epi and twisted colon

[phoebe1946]

Just had my 1 1/2 yo GSD, Remi, in for emergency surgery for twisted colon. Told it is related to his being an EPI dog. Weren't sure he would survive surgery and still have no definitive cause for problem. Told it could recur in the future. Surgery was over $7000, but when I looked into his eyes, money meant nothing. Hoping for a decent quality of life for him now. Has anyone else experienced something like this? He had previous surgery to prevent bloat as a puppy. Any suggestions/ideas/similar history? Thanks.

[n2gsds]

Wow, sorry to hear about Remi. Wish the surgeon knew why but sometimes that is not an easy thing to determine. I haven't heard of the colon twisting. What is an EPI dog? My Carleigh bloated and her stomach twisted when she was 4 yrs. old. Yes, the surgery was expensive but like you how could I not do it for her? They tacked her stomach, no further problems and she lived to be 12 1/2 yrs. old. Keep us posted and hoping for the best for you and Remi!

[ken k]

Max bloated in march, got him there in plenty of time for the bloat, they called later and said if it had been another half an hour, they would not been able to save him, stomach flipped, colon flipped, colon being the more serious of the 2, and was looking real bad when they opened him up, they went at the colon first, and the vet said the colon looked much much better by the time they were done, everything is stapled and sewn together, to answer your question, yes, it is an EPI thing, your very lucky your pup is alive, this is almost 100% fatal, I have to ask is your pup a "traveler"? when he poops?, best thing you can do is start feeding smaller meals maybe 3 times a day instead of 2, and your right, money was no object

[Heidigsd]

So sorry to hear about Remi I have an EPI dog also but no experience with the twisted colon. Maybe someone here would have some answers for you: Forum - EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

If you need help in the nutrition department just in case, I would recommend joining K9 Kitchen. Monica Segal, the list owner is wonderful: K9Kitchen : dog diets raw cooked allergies disease

I hope Remi recovers fully from his ordeal real soon

Michaela

[1sttimeforgsd]

Sending healing thoughts and best wishes for Remi.

[rgollar]

So sorry about Remi. Wish him the best.

[Rahrah]

Originally Posted by ken k

I have to ask is your pup a "traveler"? when he poops?

My pup does this sometimes- What does it mean?

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Was this a mesenteric torsion then? Yikes - both of you have been so lucky to catch and have that treated - it is almost never caught in time and almost never treated from what I understand from talking to a vet about it. Definitely check out that EPI website.

You may also want to check university teaching hospitals to see if they have any research on this.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

[arycrest]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

Was this a mesenteric torsion then? Yikes - both of you have been so lucky to catch and have that treated - it is almost never caught in time and almost never treated from what I understand from talking to a vet about it. Definitely check out that EPI website.

You may also want to check university teaching hospitals to see if they have any research on this.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

My JR survived mesenteric torsion ... I learned later that only about 3% of the dogs who have it survive ... I always said he had an angel on his shoulder!!!

I've never heard of a twisted colon or colon torsion but sure am glad Remi is doing okay ... hope it continues and he has a speedy and uneventful recovery!!! I did a GOOGLE search on it and found that it's a very rare condition so maybe that's why many of us aren't familiar with it?

Hope you'll post some pictures of Remi!!!

[ken k]

Originally Posted by Rahrah

My pup does this sometimes- What does it mean?

Just curious if dogs that "travel" also bloat