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Gastropexy in Dogs
What is Gastropexy?
Gastropexy in dogs is a surgical procedure in which the stomach is permanently attached to the muscle wall of the abdomen. This type of procedure is commonly used for dogs with reoccurring gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV). GDV is a condition in which the stomach fills will air and twists around, cutting off valuable life support to the gastric organ. This condition is common in large breed dogs; because of their deep chests, the stomach has more space to move about in the abdominal cavity. A gastropexy is performed by a licensed veterinarian and can be completed in most local veterinary clinics or hospitals.
Gastropexy Procedure in Dogs
A gastropexy procedure in dogs is commonly performed by creating an attaching the pyloric antrum to the right side of the abdominal wall, therefore, preventing further rotation of the gastric organ. Canine gastropexy can be achieved through several types of procedure including incisional, laparoscopic-assisted, belt-looped, circumcostal, tube or incorporating.
Incisional Gastropexy
Incisional gastropexy involves attaching the opposing muscular layer of the gastric wall to the right transversal wall of the abdomen.
Laparoscopic-assisted Gastropexy
Laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy is a technique that secures the stomach using suture or staples.
Belt-looped Gastropexy
Belt-looped gastropexy is a technique that involves tunneling a seromuscular flap through the wall of the abdomen.
Circumcostal Gastropexy
Circumcostal gastropexy involves taking a seromuscular flap from the stomach that is wrapped around the last rib of the rib cage, securing the stomach back into place.
Tube Gastropexy
Tube gastropexy involves placement of a mushroom-tipped tube through the wall of the abdomen and into the gastric lumen.
Incorporating Gastropexy
An incorporating gastropexy simply includes the stomach wall into the linea alba closure.
Efficacy of Gastropexy in Dogs
The overall goal the veterinarian wishes to achieve from a canine gastropexy is permanent adhesions between the abdominal and gastric wall. If the surgery was completed successfully, the gastropexy should not affect the stomach’s natural placement or gastric flow and have minimal complications and postoperative care.
Gastropexy Recovery in Dogs
Following a gastropexy surgery, your dog may require a short period of hospitalization to insure the surgical procedure was successful. Once the canine is allowed to return home, dietary restrictions will be put into place until the stomach has healed itself. As gastropexy is a surgical procedure, physical activities will be limited and an Elizabethan collar will need to be worn to prevent the dog from manipulating the incision site. Pain medications and antibiotics will be prescribed during the dog’s time of recovery, but may not be required after your follow-up appointment in four to six weeks.
Cost of Gastropexy in Dogs
The cost to have a gastropexy surgery completed on your dog depends on the type of surgical technique the veterinarian used. If you are able to catch your dog’s gastric dilatation-volvulus early, a non-emergency gastropexy costs approximately $400. However, an emergency gastropexy will cost an average of $1,500 or more to have completed.
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Dog Gastropexy Considerations
Gastropexy is a highly effective surgical option for treating gastric dilatation-volvulus, but there are several ways a veterinarian can treat this condition. Depending on your dog, one surgical option may be better than another. Ask your veterinarian about the most effective form of gastropexy for your dog.
Gastropexy Prevention in Dogs
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) commonly affects giant breed canines with deep, narrow chests. This breed disposition to GDV cannot be prevented, as well as, other uncontrolled risk factors including old age and fearful temperament. However, a dog that exercises shortly after eating, eats rapidly, or consumes large amounts of water and food, is at risk for developing GDV which can be prevented by the pet owner.
Gastropexy Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
English Bulldog
Mo
8 Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hiatal Hernia
I have an 8+ year old (turned 8 a couple months ago) English bulldog. Recently when doing a chest x-ray (allergic bronchitis) it was discovered that he has a hiatal hernia (he's NEVER had symptoms that I'm aware of...reflux, vomiting, etc). His vet is strongly encouraging a gastropexy to prevent bloat. I'm worried about the recovery as he's a very hyper dog who jumps a LOT (much of it a necessity because he's 13 inches tall!) I'm also just concerned in general as he's an older dog and they want to combine the surgery with a dental cleaning so, increased time under anesthesia. Is there a significant risk of bloat in this breed due to the hiatal hernia? Does it seem like this is a surgery he should have at this age? Thanks!
June 22, 2018
5 Recommendations
In the majority of cases the hernia would be a birth defect and Mo would have been living with this his whole life; however it is best practice to do the surgery to correct the hernia and to perform gastropexy. You may find out more information below in the articles from reputable sources. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://wagwalking.com/condition/hiatal-hernia
www.vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/hiatal-hernia
www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive-system/congenital-and-inherited-anomalies-of-the-digestive-system/hernias
June 22, 2018
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Newfoundland
Parker
11 Months
12 found this helpful
12 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
Hello! I have an 11 month old female Newfoundland who I am considering getting spayed in a few weeks (she just finished her first heat which, according to my research, was necessary to make sure she grew correctly), and I was wondering if you would recommend a prophylaxis gastropexy when I get her spayed? I've read that giant breeds, like Newfs, have a higher than average risk of getting bloat and stomach torsion.
Oct. 25, 2017
12 Recommendations
Personally I would recommend a gastropexy along with the ovariohysterectomy just because of the increased risk in the breed and your Veterinarian is going to be in there anyway and this little add on procedure will be relatively inexpensive compared to be possible cost of having to treat gastric dilatation-volvulus; think of it as insurance against it. Remember that not everyone will agree with my viewpoint, but it is best to do so in my opinion. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003578/
Oct. 25, 2017
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Golden Retriever
Corona
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My vet that I've going to for 14 years is doing a spay on my dog and his front desk women strongly advised I do a gastropexy on my golden retriever while hes in there. I've never heard of bloating being a problem for labs/retrievers unless they eat their food really fast and are active afterwards. My vet has neutered/spayed tons of our labs and never mentioned it before now so I am very skeptical wondering if it is necessary?
Bernedoodle
Ingrid
7 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Recent Gastropexy
We had our 7-month-old Bernedoodle get a laparoscopic gastropexy at the same time as a laparoscopic ovariectomy (spay). The discharge instructions were no jumping, stairs, running, etc. But she was so freaked out when I put the Elizabethan collar on her that she bucked and reared and sprinted around jumping against her leash until she knocked the collar off. I’m worried that she may have pulled out the stitches holding her stomach to the abdominal wall. How likely is this? I assume there’s no way to know if the stitches held?
