Prophylactic Gastropexy

**Burns** · 04-16-2007, 08:45 PM

I've been doing A LOT of research on GDV, and I wondered how many people here have had issues with their Dobermans and bloat.

I've read that there could be a genetic predisposition, so I spoke to the breeder and she said only one dog in my pup's pedigree (great grandfather) was affected with bloat. Also, I've been doing research about how to decrease risks of bloat such as non-raised food/water bowls, no exercise right before/after meals, etc. Is there any other bloat prevention tips anyone knows of?

I guess I'm a worry-wart, but I've been considering a prophylactic gastropexy as the time of neuter. For those who aren't familiar with the terms, prophylactic = preventative, gastropexy = stomach tacking. I know it would be more practical to have it done with a female because they're "already in there" for the spay, but I dunno, gastric torsion really worries me. It's just something that I would rather prevent than to deal with an emergency situation in which he'd have to have an emergency gastropexy anyway, or may not even live. I know that a gastropexy doesn't prevent the actual bloat, but it does prevent the deadly torsion.

I've talked to the newer doctors at my veterinary practice, and they said that vet students are now being encouraged to educate owners about prophylactic gastropexies at the time of spay/neuter in breeds at increased risk. And more and more vets are performing prophylactic gastropexies than ever before. Have any of your vets discussed this with new Dobe puppy owners?

What are your thoughts on Dobes and bloat, and prophylactic gastopexies?

**Lexus** · 04-16-2007, 08:59 PM

Actually I think I've heard that the raised food bowls may do nothing to prevent bloat. Seems to me Kim, our resident vet, mentioned something about it at some point.

**Burns** · 04-16-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexus

Actually I think I've heard that the raised food bowls may do nothing to prevent bloat. Seems to me Kim, our resident vet, mentioned something about it at some point.

It was non-raised food bowls that I've heard are better. Seems like all the research I've done has advised against raised bowls - supposedly because they gulp too much air...? Thanks for the reply.

**PeeWeesMama** · 04-16-2007, 09:11 PM

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm

Here is a link to the Purdue Study

**Lexus** · 04-16-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns

It was non-raised food bowls that I've heard are better. Seems like all the research I've done has advised against raised bowls - supposedly because they gulp too much air...? Thanks for the reply.

Okay, knew it was something

**greenkouki** · 04-16-2007, 09:25 PM

here is the brake fast doggie bowl, just happens that a dobie is the poster dog for the company. I actually saw a commercial for the product during the westminster dog show broadcast.
http://www.brake-fast.net/?gclid=CMy...FR9kgQodOmNUAA

**PeeWeesMama** · 04-16-2007, 09:25 PM

oops I forgot and here is a link to this http://fredriksarnblad.wordpress.com...nti-fast-food/

edit: Sorry Greenkouki we must have posted at the same itme LOL

**Burns** · 04-16-2007, 09:35 PM

Great links, thanks!

**BackInBlack** · 04-16-2007, 09:37 PM

I plan to do it to my dog when he is neutered (end of summer at the latest) Bloat is pretty scary and I have taken Rom to the vet more than once to have him "check" and just tell me I’m crazy. We had a dog at our Schutzhund Club die of bloat last year. All she could say about it was how fast it happened.

I don’t buy into the raised dishes for bloat (I do have raised dishes, but it is not for that reason) I just watch their food AND water intake before and after exercise. Enough water to wet their mouth until they have cooled off. During the summer I put out a bowl of Ice Cubes, that way they have to chew them.

**greenkouki** · 04-16-2007, 09:42 PM

here is video comparison of a dobie girl eating from a normal bowl and the brake-fast bowl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpdcxpBg98M