Cost for a gastropexy?

Emoore · 01-05-2012, 02:31 PM

I just inquired at the DFW Veterinary Surgery center about the cost for a laparoscopic gastropexy. The difference between a laparoscopic procedure and the conventional one is that it is done with only two 1/2-inch incisions (one for the scope and one for the instruments) instead of having to cut the abdomen open. They quoted me $1500-$2000 for the procedure.

Those of you who have had a gastropexy done, how much did you pay? Does this sound reasonable?

**Samba** · 01-05-2012, 03:21 PM

I guess location is everything. My vet has performed many gastropexies with success. Hogan was recently pexied for 190.00

It was not lapeoscopic. I liked that he was open and things gotten to easily. His recovery was quick and easy.

Emoore · 01-05-2012, 03:28 PM

OK, I just called Texas A&M teaching hospital and they quoted me $450. Yikes what a difference! It's a ways away but worth it.

I really prefer the laparoscopy. I had to have a laparoscopy myself two years ago and surgery was a breeze and recovery was quick. The surgeon told me mine was difficult because they had a hard time finding what they were looking for, but from my prospective it was immeasurably easier than open-abdomen surgery.

**Samba** · 01-05-2012, 05:02 PM

That sounds like a much better deal! Glad you looked around.

As director of surgery, I have do understand the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopic versus open procedures and the skills required of surgeons of in the respective procedures. Lap is incredible technology. It is just with my experience with so many dogs and open pexies, that I could not find a great advantage in this instance. Recovery so easy in the healthy dog with minimal discomfort as long as you have a vet knowledgable in post op pain control. The recovery to feeling good is so quick... almost too quick!

Emoore · 01-05-2012, 05:11 PM

Interesting, I'll keep that in mind. Would you suggest sticking with a teaching hospital or surgery center, or is this something that can be trusted to your average vet like a spay?

kitmcd · 01-05-2012, 05:22 PM

How common is it for GSD owners to have this procedure done? I talked with a friend who had it for his GSD. However, I approached my vet about doing it and he didn't particularly rec for GSD, though for deeper chested dogs like Great Danes he felt it should always be done.

I'm torn about the issue.

**Samba** · 01-05-2012, 05:22 PM

I would not go to an average vet for this. One vet in town has had his gastropexies fail one after the other! You want to go to someone with a good track record with their gastropexy technique. I know it is difficult finding out about practitioners in larger met areas.

The university should be good. Ask the surgeon how many they have done and if they have seen failures resulting in torsions. I would take one of mine to the university if my vet could not do it. I have found the university vets here very easy to talk to and forthcoming with information. Hope you experience the same.

My vet has GSDs and all his dogs are pexied. After all the years, I can not tell you how many GSDs I know who have died from torsion. I lost one to it and saved one with expensive surgery. My friend who shows has all of her GSDs done. I sleep much better at night now that Hogan is pexied. My friend just had both of his pexied. Nothing worse than an emergency trip with torsion or the awful event of finding them deceased from a horrible death of suffocation and pain.

Emoore · 01-05-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitmcd

How common is it for GSD owners to have this procedure done? I talked with a friend who had it for his GSD. However, I approached my vet about doing it and he didn't particularly rec for GSD, though for deeper chested dogs like Great Danes he felt it should always be done.

I'm torn about the issue.

Well, my pup's sire died a few months ago of bloat. He was only 5 years old. When I found that out, I did a little more digging and found out that his paternal grandsire's litter and their offspring had a relatively high incidence of dying young from bloat. Of course we don't know all the causes of bloat, but with a family history like this I feel like it's good idea to get the gastropexy.

**Samba** · 01-05-2012, 05:28 PM

With that family history, I would certainly have the procedure done.

kitmcd · 01-05-2012, 05:33 PM

We have a university with a vet school a couple hours away. I will contact them for information. Thanks

01-05-2012, 02:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	Cost for a gastropexy? I just inquired at the DFW Veterinary Surgery center about the cost for a laparoscopic gastropexy. The difference between a laparoscopic procedure and the conventional one is that it is done with only two 1/2-inch incisions (one for the scope and one for the instruments) instead of having to cut the abdomen open. They quoted me $1500-$2000 for the procedure. Those of you who have had a gastropexy done, how much did you pay? Does this sound reasonable? __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

01-05-2012, 03:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	OK, I just called Texas A&M teaching hospital and they quoted me $450. Yikes what a difference! It's a ways away but worth it. I really prefer the laparoscopy. I had to have a laparoscopy myself two years ago and surgery was a breeze and recovery was quick. The surgeon told me mine was difficult because they had a hard time finding what they were looking for, but from my prospective it was immeasurably easier than open-abdomen surgery. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

01-05-2012, 05:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	Interesting, I'll keep that in mind. Would you suggest sticking with a teaching hospital or surgery center, or is this something that can be trusted to your average vet like a spay? __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

01-05-2012, 03:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,449	I guess location is everything. My vet has performed many gastropexies with success. Hogan was recently pexied for 190.00 It was not lapeoscopic. I liked that he was open and things gotten to easily. His recovery was quick and easy.

01-05-2012, 05:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,449	That sounds like a much better deal! Glad you looked around. As director of surgery, I have do understand the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopic versus open procedures and the skills required of surgeons of in the respective procedures. Lap is incredible technology. It is just with my experience with so many dogs and open pexies, that I could not find a great advantage in this instance. Recovery so easy in the healthy dog with minimal discomfort as long as you have a vet knowledgable in post op pain control. The recovery to feeling good is so quick... almost too quick!

01-05-2012, 05:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
kitmcd Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 192	How common is it for GSD owners to have this procedure done? I talked with a friend who had it for his GSD. However, I approached my vet about doing it and he didn't particularly rec for GSD, though for deeper chested dogs like Great Danes he felt it should always be done. I'm torn about the issue.

01-05-2012, 05:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,449	I would not go to an average vet for this. One vet in town has had his gastropexies fail one after the other! You want to go to someone with a good track record with their gastropexy technique. I know it is difficult finding out about practitioners in larger met areas. The university should be good. Ask the surgeon how many they have done and if they have seen failures resulting in torsions. I would take one of mine to the university if my vet could not do it. I have found the university vets here very easy to talk to and forthcoming with information. Hope you experience the same. My vet has GSDs and all his dogs are pexied. After all the years, I can not tell you how many GSDs I know who have died from torsion. I lost one to it and saved one with expensive surgery. My friend who shows has all of her GSDs done. I sleep much better at night now that Hogan is pexied. My friend just had both of his pexied. Nothing worse than an emergency trip with torsion or the awful event of finding them deceased from a horrible death of suffocation and pain.

01-05-2012, 05:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,449	With that family history, I would certainly have the procedure done.

01-05-2012, 05:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
kitmcd Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 192	We have a university with a vet school a couple hours away. I will contact them for information. Thanks

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