D'>There are a couple other tricks but they are not for the squeamish or inexperienced.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:#17365D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'>Sandi Wittenberg</span><span style='color:#17365D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#17365D'>Red Bay Basset<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>