Cold Lake Veterinary Clinic - Gastropexy

Gastropexy is a preventative surgery performed on dogs at risk of Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV). GDV, which is also known as bloat, is
a life threatening condition in which the stomach fills with gas or fluid and flips over on itself, blocking blood flow and does not allow the contents to
escape. 

These dogs need costly, immediate emergency surgery to correct the stomach, but the prognosis is good if we get them in to surgery quickly.
Any breed of dog can be affected with a GDV, but certain breeds are more commonly affected than others. Deep chested, large and giant breed dogs
such as Great Danes, German Shepherds and St Bernard's are examples of this, with Great Danes being the most commonly affected.

A gastropexy is a surgery in which the stomach is attached to the right side of the body wall to help prevent it from flipping. This surgery has a
high success rate but dogs need to be kept relatively quiet for 6 to 8 weeks after surgery to allow the surgery site to scar and adhere firmly.
Otherwise there is a risk of the stomach tearing away from the body wall.

Please see our attachments for more information about GDV, gastropexies and post operative instructions. If you would like to discuss the procedure
or get an estimate for cost, please contact the clinic at 780-594-5212.

For additional information, please visit the links below!

• Cold Lake Veterinary Clinic - Gastropexy Discharge Instructions
• Veterinary Partner Handout - Bloat - The Mother of All Emergencies - Veterinary Partner - VIN 
• Veterinary Partner Handout - Prophylactic Gastropexy in Dogs - Veterinary Partner - VIN

Photos from What Can Cause A Dogs Stomach To Flip (animalia-life.club) & Google Images "Gastropexy Dog"