BLOAT Prevention

[lilysmom]

Has anyone ever heard of getting a procedure called a gastropexy done at the same time as a spay/neuter to prevent Bloat?  I read an article on it and wanted to see if anyone here had it done and about what the cost was.  I've always been very fearful of bloat and if there's something I can do to ease my mind about it, I want to do it.  Thanks.

[Good Hope]

Lily,

Do you know the 20 signs of bloat and have them handy?  A Kuvasz board I belong to posted them recently. I'd be happy to share them if you would like. Have you spoken with your Vet. about bloat or the procedure? Does your Lily have a family hx of bloat? Is it more common in her breed? Does the article say what factors indicated those dogs were high risk for bloat, how many dogs had the procedure, and for how many years they were followed? Does Lily have any of the factors indicated to make you believe she would be a candidate for this surgery?

I have not read any articles regarding the procedure as preventive, but I really do not have alot of journals on dogs like I do with horses. I'll try to help you if I can though. Can you give me the name of the article and publication info so I can try to read it? Let me know.

Deena

[lilysmom]

I heard that the procedure by itself is like $1500 but if you get it done during a spay/neuter it's only a couple hundred.  I guess I'll have to call my vet today.

[lilysmom]

Lily,

Do you know the 20 signs of bloat and have them handy?  A Kuvasz board I belong to posted them recently. I'd be happy to share them if you would like. Have you spoken with your Vet. about bloat or the procedure? Does your Lily have a family hx of bloat? Is it more common in her breed? Does the article say what factors indicated those dogs were high risk for bloat, how many dogs had the procedure, and for how many years they were followed? Does Lily have any of the factors indicated to make you believe she would be a candidate for this surgery?

I have not read any articles regarding the procedure as preventive, but I really do not have alot of journals on dogs like I do with horses. I'll try to help you if I can though. Can you give me the name of the article and publication info so I can try to read it? Let me know.

Deena

I don't know her history.  That's why I'm scared of it.  I read all the signs.  I have them committed to memory.  I'm contacting my vet today.  Here's the link I went to.  There are a bunch of stories and history.  http://www.ginnie.com/bloat.htm

[Good Hope]

For the benefit of those who may not know the symptoms of bloat, here are the 20 signs:

1. Rigid (hard) abdomen
2. Painful when touched in the abdomen
3. Vomiting foamy or liquid material
4. Unproductive attempts at vomiting or retching
5. Distended abdomen
6. Arched back
7. Praying position (down in front, rear standing)
8. Laying down on belly - crouched position
9. Curling up in a ball
10. Laying or sitting in an unusual location
11. Seeking a hiding place
12. Looking at their side
13. Frequent swallowing (aerophagia)
14. Hypersalivatio n (drooling heavily)
15. Drinking excessively
16. Lack of appetite
17. Quiet, any abnormal behavior
18. Lethargy, weakness
19. Panting, breathing rapidly or heavily
20. Red gums, or white gums (not normal pink color)

The symptoms vary widely between, and many are non-specific.  Hopefully no one here will ever have the occasion to use this knowledge, but it is common enought that being aware of these is a good idea.

Sofia

[GR8DAME]

Gastroplexy is recommended whenever the subject comes up on the Dane rescue site that I frequent, although I have not had it done for any of my crew. It is my understanding that although it doesn't prevent bloat, it does help prevent the torsion of the stomach, which is what leads to so may fatalities.
As far as the cost is concerned, if you do have a dog who is likely to bloat, the cost of the gastroplexy is far less than the cost of emergency bloat treatment. JMO.
Stella

[GreatDanz]

I didn't tack Mickey when I neutered him, it's a much more invasive procedure than just the neuter.  I feed RAW, and based on dane owner's experience this can drastically reduce the chances of bloat.  Actually, I have not yet found a dane owner who's had a RAW dog bloat.

I also don't restrict their behavior before or after eating, to me this would add to their stress which IMO is much more dangerous.

In the case of an unknown history, I would seriously consider tacking, but I wouldn't stress too much if I couldn't afford it or felt it was too risky.  Dogs can still die even if tacked, and there's no guarantee that the tack will hold.

[lilysmom]

I've been trying to switch to raw, but Lily has decided she doesn't like most of it.  She picks out all the fish and throws it on the floor.  I'm still trying though.  I know it reduces the risks.  I'm still waiting to hear back from my vet and I'll let you all know what she says.

[Anky]

There are two kinds of tacking.  Both CAN come undone.  One is where they loop the stomach and the other is they just sew it.  And bloat in and of itself isn't deadly.  Like Stella said, the Torsion is what kills dogs, and that's what the gastroplexy is supposed to prevent.  I keep debating on whether or not to have it done to Nee when he goes in for his neuter.  I have to meet with the Dr as they don't give price quotes for it over the phone (Seeing as how the nueter's gonna be $330 the stomach tacking had better be cheap!)  I won't put him under twice for it though.

[Anky]

Holly, 

I did the expansion test with Evo.  Left it in water overnight.  It changed colors but it didn't expand.  I love this food

[lilysmom]

I follow most of those guidelines.  Except I never did the expansion test on their current food.  I'll have to try that.  I do use a raised feeder though.  I think it aids with digestion.  That's just my opinion though.  I've been searching the whole internet to find a food that will work for Lily.  She is refusing the raw diet.  She spits out half of it and doesn't like the mushy feeling.  So we're working on that.  As for the surgery, I just talked to the surgeon at my vet office and she wants to meet with me to discuss the procedure.  She said it will cost about an additional 250 on top of the spay.  She said there are actually 5 different types to the surgery.  So we have to decide which one is best.  But I think I'm going to have it done.  If not to prevent bloat, than to make it easier to survive then.  Thanks for everyone's imput.

[Anky]

You should talk to Jens2Danes.  Her Dutchess had a LOAD of skin problems and now she's doing great. 

[babs2Sully]

This was very interesting and informative reading..

I unfortunately have experienced a dog (a 9 y/o black lab) with torque.  It's the saddest and most horrible death for an animal. 
I use the precautions mentioned in another post for my IrishWolfhound regarding the reduced activity, limited water intake, etc. Sullivan is in tact and therefore hasn't had the tacking surgery either. Perhaps after he has bred, we will consider that additional surgery.  I believe it would be worth it.
Can someone explaing to me what stresses are there for a dog?  or maybe I should say, what do you consider stressful for a dog?

[lilysmom]

I would like to know what is condsidered stress also.  Is playing with another dog stressful?

Yeah, Ang, I didn't mention that we leave Mattie's soaking for awhile longer because she can swallow better if it's softer (due to her megaesophagus). So, I have seen it at it's maximum expansion, and it's not much different at all.

I sure wish it fixed her itchies, though! It was recommended to us to add Nupro to boost her immune system. This was supposed to help the allergy stuff. It has definitely helped, but it hasn't alleviated it. Maybe nothing will, but I feel like we have to keep trying. If nothing else, we have to try a new single protein source.

There is a holistic food seller out of texas called flint river, they have a food that is supposed to reduce allergies.  Maybe it's worth a try.  They have sample packs and it's free shipping.  I was thinking of trying it myself.  the web address is www.flintriver .com 

[shangrila]

Zoey has been tacked and I am so glad we did it! We had it done with her spay, and she required no extra anesthesia and no more recovery time. It was pretty expensive -  I think when all was said and done it cost an extra $300-400, but that is because we got it at tuft's (one of the best teaching animal hospitals in the country, which happens to be near my house) instead of our normal vet, and they wicked overcharge for everything (even the spay alone was $400). I believe it would be substantially cheaper at a normal vet. The peace of mind it provided was worth every cent though