Elective gastroplexy , not in conjunction w/spay/nueter?

[Rerun]

If he was going to be under anyway, I might consider it is money wasn't a deciding factor. If you are going to show him in conformation type shows, I'm sure you know not to neuter him yet so you have some time to decide.

I, personally, have never tacked a dog. I have known many horses to colic, most survived - all didn't, and some developed complications after surgery and were subsequently euthanized. I personally don't forsee ever tacking any of my dogs. And with a male, something to consider is that he's already under for the neuter, but the incision I would imagine is going to be more like a female spay. So it's not like a female where they are "already in there" so to speak.

I would be curious what the statistics are on surgery complications period, vs possible risk of a fatal bloat. It would be interesting to see if, statistically, you potentially put the dog more at risk going under (and for longer) than he was at risk for fatal bloat anyway. Since they can still bloat with the surgery, you would have to factor in the risk of a fatal bloat even with emergency vet care. Just something to think about.

[3dognite]

We've had shepherds my whole life...and never experienced bloat until my current GSD. My brother did lose his dog to bloat, a second event. I think it was before they were doing the "elective"surgery to tack the stomach. She'd had bloat, they did the surgery and then she healed up. And then she had bloat again like a year or so later and they lost her.

My GSD, we haven't had torsion or not full torsion anyway, but the vomiting foam, the distended sides, the standing all hunched up...god that was scary! If I had to have him under for anything right now and since those events, I would absolutely have his stomach tacked. He's done it probably twice, maybe 3 times where I was up all night with him.

[arycrest]

One thing I'll add to my earlier comments. I've had three dogs bloat with torsion ... two (Echo & Kelly) were both on the shy nervous side, easily upset (the only two Hooligans I've owned with this type of problem).

Before JR survived stomach bloat with torsion, he was one of the lucky few who survived mesenteric torsion ... he was mentally sound, very stable, and I've always wondered about what made him prone to torsion.

[marshies]

I spoke at length to my vet about this and she recommended no. She owns Great Danes herself and is familiar with bloat.

She said that the surgery can cause additional problems, and was against prophylactic Gastropexy even with Puppy's anxious personality. my primary reason for wanting the surgery was to buy more time for her if she bloated while I was at work. Vet said most dogs don't bloat from a day of napping calmly at home.

Do your research and talk to your vet. I think my vet has no reason to not want to do the surgery since its extra moment for them, other than the well being of my dog.

[marshies]

Wanted to add:

Even with genetic and temperament factors, it is still a big non-routine procedure that has risks and side effects. Puppy's spay incision was all of an inch long. I think even a laparoscopic Gastropexy would require additional stitches and additional healing.

Talk with a vet you trust with expiernce in the matter. I called around before I found vet that was familiar with the procedure and had experience with bloat.

Like I said. Your vet has a financial incentive to say yes, so all the more reason to heed th no's

[wildo]

Originally Posted by marshies

Your vet has a financial incentive to say yes, so all the more reason to heed th no's

ponyfarm- you've gotten a lot of good advice, and I'm sure your looking into all of it. I just wanted to add that I completely agree with this! When Pimg sprained her knee, I had TWO vets tell me that she "absolutely" need a TPLO surgery. It's a major cash-cow surgery for them... Luckily, I researched it and figured they were wrong. Vets absolutely DO have financial incentives for certain procedures. Something to think about for sure...

[qbchottu]

Originally Posted by arycrest

One thing I'll add to my earlier comments. I've had three dogs bloat with torsion ... two (Echo & Kelly) were both on the shy nervous side, easily upset (the only two Hooligans I've owned with this type of problem).

Before JR survived stomach bloat with torsion, he was one of the lucky few who survived mesenteric torsion ... he was mentally sound, very stable, and I've always wondered about what made him prone to torsion.

Just because a dog has one genetic health disorder does not mean the overall health and temperament will be poor. I had a great dog - incredibly sound mentally and an overall dream dog, but had very bad hips and digestive issues. I wouldn't necessarily correlate poor or solid temperament with bad or good health.

[carmspack]

In over 35 years of breeding and owning dogs , including dogs that were bought , and dogs that I have fostered till adoptable I have never had a case of bloat , or torsion.
In 20 years of horse ownership and care the only experience I had was with a beautiful Morgan mare that I had at a riding stable . She kept being fed by fellow boarders including bananas and sugar lumps and when I asked them NOT to I was the meany to my horse. Pulled her out of there , never a problem since. My own horses that have lived here for 20 years , including ones born here - never a problem .
A lot goes to management .

So would I do this prophylactically - NO - no more than I would take out an eye to prevent pannus - well I know that is extreme lol - but management , I believe is involved

[ponyfarm]

Originally Posted by carmspack

In over 35 years of breeding and owning dogs , including dogs that were bought , and dogs that I have fostered till adoptable I have never had a case of bloat , or torsion.
In 20 years of horse ownership and care the only experience I had was with a beautiful Morgan mare that I had at a riding stable . She kept being fed by fellow boarders including bananas and sugar lumps and when I asked them NOT to I was the meany to my horse. Pulled her out of there , never a problem since. My own horses that have lived here for 20 years , including ones born here - never a problem .
A lot goes to management .

So would I do this prophylactically - NO - no more than I would take out an eye to prevent pannus - well I know that is extreme lol - but management , I believe is involved

Management..yes, but still it does seem to happen randomly..or does it? I have had horses all my life and only had a few grassy, gas colics. Consider myself lucky, but also I am very carefull!! (Extreme some would say)

I guess I need to read all I can about prevention, that is sure.

And Wildo, I am pretty sure you need quite a few new crowns to help pay for Max's pending surgery...lol!!!

[KatsMuse]

In addition to my earlier post, I forgot to add that my one of my breeders was not upfront with me about my dog's Sire's history of medical problems...I learned about it from others.
That's not to bash ANY breeder but, not every one will tell you everything.
And, I'm not even going to speculate as to why.

I've personally never experienced bloat with my dogs...
But, I have witnessed it. AWFUL!

The dogs I've known that had it and do survive have ultimately succumbed to problems including organ failure, from the torsion part.
The last one, about a month ago, lost his spleen and is now renal failure, 4 years old...just relating my experience.

We are all just giving you our opinions here, And, like any other open forum thread, we all have different opinions on the pros and cons.

I still stand by my own personal opinion...Yes, I would do it.

I'm not a vet. As far as the decision to neuter and gastropexy YOUR DOG, that's got to be a decision made between you and your vet...
(If you are continuing to show your dog, you may want to consider waiting on the neuter?)

Kat