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GDV and Gastropexy

Bloat, also known as GDV, happens when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and twists. When it twists, it cuts off the blood and oxygen supply to the stomach. As the gas filled stomach pushes against organs and blood vessels, blood flow is decreased throughout the body. Without treatment right away, GDV can be deadly to your dog.

While any dog can have a GDV, large, deep-chested breeds are most affected. Common large, deep-chested dogs are Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish Setters, Standard Poodles, Basset Hounds, Doberman, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Old English Sheepdogs. Deep-chested dogs are more likely to develop GDV because their chest allows for more room for the stomach to turn around and stay flipped.

While there is no specific reasoning for why they bloat, studies shows the bloat likelihood increases with age. Also, eating and drinking quickly and then exercising afterwards seems to increase chances.

Symptoms of GDV often include restlessness, pacing, bloated/painful abdomen, excessive drooling, rapid breathing, and the most common symptom is unproductive retching.

Luckily, veterinarians are more often recommending and owners are more often electing to do a preventative surgery for GDV called Gastropexy.

Preventive gastropexy surgically attaches the stomach to the abdominal wall to prevent the stomach from twisting. Though the surgery stops the flipping, dog's stomachs can still fill with air and become uncomfortable, though it is much less severe.

Gastropexy is traditionally performed through an open abdominal incision and can be done at the time of their spay/neuter. As veterinary medicine has advanced though, so has the options for the gastropexy surgery. Some clinics are able to do the surgery laprascopically or endoscopically (we don't at FFVH).

If your dog does bloat, most veterinarians would recommend performing a gastropexy while they are already in surgically fixing the GDV. Unfortunately, if you choose not to perform the gastropexy after a GDV surgery, it is likely they will bloat again and it is most likely to be deadly the second time.

Other things you can do to prevent bloating in your large breed/ deep chested dog are using a slow feeder so they can not eat as quickly, smaller more frequent meals, and resting after eating.



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