So, vet school teaches that gastropexy is a potentially life saving surgery, which I know is true. The problem is... I can't find enough information to make my own opinion about whether or not it's worth it.

So, please my great Leerburg friends, give me yours.

Is gastropexy surgery worth it? If so, why? If not, why not? Please give any resources you have on the subject as well. One of my instructors said that he would have lost two dogs if they weren't tacked. So I want more opinions.

Thanks!

Hi Katie,
I was just interested in your question and found this:
http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/Medicine/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/318532
With in this article:

 Quote:

THE PRIMARY INDICATION for gastropexy is to prevent the development or recurrence of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).1-16 GDV most often affects large- and giant-breed dogs that have deep and narrow chests.2-8,13-15 Several other risk factors have been associated with the development of GDV, including increasing age, ingestion of large amounts of food or water, eating rapidly or from an elevated food dish, fearful temperament, and exercise after eating.3-5,15,17-19 Additionally, first-degree relatives of dogs with GDV appear to be at an increased risk; prophylactic gastropexy is recommended in these animals.2,4,15 Because dogs with GDV that do not undergo a gastropexy have recurrence rates of more than 70% and mortality rates of 80%, gastropexy should also be performed in all patients with GDV.1,11,20

Considering that this states that Because dogs with GDV that do not undergo a gastropexy have recurrence rates of more than 70% and mortality rates of 80%, gastropexy should also be performed in all patients with GDV.1,11,20

Having not had any personal experience with GVD, but if I had a young dog that did have an occurrence of GVD, and the increased risk was as high as 70% for re-occurrence, and potential for and 80% chance of dying from it, I would not hesitate to get the procedure done.
Especially if I knew of the history of the dogs with a first degree relative.
It all depends on the value of the dog, and the time invested.
For me personally, it is something worth doing if it meant the peace of mind it brings, if the dog were prone to such a thing.

---

Joyce Salazar

Hi,
In the Great Dane community that we’re involved with the ratio of people having the minimally invasive gastropexy on their dogs is about 60/40.
The more involved surgery is probably about 30/70.
We know of 3 Danes that died while having or recovering from the more involved surgery, and a lot of our friends think that risk is more dangerous than the risk of bloat and torsion.
I haven’t had the surgery done on any of my Danes, but nor had I heard about it until about 5 years ago, then when Maggie and Henry came into our lives there wasn’t a vet anywhere in our area that was experienced with the minimally invasive gastropexy and only a couple that had any real knowledge of the more involved surgery.
If we could have found a knowledgeable vet to do the minimally invasive gastropexy, and we were comfortable with their anesthesia and recovery practices we probably would have gone ahead and had it done when Maggie and Henry were spayed and neutered......it would at least give us some extra time to get to the emergency clinic if either of our dogs went into bloat.
Over the last couple of years a lot more vets in our area are now doing the surgeries, but we would not put our dogs through surgery/anesthesia now they’re older unless we really had no other choice, that risk alone is too high for us.

Hope this helps you. )

My otherwise healthy GSD bloated at age 4 and had a gastropexy done. I'm confident it saved his life. It also gives me some measure of comfort not having to constantly be waiting for the "next time." It's big time surgery and the recovery was long but I would do it again without reservation.

Some vets can do it laproscopically.

Thanks everyone. I would absolutely do it if my dog bloated. But I'm not sure how I feel about doing it just because. I agree with Eileen that the minimally invasive surgery is MUCH safer than the old fashioned. I guess the decision really would be when and what kind of surgery based.

Tracy, glad your pup came out well!

I have a Leonberger and I spent a lot of time reading about bloat prevention and treatment before I got my dog.

My choice was, that if she were going to be spayed then I would have the surgery done at the same time, if she bloated and they were able to save her, I would have her tacked then, otherwise, to put her under just because seemed like too high a risk.

She has not been spayed yet at 3 years old and has not had an incident of bloat (Knock on wood) so I have not gotten her the surgery as of yet.