[dogmama]

Gastropexy report

Thought I'd update on Zack's gastropexy -

He had it done laproscopically one week ago. He is doing great! They kept him overnight. When he came home the next morning, he was still groggy & sore for a couple of days. Now, the challenge is to keep him from jumping, running, ball chasing, etc., for the next week (when sutures are removed.)

They shaved him from the bottom of his ribcage to his lower groin area. He just started licking a couple of days ago & now sports a handsome blue blow-up donut. The cat keeps stalking him - can't figure out what that "thing" is. I figure when we get done with it, Zack can use it as a life preserver because his swimming is really bad.

 

[shilohsmom]

My little girl, Shoshona, is two years post Bloat/Surgery and doing well. There is hope if it can be caught in time and we can get them to a skilled Vet facility.

 

[whitemochi]

can they bloat from any age?
are puppies just as likely to get bloat?

 

[fkeeley]

can they bloat from any age?
are puppies just as likely to get bloat?

I haven't heard a puppy bloating. I feel like it might be somewhat age related but don't quote me on that. I guess I just hear happening to older dogs not young ones. I still take all the necessary precautions as I don't want to have to go through it again. Not taking any chances; of course, there is no guarantee unfortunately. I still think that the best precaution is to know the symptoms and rush the dog to the vet if you think he might be bloating.

 

[LisaT]

puppies can bloat.

 

[dogmama]

can they bloat from any age?
are puppies just as likely to get bloat?

My vet said it's mainly older dogs, males with deep chests who gulp their food. I had a gastropexy done with Zack and it's well worth the money for the peace of mind. He can still bloat but he can't twist. So he still needs to be rushed to a vet if he bloats, but it isn't as life threatening.

 

[Lauri & The Gang]

Video of a dog bloating

Before anyone jumps all over the people taking the video you need to know a couple things.

1. These people had NO experience with bloat. They were video taping their new foster dog and didn't realize what was happening.

2. The dog in the video DOES SURVIVE!!! He gets the treatment needed and recovers.


The reason why this video is important is because it shows us - in REAL LIFE - the sometimes subtle symptoms of bloat. The pacing, the stomach distending, trying to drink and then vomitting - all classics bloat symptoms but not always so obvious.

For those of us that HAVE had a dog bloat - this video is very difficult to watch without yelling at the screen "GET HIM TO THE VET YOU MORONS!!!". Just know that they DID and the dog is fine and now this is an excellent learning tool for others.

.

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

:bump:

 

[lzver]

The metal is covered in PTFE (Like Teflon) - Just an FYI

Polytetrafluoroethylene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Anything coated in PTFE does not enter my house ... So this would never be an option to me.

I have 3 parrots as well and if heated to high temperatures, PTFE emits toxic fumes that can kill birds in minutes. Also not good for humans.

 

[lzver]

We had our 11 week old GSD at the vet this week and the vet discussed bloat with us. We are going to do the preventative tacking when he's getting neutered at 6 months. She never pressured us, but gave us all the info we needed to make an informed decision. After reading more about bloat, it seems like a low risk procedure. I'm also very glad now we selected a vet that is only 15 minutes away and has a vet on call 24x7.

 

[jetscarbie]

I spend so much time paying attention to my dogs and bloat.

Just wanted to inform people that cat's can bloat also.

Mine bloated the other day. At first I thought it was roundworms. No, I figured out quick that it was NOT anything like that especially when I pulled back his lips and his gums were solid white. I rushed him to the vet.

They believe he may have cancer or a huge mass in his stomach or a problem with his heart. His x-rays were terrible. His stomach showed a mass of white with most of his organs pushed up along his spine. His heart was very small.

I won't know anything more until later........I just wanted to advise people.....if your cat gets a huge, pot bellied look......please take him to the vet right away.

 

[Shaolin]

Read this and immediately had a question. Is ice a good substitute for water after heavy exercise? Finn gulps his water after a good play session and I got concerned about the bloat possibility. We switched to ice cubes; three or four at a time until he stops panting heavily. Then he gets a very small amount of water until he is able to drink like normal. Is that a good idea or should he wait to have anything until he has calmed down.

 

[ken k]

Read this and immediately had a question. Is ice a good substitute for water after heavy exercise? Finn gulps his water after a good play session and I got concerned about the bloat possibility. We switched to ice cubes; three or four at a time until he stops panting heavily. Then he gets a very small amount of water until he is able to drink like normal. Is that a good idea or should he wait to have anything until he has calmed down.

yes they can still bloat from ice cubes, I give mine a small amount of water after exercise, and wait about a half hour to an hour, once the heavy panting slows down, then they can drink more

 

[Shaolin]

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[arycrest]

This message is not about bloat with torsion, but about stomach torsion without bloat!!!

About a month ago, Slider (who was 10 on 9/11/12) was diagnosed and operated on for stomach torsion.

I'm NOT an expert, but in my limited experience with stomach bloat and torsion (Echo, JR, Kelly and reading about other dogs that have had bloat/torsion) Slider's symptoms were extremely unusual and I wanted to share this information with other GSD owners.

