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

[ponyfarm]

Max is getting to that age when I am trying to plan for nueter, hip x-rays, gastroplexy. In my mind, these are all elective. So, I am gettng feedback from what others have done. Dont worry, my vet and I will make the final decision.

So, Would you or have any of you had a gastroplexy done on your dog? Would you have this procedure done even if the vet wasnt already in there doing a spay? Or in my case the dog is under for a nueter or x-rays. When would you consider having this procedure done..age-wise?

Thanks for your insight..and I just realized that I am letting it be known publically that I am a big worry-wort!!

[KatsMuse]

Originally Posted by ponyfarm

Max is getting to that age when I am trying to plan for nueter, hip x-rays, gastroplexy. In my mind, these are all elective. So, I am gettng feedback from what others have done. Dont worry, my vet and I will make the final decision.

So, Would you or have any of you had a gastroplexy done on your dog? Would you have this procedure done even if the vet wasnt already in there doing a spay? Or in my case the dog is under for a nueter or x-rays. When would you consider having this procedure done..age-wise?

Thanks for your insight..and I just realized that I am letting it be known publically that I am a big worry-wort!!

IMO, if you're going to put him to sleep, especially to neuter, anyway...my answer would be YES.

It's not a guarantee that he won't ever get the bloat but, most likely will not get the torsion part. Chances of survival and less damage caused by torsion are better according to my vet.

Also, be aware that a dog can get bloat/torsion at any age, at anytime...even at rest. (One member had a dog that experienced in the middle of night, long after eating and playing.)

Type in the search box...there are several threads on here where you can read stories about dogs and the owners' experiences concerning bloat/ torsion.

JMO.
PS ... We are ALL worrywarts.
Kat

[arycrest]

Originally Posted by ponyfarm

Max is getting to that age when I am trying to plan for nueter, hip x-rays, gastroplexy. In my mind, these are all elective. So, I am gettng feedback from what others have done. Dont worry, my vet and I will make the final decision.

So, Would you or have any of you had a gastroplexy done on your dog? Would you have this procedure done even if the vet wasnt already in there doing a spay? Or in my case the dog is under for a nueter or x-rays. When would you consider having this procedure done..age-wise?

Thanks for your insight..and I just realized that I am letting it be known publically that I am a big worry-wort!!

I've only had the gastroplexy done to one of the Hooligans (Bruiser) because he has had episodes of what I call a partial torsion for lack of a better description. The only thing I'm sorry for is that I didn't have it done when he had surgery as a puppy (but he was on death's door then so it probably wouldn't have been the best time to do it). And no, I've never been sorry I had his stomach tacked, would do it again!!! On the other hand, I've never had the procedure done to any of the other Hooligans except for those who bloated w/torsion and were having emergency surgery for that procedure.

[TimberGSD2]

I plan on having the gastropexy done on Milla when I spay her. If I wasn't going to spay her I would still have it done when she was fully grown. I work in an animal emergency clinic and it is scary enough and prevalent enough that I will have it done on any shepherd that I get.

When I got Kya it was not an option I was aware of. They can actually do it laproscopically now which is a good option if you were not having anything else done. Much quicker recovery.

[qbchottu]

Does the dog have a family history of bloat? Talk to the breeder and ask for honest answers so you can know if you should go ahead and do a preventative measure. Ask about littermates, the dam and sire, half siblings etc. Does he get very excited or stressed? Drink lots of water at one go after exercise? Gulp his food with lots of air? Is he prone to excessive burping? Any scares of excessive gas? I don't remember him having a very deep and narrow type of Dane barrel chest - ask vet if any of Max' anatomy predisposes him. If no, I would not not get the stomach tacked. If there are things that indicate a probability of torsion, then go ahead and get it done. Remember tacking does not prevent bloat, just prevents the stomach flipping and torsion.

Are you decided on the neutering? Do you plan to show him again?

