WBy Kerri Roche/Daily News Tribune staff

WALTHAM — A four-legged member of the Waltham Police Department is on short-term disability as he recovers from a serious medical condition, but Officer Michael Fogg said he is certain his partner will be back. On Sunday night, Fogg said he immediately noticed his 7-year-old German shepherd, Enzo, wasn’t quite himself.

While on duty in the backseat of the cruiser, Enzo began dry-heaving, said Fogg.

After Fogg let the dog out of the cruiser, he noticed Enzo was hunched over and his stomach felt rock-hard. At that moment, Fogg said he knew based on previous experiences with other dogs that Enzo was suffering from bloat, or gastric dilatation and volvulus.

According to veterinarians at The Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of New England on Bear Hill Road, dog bloat occurs when gases or food stretch the stomach many times its normal size, causing severe pain.

Once the stomach begins to swell the organ begins to twist itself at both ends, literally flipping around 360 degrees and blocking its own blood supply and the only exit routes for the gases and food. In a matter of hours, a perfectly healthy dog can be struggling for their life once bloat sets in.

Veterinarian Dr. Christina Valiant was one of the first vets to examine Enzo. “He had a pretty classical presentation for bloat,” said Valiant.

Although the exact cause of dog bloat is hard to determine, veterinarians have noticed certain trends - large breed and deep-chested dogs are more susceptible to bloat and rapid eating followed my immediate exercise can trigger it. Immediate action by the pet owner can ensure the dog’s survival.

Enzo was brought to the 24-hour VESCONE emergency room on Sunday night, where veterinary surgeon Susan Magestro literally unwound his stomach and attached it to the inner body wall to prevent it from twisting again.

“Patrolman Fogg had exactly the right response to Enzo’s emergency,” said Magestro. “He knew to be alert to symptoms of bloat and that the best course of action is immediate care.” After waking from surgery, Enzo remained hospitalized until Tuesday afternoon, at which time he was allowed to return home with Fogg.

Now, with 20 stitches across his stomach, Enzo will spend the next two to three weeks off the clock while he recovers. Yesterday morning, said Fogg, was the first time Enzo barked since getting sick. “In just the last two days he got dramatically better,” said Fogg. “(VESCONE) did a good job.”

For 5 1/2 years, Enzo has accompanied Fogg on every patrol. With numerous drug finds and suspect apprehensions, Enzo has made his impression on Fogg and the entire department. “It’s a different type of job,” said Fogg. “You definitely feel more secure and more confident. When people hear the dog barking in the back of the cruiser, they think twice.”

As for his recovery, “He’s a part of the family now after five years,” said Fogg. “I’m with him more than my own family.”

Kerri Roche can be reached at kroche@cnc.com or 781-398-8009.