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Julian's gastropexy
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Member Since:
22 August 2008
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1
10 March 2011 - 12:51 am
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Yesterday Julian had a prophylactic gastropexy to help prevent bloat. The procedure was done laparoscopically with a small hole for the camera and a small incision. This surgery should help reduce the risk of torsion ("bloat") by up to 95% and is very minimally invasive. 

Image Enlarger

The main reason I bring this up is that many of the dogs on this site are large or giant breeds and these dogs are at increased risk for bloating.  Nationally the top 3 breeds seen at emergency clinics for bloat are Great Danes (up to 40% of all Danes), German Shepherds, and Standard Poodles.  Any dog can bloat but larger and deeper chested dogs seem most likely to have this problem.  The term bloat actually can mean 2 things.  A dog that has a dilated stomach full of gas or food is technically bloated but this can usually be treated medically with a stomach tube and meds. When the stomach flips over on itself (volvulus) and then dilates the condition is called GDV (gastric dilatation and volvulus) and then becomes life-threatening because the dog can't vomit and soon suffers from shock or stomach rupture.

Dogs with GDV have up to a 50% mortality rate and the surgery to untwist the stomach and tack it in place (gastropexy) can cost $3000-$5000.  Many vets are now doing the gastropexy on healthy dogs at high risk to help prevent the problem.  If done with a laparoscope or endoscope the dog recovers quickly and the cost is in the $500-$800 range (in our area).  Many dogs are puppies so can also be spayed or neutered at the same time.  I did not have Julian neutered yet since he is still growing (!!).

Pam



Member Since:
22 August 2008
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10 March 2011 - 1:07 am
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I am not sure why part of my post is in red lettering.  Does anyone know?  Also I could not use the "tree" icon like I have done in the past so I could not post the picture of his incision.

Pam

knoxville, tn
Member Since:
12 February 2010
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10 March 2011 - 7:56 am
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this is great information.  i didn't know they could do this with such a small incision.  seems like money well spent for peace of mind and elimination of a scary possibility...

Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included).  She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.

Love Never Ends

http://etgayle

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 March 2011 - 11:20 am
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How timely Pam, we were just talking about saving our pennies to do this for Wyatt. He always has such funky sounds coming from his stomach after he gulps his food down, we worry a lot about this. I know the cost of the surgery is nothing compared to what treatment for bloat costs, if the dog lives that long.

Thank you for the GREAT information!

P.S. Your post had a lot of funky formatting in it, which is why I think you had problems posting the pic. Did you paste it in from somewhere else? I fixed it for ya.

 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 March 2011 - 11:25 am
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Oh just wanted to add that we use a Brake-Fast Bowl

for Wyatt, which is supposed to help prevent bloat by slowing him down.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Monkeybutt-Bunny Vampire
6
10 March 2011 - 2:01 pm
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Cosmo needs a small break fast bowl since he can eat in 3 seconds flat!  Is the affiliate link okay if I search to get the small size one? 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 March 2011 - 2:18 pm
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monkeybutt-bunny said:

Is the affiliate link okay if I search...

Sure! But only if you use Firefox.*

 

*Inside joke. If cookies are enabled clicks via any affiliate link should track through to any final purchase.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Greater Western Washington area
Member Since:
25 August 2010
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10 March 2011 - 6:09 pm
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I am so glad Julian did well.  Please give that squishy faced boy a squeeze for Sammy and I, we (me) adore him!

Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,

leg fractured 8/27/10,

leg amputated 8/30/10

http://sammyand.....pawds.com/

 

I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us.  Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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10 March 2011 - 9:38 pm
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That is so cool of you posting Pam!  I've never worried about bloat before but now I do because I have a super fast eater.  I think I'm getting old because I won't let my dogs play right after eating. 

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.

Member Since:
23 July 2010
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11 March 2011 - 8:04 pm
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Dear Dr. Pam,

I am so glad to hear that Julian did well with his surgery, that is so great.

As many of you know, my sweet JD was fighting osteosarcoma and recovering very well from her amputation when she got her bloat. Or should I say the bloat got her.  Just out for a roll in the grass, enjoying the sunshine..that was all it took for her stomach to flip. It can happen in an instant.

Thank you for sharing the information about the surgery-could be life saving!

Deborah

Mom to Spirit JD anad the quadpaws Serena & Maya

JD

One Tough Girl

(1999-2010)

-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –

-Amputation July 23 2010 –

-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-

-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-

Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya

Member Since:
20 May 2009
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12 March 2011 - 11:05 am
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I'm curious about your comment about not neutering Julian now because he is still growing.  I have always heard to have it done while they are still little.  

Debra

Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.



Member Since:
22 August 2008
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13 March 2011 - 10:24 am
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Debra,

There is some newer info regarding when is the best time to spay or neuter dogs.  Studies have shown that dogs neutered before their growth plates close are at increased risk for ACL rupture and bone cancer. Different breeds grow at different rates so giant breeds finish at 2 years, large breeds (Labs or Shepherds) about 18 months, and medium breeds (Border Collies) about 1 year.  Smaller dogs like Dachshunds can still be done at 6-8 months of age.  If male dogs are getting aggressive then I might do them earlier and not everyone can tolerate having a female in heat so you can adjust the neuter time according to your needs.  Of course it is important not to have unwanted pregnancies so if people can't be responsible then it is better to neuter early.

Pam

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