Preventive Operation for Bloat?
This past week we had our first vet visit with Lola. Our veterinarian, when talking about Lola's spaying surgery, mentioned that there is a surgical procedure that prevents bloat, permanently. Apparently, the surgeon somehow attaches the stomach to the abdominal wall, thereby making the risk of bloat obsolete in dogs who have had this procedure. Lola, during her spaying surgery, will also be having an umbilical hernia corrected and her microchip implanted, but we were a little reticent about this bloat surgery, and expressed that to the vet. He said "Anyone who has ever dealt with bloat would not even think twice about having this surgery." So, has anyone here heard of this surgery? Have first-hand (or paw) experience with it? Do you think the risk is worth it, being under general longer, etc.? And just how susceptible IS this breed to bloat? Thanks for any advice anyone can offer. We have a couple months to decide. Jennifer |
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| Welcome to you and Lola!
I have never had this done but, I have heard it is a great preventative! You will get great advice from other forum members! |
| Welcome to the forum.
Personally I think the operation is a bit drastic to be doing, OES are listed as being predisposed to Bloating but there are measures you can take to help minimise the risk factor during there life time. The breed has not reached the point like Great Danes where going to such measures in such a young dog is really necessary. Here is a link with information for you, good to read the signs of a dog bloating and information for you on preventative measures. Bloat can happen to any large deep chested breed like OES but being aware and following things like not letting them drink gallons of water after heavy exercise or things like resting them after a meal and feeding two meals a day rather then one large one when they are mature etc etc etc it's all there on this link for you. 
http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm Now spaying bitches in this breed there is a risk factor she could get early spay incontinence due to her immaturity. Recomended age for spaying is over 6 months to allow them a bit more maturity and before there first heat and it lessens the problem of "Spay Incontinence" Best wishes with your first Fur Kid  |
| Hi Jennifer and welcome to the forum, I have never had any unnecessary surgery done on my sheepies of course with the hernia being corrected this needs to be done, but as Lisa pointed out wait with the speying and I would go even further and say wait until after her first heat. Regarding bloat if you feed the dog twice a day (of coarse the pup will e fed more times a day) and make her relax for at least an hour after the meal this will reduce the chances of bloat happening. Remember the following. 1) Do not let her drink any amout of water just before and just after the meal. 2) No exercise including playing just before and as I said for at least an hour after the meal. 3)Preferably two smaller meals a day. 4) Try and make her eat slowly (I have two at hoe who just vacuum the food in). I hope you have a nice time with your new friend and we all look forward to hearing more about her. |
| I believe bloat is more common in a deep chested dog. but don't let your dog drink after a hard training or exercise session . Hitchhiker a GSD and I just got home from a hard training session on a hot day and he drank alot of water ( I didn't know any better at that time), Hitchhiker developed bloat, was operated on within 4 hours and was gone by the morning . the vet while operating on him to try and save him also tacked his stomache to the wall during operation. |
| While I would not open your dog up for the surgery, since she's open I'd honestly consider it. I know I'm the dissenting voice here so far.
We nearly lost our Portage to atypical bloat (his stomach hadn't flipped) and it was horrifying. Even though we got there in time and the surgery was a success we still had a week of waiting to see IF he'd live. The emergency vet initially suggested this surgery (tying it to the abdominal wall), but when she opened him up the problem was a severe over binge (on prednisone at the time) and an enlarged (but later discovered to be benign) liver condition that prevented his bloated tummy from being able to vomit. So, connecting it to the wall of his abdomen was unnecessary as it wasn't typical bloat. And his liver condition actually makes it nearly impossible for his tummy to flip at this point. We'd have had it done at that point otherwise. It was a horrible experience and I've been told that sixty percent of dogs who get to the vet in time may experience life threatening complications afterward, and be lost anyway. It's the most heartbreaking thing to see your dog in bloat. My memory on what he went through is absolutely crystal clear. Not one single moment of it has faded. I remember every look, every cry, every step in the process. I am not advising you to do this, but I am suggesting you not automatically discount it either. I know someone who lost her Dane to typical bloat, and it happened when they were out and by the time they came home he was gone. Yes there are lots of things to do to prevent it, but it is a real risk. It's a big decision to make. I would weigh it carefully. The idea that your dog will be in surgery already makes it worth at least considering. Good luck to you in whatever you decide. Tracie, Portage and (evil) Hudson |
| My s-i-l's St Bernard had bloat. They were able to save her and did the stomach attachment. Unfortunately, the sutures managed to come undone and Casey again got bloat, which she didn't survive.
The procedure for the attachment may have improved over time, it may reduce the risk of bloat, but it shouldn't be considered impossible for them to have bloat after the surgery. |
| Doesn't this surgery only save them from stomach flipping bloat though? Isn't there still another way that it can occur even with the stomach tacked down?
My sister is getting a Great Dane so we've been doing a ton of research on bloat and Dane related issues and I feel like I read that about the surgery. I'll see if I can find where I read that. |
| From what I understand the tacking of the stomach prevents the stomach from flipping during an attack of Bloat |
| If it is truly as simple as tacking the stomach and she's already having abdominal sugery, and there are no significant side effects, I'd probably go for it in a heartbeat.
What's the added cost? |
Jill, a dog can bloat without the stomach flipping (volvulus), but, from what I have read, it's worse if the stomach flips as it compresses a major vein causing shock from a restriction of blood to the heart, in addition to preventing a dog from vomiting or releasing pressure from the gas build up. Bloat sucks. 
My vet asked me if we wanted to do this procedure on Oscar, as dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease have a higher incidence of GDV (gastric dilation volvulus - bloat with the stomach torsion). If Oscar ever requires any additional abdominal surgery I would have my vet do this preventive procedure on him at that time. For now though, he is fed 1C of kibble, 3 times per day, and is never exercised near his feeding times. In addition, he is only given 10 - 12 oz of water at any given time. It takes a bit of time management, but hopefully all of my scheduling will work and we will never have to experience a bloat issue. Since you have a pup who is already having abdominal surgery, I would seriously consider this surgery. JMHO. Laurie and Oscar |
| First of all, you guys are awesome, and thank you so much for all the information.
I guess ultimately this is going to be my (and my husband's) call. What a tough decision. Honestly, bloat terrifies me, and so does the thought of one day having a regret the size mine will be if we *didn't* do it and she got bloat. Then again, I'm really pretty firmly set against unnecessary surgery, as well. I really appreciate the information re: spaying. There's so much contradictory information out there on this subject, and of course I want to do what is best for my sweet girl. I'm more than happy to wait until after her first heat, if the general consensus among experienced owners is that that is best. How will I know when she's in heat? Thanks again, and I will be sure to update you guys with what we decide. Please keep the thoughts and opinions and anecdotal evidence (both in favor and against) coming.  |
| the tacking of the stomach does not prevent bloat. it prevents the torsion associated with bloat but the stomach can still "swell" aka bloat. it is less serious than a full blown GDV Gastric dilitated volvulus but it is still a serious matter.
I personally dont thin OEs are very prone to it but it can happen to any dog. so never say never. |
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