Gastropexy- any downside? Experiences please?? - Page 2

Yes, I'll bet they thought it was a cure. 

I have been all over the Dane forums and really can't find much listed in the "cons" category. 

Feeding a Gas-x with each meal can prevent bloat.

@Jenni78, I assume you heard correctly, when your vet said "sides".  The overhead x-rays I have, shows tacks on two separate sides, if I remember correctly.

Aside from the extremely infrequent failures which, quite correctly, are attributed to simple mechanics [strength of the abdominal wall tissue is not equal to the pull of the bloated stomach as the congested spleen influences the former organ to twist on its axis], the only other thing to consider is that once the gastropexy is done, it's important to make sure any other vet that ever needs to enter the dog's abdomen is aware it's been done, and which method was used.  My big guy was tacked after he bloated a few years back, and his tack in on the midline, so I'd need to mention that in the event he ever needs an emergency surgery, so whoever the vet is doesn't cut into the stomach itself.  Likewise, a stomach that's side-tacked will have to be handled differently in an abdominal surgery than a normal 'free' stomach, since it can't be moved out of the way as easily.

As you said, Jenni, I'd certainly never consider having the procedure done as a stand-alone event, but if the dog's being opened anyway, I'm always going to opt to get it done just for the sake of the additional time it can buy a dog if it bloats in the future.

[Should I just go ahead and dislike my post in advance, jerzy, so you don't have to waste your time doing so?]

Well, Hexe, I certainly respect your experience from a medical perspective on it, so as of now, unless I find something that scares the heck out of me, I think I'm going to do it. She's pretty special. 

"She's pretty special."

That she is, Jenni...that she is.  Will be sending good thoughts her way when she goes in for the surgery.

FWIW,  Taz was tacked when he was operated on for Bloat a couple of years back;

he has always had an excellent digestive process, particularly for a GSD,  and I have

not noticed any change to that since his op.  Nor, touch wood, has Bloat reoccurred.

Best of luck, Jenni, for Capri.

My first GS male experienced GDV @ 4 and was tacked during emergency surgery-other then a few scares, more on my part then actual issues during the few months following, lived a normal active life until he was PTS from paralysis from bulging/ruptured discs @ 13.

My 8 year old female was tacked during her first foreign obstruction surgery(@ 4yrs of age)-the two FOO surgeries plus the tack caused my vet to believe were contributors to her misshapen stomach issue earlier this year and is something I have to be aware of daily-other then that, she is healthy and very active.

I voluntarily had my younger male tacked @ 2 yrs, other then some minor issues during the few weeks following surgery, is going strong at nearly 7. 

Well, I guess I got a guinea pig- Eden had to have emergency surgery last night and I had her 'pexied. So she can test it out a little bit before I proceed w/Capri.

And Jen:  it seem as though the dogs that have the Gastropexy done without or I should say before any other issues arrive heal and have less trouble than the ones that have had emergency surgery for whatever reason and then have the Gastropexy done in addition to whatever emergency.  Just saying spay/gastropexy should be safe.  Nan