SnapLeash
Last week I reviewed the SnapLeash.
I like the leash very much!
The people at SnapLeash wanted me to let readers know that they are offering you a 25% off discount code at www.snapleash.com. Just use the code AFF25 at checkout.
They also wanted my readers to know that they are very conscious about price and while the leash retails for $19.99 and $16.99 depending on size, most places sell them for $14.99 or $12.99 respectively, (which includes shipping).
They are also investigating longer lengths and reflective material….so maybe those things will be available in the future. 🙂
Canine Bloat Or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)
I wanted to mention a couple more things about Thunder’s experience with canine bloat.
As I understand it, the reason a dog may bloat is not fully known or understood.
The ER vet felt that Thunder’s spleen inflated first, maybe due to an allergic reaction to an insect bite. His spleen may have taken his stomach when it twisted. We will never know for sure.
In 2013 the AKC Canine Health Foundation awarded two large grants for research into Canine Bloat. One of them is looking into possible abnormalities in the stomach. The research is ongoing, but you can read more about the grants here.
The vet mentioned to us that Thunder may need to be on a medication to help with stomach motility for the rest of his life. I guess it is not uncommon after cases of bloat.
Thunder was on the medication for a short period after his surgery. When the medication ran out, we never had it refilled, but we do feed him a pro-biotic with every meal. We have tried several different types, but the one that seems to work the best for him is plain non-fat yogurt. We make sure to buy one with active/live cultures and add a dollop to each meal. The pro-biotic seems to keep his stomach from making gurgling and churning sounds.
I will be interested to see if the researchers find any link between possible stomach abnormalities and bloat.
Just Because
A few pictures of Thunder from this past Saturday:
This is the Thursday Bark And Bytes Blog Hop hosted by 2 Brown Dawgs and Heart Like A Dog.
For those of you who are new or unsure about Blog Hops–they are a great way to connect with other bloggers. Don’t be shy about stopping by other hoppers to say “hi”. You just might gain some new readers for your blog.
The Barks And Bytes hop is open for all topics; however, Jodi and I ask that if you want to participate in the hop, you either share the linky list, or link back to one of our blogs. While you are at it, don’t forget to grab the Barks And Bytes badge and display it in your post or on your sidebar.
Thanks so much for participating in The Thursday Barks And Bytes Hop!
It was an interesting week. Have a tremendous Thursday.
Best wishes Molly
We love our SnapLeash and use it all the time. Just ordered another one because it is so functional. Thanks for hosting this hop!
Hi Y’all!
Gotta say, that Bloat is really scary…got to be even worse for y’all havin’ gone through it with Thunder. It made me so sad reading it the first time, but readin’ it again…I couldn’t even comment.
I so rarely wear a leash…only when we’re traveling or walkin’ where a leash is required. But the snap leash is intriguing. Maybe I’ll get my Human to get me one…???
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Bloat is one of my nightmares. Easy’s mom hasn’t survived the bloat-surgery in 2011 . I’m totally unsure and confused , some articles i found say, Easy is endangered because it can be inherited, others argue the converse… do you think it makes sense to give him pro-biotic yogurt too? at least it won’t hurt him :o)
Interesting follow up from the Snappy people. I like that they’re so responsive! I’m going to have to catch up on my reading re: Thunder, but those photos are wonderful!
Never had a case of bloat (knock on wood). I”m glad to read that Thunder is doing so well and didn’t really need the medication any longer.
How nice of Snap Leash to offer the discount. We just recently did bloat surgery on a dog and the owners said they had never heard of bloat and they owned this large breed dog for 8 years. The dog is doing great. And to your question before about gamblers hunt test and going back to the old fall. The judge told me if I was watching all the other dogs and seeing that they had big hunts that I should of just let him go and he would of figured it out and let the judges judge the dog. So I really can’t answer your question about failing or not failing if he went back to the old fall, to me it sounded like if I would of just let him go they would of let him go through. I think it depends on the judges and what all the dogs do as a whole?
Good news about the doggie that you treated at your clinic! I guess the judges figured Gambler would have stayed in the hunt. But what if he didn’t? I don’t blame you for trying to make sure he did not switch or go to an old fall. That just makes issues later on imo. He will do it next time!
oh I hope so, our last test is this weekend. 🙂
I am glad that Thunder did well after his GDV surgery. I read your previous article about Thunder’s experience with bloat too. The prospect of a dog getting GDV is very scary. Some veterinary hospitals are now offering to tack the stomach prophylactically (for an added fee) when they spay a dog. Another option for prophylactic gastropexy is a less invasive laparoscopic procedure which is offered by some veterinary hospitals. Gastropexy (tacking the stomach to the body wall to prevent it from twisting) is not cheap but, like you said, it is cheaper than emergency surgery for GDV. I have a large golden retriever named Savanna who is the love of my life. I have not had a prophylactic gastropexy performed on her but I am careful not to let her be too active immediately after eating and I limit her water intake when she wants to gulp down a lot of water after a walk.
We were quoted $1700 for the laparoscopic tacking.
Those snap leashes look so cool! My Hunny was planning on making a leather one for my Chewy. I’ve seen them advertised as European leashes. But the SnapLeash is a great design!
Great follow-up! I’m wondering where I can buy one of those snap leashes locally (I hate to pay shipping and handling!) LOL
I do hope the studies show what causes bloat, although if it’s a stomach abnormality I wonder how many people would know about it and watch for it.
I’ve heard (and you know I’m not a vet) that it has something to do with kibble expanding. I’m not really sure on that though. Delilah is a BIG gulper when we get back from walks and she has a narrow but deep chest, it freaks me out so I pick the water up and put it back down after a few minutes.
I believe the belief that it has anything to do with the type of food has been totally discounted. So much of what they thought has turned out not to matter over time. I think that if they find that it is due to a stomach abnormality, they would be able to eventually develop a treatment and if it shows to be a genetic thing then you could breed around it.
I’m so sorry that Thunder had to go through bloat!! 🙁 It sounds so scary! I’m glad he’s doing well now, though! That’s interesting about the pro-biotics!
I’ll have to check out the Snap Leash for sure. Bloat is so scary. I hope they can find a reason for exactly what causes it rather than just knowing that deep chested large breeds are more susceptible and that it has something to do with food, or swallowing air. It would be interesting if they found a stomach abnormality cause.
We have been away from blogging for awhile and did not know about sweet Thunder. We are so sorry to hear all he has been through. Sure glad he is doing okay now. He looks wonderful in the pictures. That is a nice looking leash and that is good that it hooks like it does, Chancy is terrified of leashes so we have never used one with him. Hugs and nose kisses
Aw these pics are so sweet! I must stop by to join next week’s blog hop 😀
We would love to have you join!
Great follow ups, and great photos of Thunder! I hope that researchers can figure out more about what leads to bloat.
Bloat is a big problem for deep-chested dogs. We’re careful with feeding and watering our guys when they’re hot or going to be exercising heavily. I’ve also read that dogs who eat out of raised bowls have a greater chance of bloat.
Sorry to miss the hop last week! I’ve caught up some 😀