Bloat and Preventative Gastropexy

[Madelon]

So glad she's gained her weight back so quickly - it's always such a relief when they fill out again . As for cutting out the mid day meal - I recommend reducing the food slowly so you can find the right amount to keep her weight where it needs to be. So if you're feeding 2 cups 3x a day maybe reduce the mid-day meal to 1cup OR cut out the mid-day meal BUT increase am/pm meals by 1/2 cup. I would only reduce by 1 cup and see how that goes for a while. My boy requires a bit more food than most to keep his weight where it needs to be.

As for lack of energy - YES low B12 will cause loss of energy. If you're not supplementing B12 you need to - it's critical to properly managing EPI and supplementing is for life.

[Paige's Guardian]

Good Morning!

I am a Great Dane owner for the past 8 years and volunteered for a Dane rescue for almost 5 years. My Dane (malabsorption, SID) bloated 2x but did not twist bc she was tacked with her spay at 18 months. She is on GasX for life. unfortunately, my big choc lab did bloat with GDV last year in March. I recognized it immediately when I returned home from being out of town AND with surgery he survived.

So, there is a lot we don't know and a lot of misinformation. I do tack ALL of my Danes. Most excellent Dane breeders, those who show and do OFA testing, will require tacking when the dog is fixed. My 7 month old Dane female will be tacked when spayed. The recovery is different from just a spay alone so, I recommend talking to your vet. We do longer crate rest and 4-5 small meals a day. Finding the right vet surgeon is the challenge. I have a quote from my current vet in AZ for about $2500 so, I might return to TX for a visit and have the surgery done there for about $600 at our old vet clinic. Our old TX vet does all the tacks for DEA, Border patrol and police dogs.

I do feed with elevated bowls. When my dogs are young, they are crated after eating and this gets them used to quiet time after eating. This new puppy is a challenge bc when I get home she just wants to eat and play. So, she plays first then once settled and stops panting she eats. Then, settle for 30-60 minutes. The older dogs are used to the routine but sometimes they play and regurgitate if I am not quick enough to stop them. There is some research that suggests that feeding ALL dry food is a risk factor. My dogs get a mixture of wet and dry which was shown to have less risk of bloat. Nervous anxious dogs are also at higher risk. Both my Dane and Lab that bloated are anxious nervous dogs.

My choc lab that had GDV last year was my rock solid iron stomach guy. He ALWAYS had solid stools his entire life and could eat anything. He bloated after being on a course of antibiotics post dental work. That threw his stomach off so, I think that change in his stomach flora is what put him at risk. The vets were VERY surprised that was the first time he bloated at age 10.

When I get another lab in the future, he/she will also be tacked when fixed. We just don't know enough and cannot watch them enough.

Hope that helps.
Conny

[Jean]

Conny , thank you so much for this insight, we rely on people's experiences, and this will go towards any decision in the future



Jean

[Ehellriegel]

Hi Conny,

Thank you so much for your reply, your story sheds lots of light on the subject! I do understand it will be more recovery than just a spay, but one surgery is certainly better than two. It is hard to find the right vet, especially when prices vary so wildly. We are currently looking for a vet that has more experience with EPI so we can get information from someone who knows the condition. Luckily, Fi is not a very nervous dog. She doesn't seem to have any separation anxiety (sleeping every time I check the doggy cam), and she is definitely more abrasive than nervous around other dogs.

I completely agree with your statement "we just don't know enough and cannot watch them enough." That train of thought is what is leading me closer to getting a preventative gastropexy so that if Fi ever does bloat, it may not be as immediately life-threatening. Whatever the cost, I think it may be worth the peace of mind.

[Ehellriegel]

Where does everyone get their liquid Gas-X or Mylanta from? I haven't been able to find the liquid version or the gas-specific Mylanta. I'd like to have some on hand as a precaution!

[jilbert57]

Liquid Mylanta from Amazon.

Jill

[Ehellriegel]

Is the Mylanta antacid + anti-gas what you're referring to? I can only find the Mylanta Gas in capsules, no liquid. Thanks Jill!

[Jean]

https://www.amazon.com/Mylanta-Maximum- ... 251&sr=8-1


and it says its safe for dogs

[Ehellriegel]

Thank you, just ordered some!! Not sure why the 2-pack is $20 when they sell single bottles for $7... So I ordered the single bottle!

I've read that it may be a good idea to administer some to your dog if they show signs of excess gas (burping multiple times, loud stomach noises) after a meal, is this recommended? Or is it only for emergency cases?

And what is the dosing recommendation for dogs?

[Jean]

this is one site I looked at

https://www.wiki-pet.com/health/dog/cha ... -chart.php