[ponyfarm]

Originally Posted by qbchottu

Does the dog have a family history of bloat? Talk to the breeder and ask for honest answers so you can know if you should go ahead and do a preventative measure. Ask about littermates, the dam and sire, half siblings etc. Does he get very excited or stressed? Drink lots of water at one go after exercise? Gulp his food with lots of air? Is he prone to excessive burping? Any scares of excessive gas? I don't remember him having a very deep and narrow type of Dane barrel chest - ask vet if any of Max' anatomy predisposes him. If no, I would not not get the stomach tacked. If there are things that indicate a probability of torsion, then go ahead and get it done. Remember tacking does not prevent bloat, just prevents the stomach flipping and torsion.

Are you decided on the neutering? Do you plan to show him again?

Good questions!! This was a first breeding so no history for littermates. Max does burp occasionally..he never gets stressed out! He is a calm dude! I have not decided on nuetering and I may get brave and show him again to get his rating for fun.

So, it doesnt prevent bloat..but the tacking increases survival rate? I am understanding correctly?

[qbchottu]

Personally, I would wait till at least 2 for neutering (especially a working male). If you plan to show him, he cannot be neutered so that's something else to consider. You are a responsible, careful owner - I don't think you would have any issues containing an intact male, but again, that's your choice.

Yes, from what I've been told and read, gastroplexy just tacks the stomach to the stomach wall so the stomach does not flip after it bloats. Bloating itself is simply the stomach filling with gas/air and becoming uncomfortably distended. The real problem is when the gut twists and starts cutting off blood supply to organs. Then you have massive necrosis and organ failure which eventually leads to death. Once tacked, the dog can still bloat or have areas fill with gas, but all that is needed is to pass a tube in and release the gas. Much higher chance of recovery and not as serious. Also thousands cheaper than emergency open torsion surgery.

Info:
A prospective study of survival... [J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1998 May-Jun] - PubMed - NCBI
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12479327
History that warranted the prophylactic gastroplexy: These dogs had a history of treatment for gastric dilatation, clinical signs of gastric dilatation, or family members with gastric dilatation.
Prognosis: Laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy resulted in a persisting attachment between the stomach and abdominal wall, an absence of GDV development, and few complications. Dogs with a high probability for development of GDV should be considered candidates for minimally invasive gastropexy. Carefully selected dogs with GDV can be treated laparoscopically.

Laparoscopic gastropexy
LAPAROSCOPIC GASTROPEXY | Virginia Veterinary Specialists

http://www.rmiwa.org/images/LapgastropexyIW.pdf - very nice slide presentation that runs through the surgery, pre and post info.
Risk Factors for GDV
n First degree relative with GDV
n Age
n Temperament
n Stressful situations
• Kenneling
• Car trips
n Meal frequency
n Large and Giant breeds with deep and
narrow chest
n Exercise?
n Food Particle size?

Effectiveness
n Strength of gastropexy similar to
open methods
n Permanent adhesion has been
documented
n Prevents torsion of the stomach
n Gastric dilation still possible

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I would do it. I don't know why you wouldn't - that would be my question for vets and recent studies/information - why wouldn't you do it?

Just looked at your questions - I do not have any dogs tacked - had I known when I had my GSD spayed, I would have done it. Dogs get older, their chances for bloat, regardless of all other things, can increase, according to what I've read. http://www.peteducation.com/article....2+2090&aid=402

I have had a dog bloat and have the GDV too. He was 15, had the surgery and did well - recovered like a pediatric spay (as if nothing happened)! But he, his vet, and I were all a little nuts.

[qbchottu]

Have had GSDs and large breeds all my life - never had a case of bloat. I do not do prophylactic measures simply because. If there is a reason that warrants concern, by all means go ahead. But "just cause"? Not me. Laproscopic gastroplexy can run $500-2000 and does carry risks.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Well, hopefully as your life gets longer, you will continue to be able to say that! I think we are making good points for ponyfarm to talk to her vet about!