Bloat or Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus

Prophylactic Gastropexy

A life-threatening and preventable problem

Bloat is an acute condition affecting deep chested dogs. The most common breed affected is the Great Dane. Others include the German Shepherd Dog, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Weimaraner and setter dogs.

Bloat is caused by the stomach, containing food and gastric fluid, producing gas. The gas causes the stomach to expand. The stomach then turns on itself and twists. The twisting traps gas in the stomach causing it to get bigger and bigger. Twisting also cuts off blood supply to vital organs. Left untreated, death occurs rapidly.

Treatment involves removing the gas from the stomach. This can be accomplished by either placing a stomach tube down the esophagus, or, in severe cases, a trocar can be placed through the abdominal wall into the stomach allowing gas to escape.

Aggressive IV fluid therapy is needed to combat shock.

Surgery is then needed to “untwist” the stomach. The stomach and spleen are evaluated to make sure they were not damaged by loss of blood supply. In some cases, the spleen and part of the stomach may need to be removed. If the stomach and spleen are determined to be ok, the stomach is then tacked to the wall of the abdomen to keep it from twisting again. This procedure is called a gastropexy.

Vetcetera offers prophylactic gastropexy surgery. In predisposed breeds, we can tack the stomach to the abdominal wall while the dog is healthy and stable. We often do this procedure at the time of spay or neuter, but it can be done at any time. The gastropexy prevents the twisting of the stomach. The twisting is the life-threatening part of this condition.

If you have a predisposed breed, please talk to us to see if your dog is a candidate for prophylactic gastropexy. We will be glad to discuss this with you.

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