quote:
Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), also known as twisted stomach or gastric torsion, is a medical condition in which the stomach becomes overstretched and rotated by excessive gas content. The word bloat is often used as a general term to mean gas distension without stomach torsion (a normal change after eating), or to refer to GDV.

GDV is a life-threatening condition in dogs that requires prompt treatment. It is common in certain dog breeds; deep-chested breeds are especially at risk. Mortality rates in dogs range from 10 to 60 percent, even with treatment.[1] With surgery, the mortality rate is 15 to 33 percent

quote:

As a general rule, gastric dilatation-volvulus is of greatest risk to deep-chested dogs. The five breeds at greatest risk are Great Danes, Weimaraners, St. Bernards, Gordon Setters, and Irish Setters.[19] In fact, the lifetime risk for a Great Dane to develop gastric dilatation-volvulus has been estimated to be close to 37 percent.[20] Standard Poodles are also at risk for this health problem,[12] as are Irish Wolfhound,[6] Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers,[21] German Shorthaired Pointer, German Shepherds, Rhodesian ridgebacks. Basset Hounds and Dachshunds have the greatest risk for dogs less than 50 lb (23 kg)

More reading here

quote:
Initial signs are often associated with abdominal pain. These can include but are not limited to:
an anxious look or looking at the abdomen
standing and stretching
drooling
distending abdomen
retching without producing anything

I've always heard about dogs dying from bloat, but never had an experience with it firsthand. Last night, Sophie (oldest poodle - 6 or 7, cant remember smh) wouldn't sit down and kept pacing back and forth. When my parents let her out, she tried to throw up, but couldnt. She proceeded to lie down in the grass, which is very out of the ordinary. Parents took her to emergency clinic in Lafayette and they were like "she doesn't have bloat, it's prob just a stomach ache. bring her back in the morning." Tards.

Parents got them to X-ray her and got the infamous "smurf hat" image of the stomach.

They sent Soph to LSU Vet Clinic saying they'd be better equipped to handle it. Confirmed the radiographs and said she needed to be put in surgery right away. They basically drain the stomach with a tube or large bore needle, go in and untwist the stomach, reposition it, then tack it to the dog's abdominal wall(gastropexy). if too much time has passed, then the dog will likely die from the stomach being too necrotic, arrhythmia, etc.

Since we got Sophie in so early, everything looked fine on the inside and all of her tests came back good to go. When they used the tube to drain the stomach, it pretty much untwisted itself, so they didn't have to do much besides the gastropexy. Got 0 sleep and stayed at the LSU Vet all night, but oh well. She's got 6-7 more good years, so it was worth it.

My point is, dont take it lightly if your dog is behaving as described above. Time is critical for these cases, as the necrosis can compromise the dog very quickly and force your hand re: euthanasia. If we had listened to the retarded Lafayette vets, Sophie would've croaked this morning. You can't always visually assess a bloated stomach. Better to be safe than sorry.

Also, consider getting a gastropexy as a preventative measure when getting your dog fixed. Our primary vet never offered that up, but LSU doc said they usually recommend it.

Surgery was done by a 1st year resident, but she was awesome. Had no doubts the entire time.

AubiealumDVM, come drop some knowledge in this thread

Yay sophie. Should be able to bring her home in a few days.

From fark board