By Erin Stokes

For many dog owners that have experienced it, the word “bloat” can elicit images of terror. It is a common term for Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) and it is an unfortunately frequent syndrome seen in our emergency hospital. This month I am pleased to introduce Dr. Erin Stokes, one of CVRC's highly trained emergency clinicians. Dr. Stokes describes the facts about GDV, its symptoms, treatments and methods of prevention.  

This article recently appeared in the  Charleston Mercury written by Alan E. Green, DVM and Kristin Welch, DVM, DACVECC

Beware of snakes as warmer weather arrives in the Lowcountry. Our outdoor pets are vulnerable these days, and it’s not just hunting dogs that are in danger.

Dr. Kristin Welch, who helped with this article, is the head of Emergency and Critical Care at Charleston Veterinary Referral Center and the only board-certified critical-care specialist in South Carolina. She reminds us that of more than 120 species of snakes identified in the United States, 20 of them are venomous. Those that are poisonous in South Carolina include three species of rattlesnakes as well as cottonmouth water moccasins, copperheads and coral snakes.

Charleston, SC (August 9, 2012)  Living the quintessential Charleston lifestyle for many families and their pets includes beach time, boats and swimming.  The emergency team at CVRC sees cases of saltwater intoxication every summer, so Dr. Kristin Welch, head of our Emergency and Critical Care Department, wants to remind everyone about this danger to our pets.

Our ocean water has 3.5% dissolved salts, 90% of which is sodium chloride. That means for a typical Labrador Retriever, swallowing as little as 2-3 cups of saltwater could be toxic; less than 1 gallon of saltwater would be fatal. Once ingested, the salt is rapidly absorbed, resulting in symptoms within 30-60 minutes.