Prophylactic Gastropexy - Should I do it???

Love my shepherds · 01-27-2013, 08:31 AM

GERMAN SHEPHERD OWNERS - Viveca's (my 4 month old german shepherd puppy) vet has suggested that we have prophylactic gastropexy (tacking of the stomach to the body wall) done while Viveca is under anesthesia when she is spayed (she will be 5 months old at the time she is spayed). She said this procedure does not prevent bloat, it does prevent the stomach from rotating/twisting over itself --- has anyone ever had this procedure done?? I am not sure if I want to do this or not - any comments or suggestions in regards to this surgery?

MadLab · 01-27-2013, 09:32 AM

I wouldn't do that to my dogs. The spaying is enough for one day. Just my 2 cents. The vets like to do ops too much.

llombardo · 01-27-2013, 10:27 AM

I do believe I've read on here that it has been done. If its something that you are going to do no matter what, then do it when the dog is under for its spay. There is no need to keep putting the dog under. I wish I would have gotten my dogs hips xrayed while she was under, because I just can't put her under now just for that.

RebelGSD · 01-27-2013, 01:59 PM

I had two dogs that bloated. One died, the other lived. The surgery cost around $3500, and I was lucky my dog made it through the surgery, many don't. They also did the gastropexy at that time, they do it to any dog that bloats.

I would absolutely do it during the spay. The abdomen is open anyway, they are already under, a lot of extra safety for a little extra cost and discomfort. Unfortunately German Shepherds are predisposed to bloat.

arycrest · 01-28-2013, 08:42 AM

I second what Rebel said ... as long as the dog's under for the spay, why not go ahead and tack the stomach.

ponyfarm · 01-28-2013, 09:08 AM

When I nueter Max, I will xray his hips, elbow and do the gastroplexy. Bloat scares the bigeebers out of me.!!

huntergreen · 01-28-2013, 10:22 AM

love my, if i was going to that, i might wait a bit till my pup was older and then do both together.

shannonrae · 01-28-2013, 11:10 AM

I did. I got my male neutered at 1 year old. At that time he also got a gastropexy. His was done with a scope. He had a 1" incision on his abdomen and another 1" incision on his side. It cost an extra $400. His discomfort and healing time were minimal compared to that of a dog post-bloat surgery.

As others have said, our breed is predisposed to bloat, and the cost of surgery to fix it is around $3000. Of course thats is if you catch it in time!

I think the gastropexy is totally worth it!

Anubis_Star · 01-28-2013, 05:04 PM

MANY breeds are prone, deep chested breeds like our own the GSD. It's also very common in dogs like great danes. It's recommended that many of these breeds get the pexy done, and it is commonly done while they are already under sedation for things like a dental or a spay/neuter. It is NOT a major, invasive procedure. A small incision in the abdomen, and a scope is used to tack the stomach to the abdominal wall. If my dog were to ever be anesthetized, I would do it just for peace of mind

01-27-2013, 08:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Love my shepherds New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 9	Prophylactic Gastropexy - Should I do it??? GERMAN SHEPHERD OWNERS - Viveca's (my 4 month old german shepherd puppy) vet has suggested that we have prophylactic gastropexy (tacking of the stomach to the body wall) done while Viveca is under anesthesia when she is spayed (she will be 5 months old at the time she is spayed). She said this procedure does not prevent bloat, it does prevent the stomach from rotating/twisting over itself --- has anyone ever had this procedure done?? I am not sure if I want to do this or not - any comments or suggestions in regards to this surgery? Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Love my shepherds; 01-27-2013 at 08:36 AM.

01-27-2013, 10:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
llombardo Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,936	I do believe I've read on here that it has been done. If its something that you are going to do no matter what, then do it when the dog is under for its spay. There is no need to keep putting the dog under. I wish I would have gotten my dogs hips xrayed while she was under, because I just can't put her under now just for that. __________________ Misty- Samoyed Mix Tannor- Golden Retriever CGC Robyn- German Shepherd CGC Cats-Thunder, Harley, Miley, Bandit, and Ferah RIP Boo..Black Lab "A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

01-28-2013, 08:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
arycrest Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 8,916	I second what Rebel said ... as long as the dog's under for the spay, why not go ahead and tack the stomach. __________________ Gayle ... Slider, Bruiser & Faith At the Bridge: Andy, Abbey, Tasha, Tex, Echo, Yukon, JR, Too, Niki, Bo, Ringer, Kelly, Honey & Mac

01-28-2013, 09:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
ponyfarm Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 985	When I nueter Max, I will xray his hips, elbow and do the gastroplexy. Bloat scares the bigeebers out of me.!! __________________ Max Von Zahnderhaus -CGC- DOB 2/14/2012 http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/dog.html?id=1353416 Tim the Collie- RN -DOB 4/01/2010

01-28-2013, 11:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
shannonrae Master Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 661	I did. I got my male neutered at 1 year old. At that time he also got a gastropexy. His was done with a scope. He had a 1" incision on his abdomen and another 1" incision on his side. It cost an extra $400. His discomfort and healing time were minimal compared to that of a dog post-bloat surgery. As others have said, our breed is predisposed to bloat, and the cost of surgery to fix it is around $3000. Of course thats is if you catch it in time! I think the gastropexy is totally worth it! __________________ Sydney(rescue)-Pit cross Birbo(rescue)-GSD Until we meet again . . . Bear(rescue)-GSD, my soul mate. Kai-(rescue)GSD, my forever baby. Kobie-Pomeranian, my tiniest dog with the biggest heart.

01-27-2013, 09:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
MadLab Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 149	I wouldn't do that to my dogs. The spaying is enough for one day. Just my 2 cents. The vets like to do ops too much.

01-27-2013, 01:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
RebelGSD Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,209	I had two dogs that bloated. One died, the other lived. The surgery cost around $3500, and I was lucky my dog made it through the surgery, many don't. They also did the gastropexy at that time, they do it to any dog that bloats. I would absolutely do it during the spay. The abdomen is open anyway, they are already under, a lot of extra safety for a little extra cost and discomfort. Unfortunately German Shepherds are predisposed to bloat.

01-28-2013, 10:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
huntergreen Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,199	love my, if i was going to that, i might wait a bit till my pup was older and then do both together.

01-28-2013, 05:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
Anubis_Star Master Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 712	MANY breeds are prone, deep chested breeds like our own the GSD. It's also very common in dogs like great danes. It's recommended that many of these breeds get the pexy done, and it is commonly done while they are already under sedation for things like a dental or a spay/neuter. It is NOT a major, invasive procedure. A small incision in the abdomen, and a scope is used to tack the stomach to the abdominal wall. If my dog were to ever be anesthetized, I would do it just for peace of mind __________________ ~Emergency Vet Tech Berlin vom Spartanville 1/13/13 Zeke 5/25/07 Luther 2008 - 7/23/12 "Take this trouble from me: Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim." Max Von Stephanitz

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