Sparky may appear to have a stomach made of iron, but even he is susceptible to “bloat.” ”.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), a very serious condition that can cause death in dogs, is the medical name for it.
Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus, is most common in deep-chested, large breed dogs, according to Dr. Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences professor Michael Willard
According to Willard, stomach bloating can occasionally be accompanied by the stomach twisting (volvulus). Unproductive gagging and retching, abdominal pain and/or distention, shock, breathing difficulties, and in some cases even death are possible symptoms.
Exercise, diet, and a dog’s chest size and depth could all be risk factors. Owners of large breed dogs should be aware of the rapid and frequently fatal effects of GDV, despite the fact that it affects pets less frequently than many other emergency conditions.
In large breed dogs, GDV is a significant cause of death. About 70% of animals with GDV who are diagnosed and treated promptly survive, compared to less than 30% of those who receive late diagnosis and treatment.
Willard advises dog owners to take their dogs to a veterinarian right away if they think their dog has GDV. He or she will release pressure in the stomach and treat shock in the animal by giving it fluids.
If the stomach has twisted, the veterinarian may need to perform surgery after the patient has been stabilized.
“GDV cannot reliably be prevented. In some circumstances, a surgical procedure called a gastropexy, in which the stomach is sutured (stitched) to the abdominal wall, can prevent the twisting of the gut, said Willard. “Prophylactic gastroplexy may significantly reduce, but it does not completely eliminate, the risk of recurrence.” ”.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for GDV in dogs. It is expensive to treat and can become fatal in as little as four to six hours. Willard estimates that treating a GDV case with surgery typically costs between $2,000 and $5,000, but the cost could be significantly higher if there are complications.
Dogs who have previously had GDV are more likely to get it again. Owners shouldn’t wait to see if the sick dog gets better on its own due to the quick and fatal effects of GDV. Willard advises taking the dog to the vet right away if it is actively gagging. Sparky may be able to avoid this frequently fatal stomach ache with early detection and treatment.
The Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences provides Pet Talk as a service. Stories can be viewed on the Web at vetmed. tamu. edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvm. tamu. edu.
Does Your Dog Need a Gastropexy?
A gastropexy should, in my opinion, be performed on any shepherd, dane, mastiff, lab, majority of hunting and guardian breeds, or really any dog over 50 pounds, especially those with deep chests. When I was a college student, my own dog received a GDV, and I had to add $3500 to my student loans to save him. Fortunately, we got him to the hospital in time.
Early in my veterinary career, I learned that every shepherd and labrador retriever serving as military working dogs in any branch of the United States Military (tens of thousands of dogs) receives a pexy, which confirmed my feelings about pexies. Due to the unacceptably high number of military working dogs lost to GDV, the military made this a law. These dogs can be stoic, so either the symptoms weren’t noticed right away or they couldn’t make it to a hospital unit with a vet in time. To prevent the loss of these life-saving heroes, they now even go so far as to pexy any contractor’s dogs working with US forces downrange.
The stomach is examined, completely emptied of its contents, and then manually untwisted in the surgical treatment of bloat. A partial resection of the stomach and/or a complete resection of the spleen may be necessary due to the possibility of some stomach death and the possibility that the nearby spleen was wound up in the process.
Even though the diagnosis may occasionally seem obvious to a trained professional, the best way to make the diagnosis is through X-rays that show a distinctive, bi-lobed pattern of gas accumulation in the stomach. Despite the fact that blood work and other lab tests are a given, they are actually more useful for treatment than for diagnosis.
Therefore, prevention involves avoiding breeding dogs from a family that appears predisposed to bloat and paying attention to the risk factors listed above. Additionally, prophylactic gastropexies are frequently advised for dogs of high-risk breeds or sizes. This relatively simple procedure may be easier to perform concurrently with a spay or other abdominal procedure.
Unfortunately, many dogs do not survive this process. The heart and many other organs may continue to suffer days after a successful surgery because many toxins may be released for days after a stomach is realigned. Because of this, dogs are frequently kept in hospitals for several days following surgery.
Bloat treatment must always be started immediately if it is to be effective. The first steps include stabilizing any abnormal heart rhythms, stomach decompression to relieve the gas and its pressure on the stomach and its vessels, and fluid therapy to combat shock. After this basic approach is initiated, surgery is invariably required.
What Happens During a Gastropexy Surgery?
Prior to performing a gastropexy procedure, the stomach of the dog is properly “tacked” or sutured to the abdominal wall. In the event that the stomach were to fill with gas, this stops it from turning and twisting. The procedure greatly lessens the potentially fatal effects associated with bloat, though it does not completely prevent a dog from experiencing it.
When an emergency gastropexy is performed, the stomach is first de-rotated or untwisted before being fastened to the abdominal wall. Reduced pressure on the stomach wall and internal organs is urgently required. This may be done by passing a stomach tube. If that isn’t possible because of the stomach’s rotation, the pressure inside the stomach may be reduced by inserting a large catheter through the skin. In addition, shock treatment must start right away, typically with intravenous fluids and life-saving drugs.
The gastropexy portion of the procedure will start once the dog is stable, is able to go under anesthesia, and the stomach has been put back in its right place. The remediation will be carried out to stop the problem from arising again in the future.
FAQ
How much is a GDV surgery for a dog?
A non-emergency gastropexy for your dog that has a gastric dilatation-volvulus costs roughly $400. On the other hand, the average cost of an urgent gastropexy is $1,500 or more.
Can a dog survive GDV without surgery?
If your dog has a true GDV, it must be surgically treated for it to be curable. The only option that will spare the dog from suffering after surgery and postoperative care is euthanasia.
How successful is GDV surgery?
Prognosis depends on how sick they get. If GDV is treated quickly, the survival rate is good (>80%). While complications such as stomach necrosis, cardiac arrhythmias, bleeding, and sepsis are possible, most dogs will survive this condition with prompt emergency care and surgery.
Can you save a dog with GDV?
GDV requires surgery to correct, specifically a procedure called “gastropexy. Your dog won’t survive stomach bloat without surgical intervention. The only other option, if you decide against or are unable to proceed with the surgery, is probably euthanasia.