1. Slider was NOT bloated when I took him to the vet's office.

2. SLIDER'S SYMPTOMS:
His symptoms were vague.
He made a couple weird sounding gaggy noises about 2 hours apart.
He started getting slightly agitated shortly before I decided to call the vet ... he'd get up change position and lie back down, then about 2 or 3 minutes later he'd change position, and again and again.
He had a slight stumbling type gait.
HE REFUSED TO EAT A BABY CARROT (a sure sign any of the Hooligans are sick when they refuse a treat).
His nose felt warmish.
He vomited his breakfast while I was getting ready to take him to the vet.

THERE WAS NO STOMACH DISTENTION, WHITE FOAM VOMITING AGITATION, OR UNUSUAL SPITTING UP that I usually associate with bloat/torsion. I was shocked when the vet showed me his x-ray which had a strange looking crease in his stomach (about in the middle) ... the vet said it was "pre-torsion". Because it was so late in the day, we were immediately sent up to the University of Florida's vet school as an emergency.

When the vets at the University's ER looked at his x-rays they said it was NOT pre-torsion ... it was definitely TORSION.

Emergency surgery saved his life!

Under normal circumstances I would probably have taken a "wait and see" attitude with the vague symptoms Slider was exhibiting. BUT I was 100% certain that Slider was extremely sick, sick enough to require veterinary assistance BECAUSE ALL THE HOOLIGANS ARE PIG-DOGS AND HE REFUSED TO EAT THE BABY CARROT ... that's right, a baby carrot saved my dog's life.

I guess what I'm trying to say is get to know your dog as much as possible, his habits, his likes, his dislikes, the way he walks, the way he lies down, stands up, etc etc etc ... this information could save his life one day.

 

[skier16]

good to know. when i have my girl fixed in a month or so i think im going to have the vet pin her stomach to her ribs or whatever they do to prevent torsion.

 

[Kayos and Havoc]

I was asked to post this here so maybe others can benefit. This is kind of our story of Havoc's bloat last night. He is home tonight and resting.






Thanks all!

Havoc is okay this morning. Reason why the vet opted for surgery was there was a lot of gas in the intestines and he could not see well, he was afraid of possible insusspecsion (don't know if I spelled that right). They decompressed stomach and got most of the stomach contents out and thankfully did not have to open the stomach itself. He did have torsion, 90 degrees. Also did a gastopexy at my request.

His heart rate was stable through out the surgery, No PVC's which I guess is common.

Reason why I suspected bloat: He was just uncomfortable and could net get comfortable. He had some minimal distention in his abdomen that I would have said was just gas or drank too much water too fast. He was not doing the back arching or pacing, he was panting too heavily tho. I gave 2 Gas X dissolvable strips.

He looked green around the gills so to speak and started to throw up so I let him outside. He produced a small amount. I called the vet. First signs at 6:55 PM, vet called at 7:01 PM. 2 Gas X in just before calling vet. Vet called back at 7:09PM. By then Havoc had thrown up white froth and seemed much better. Talked to vet who said he may be bloating but sounds like we may have stopped it or it was just gas, Recommended giving him a Pepcid and wait, vet called back 15 minutes later to check and Havoc was resting. The Pepcid appeared to work and Havoc actually rested for while. Then he got back up and started crying. Still no distention, back arching, nothing. Just not comfortable and in obvious distress. Gave more Gas X, Vet called again at 8:40PM and he said 'bring him in, better to err on the side of caution' . Met vet at 9:15, xray revealed mild bloat with no sign of torsion but had some gas in the intestines. Called in tech and by 10:15 Hav was in surgery. At midninght he was awake and recovering.

The vet was actually surprised by the bloat as Havoc really did not have any definitive signs, i.e. no distension. I think the Gas X helped and I think had we waited longer it would have fully developed and I might not have a dog today.

As it is he will come home tonight.



I am very thankful for my vet, Dr. Mark Ferrell, and his wonderful tech, Natalie, who left her family at a car show 20 miles away and hauled her butt in to assist in surgery. She is a treasure. Doc is also very savvy, knows I know my animals and if I say I think he needs to come in, then he needs to come in. He also was not going to rest if had some suspicion. I am glad we all acted on the possibility instead of letting it ride for another hour.
__________________

 

[lyssa62]

geez ...if this thread doesn't make me paranoid I don't know what thread would. I'm scared to death to even feed roxy or let her drink water at all

 

[CMorton]

I have lost 3 dogs to bloat.
My last one, Mickey, went very quickly and we didn't even make it to the emergency clinic.
I am working on getting the rest of my dogs tacked.
We have a bloat kit at home, we are well versed in the symptoms and CPR.
I don't feed or water until they are at a calm, well rested state.

 

[spacenuts]

Wow - now I'm completely paranoid about this.

Just to clarify, for those that believe in the 2 hour window.....I'm supposed to wait 2 hours after the dog has exercised to feed him? Or am I supposed to wait 2 hours after he's eaten to exercise him?

What is the definition of "vigorous" exercise? If my dog chases a bird around the yard for 2 minutes, do I have to wait an hour to feed him?

What if he runs around the yard for 15 minutes with a ball? Do I have to wait an hour to feed him?

What if he's running around the yard and is thirsty and takes 10 slurps of water? Will he bloat?