Ladies and gents, I had to have my Hungarian wire haired Visla put to sleep mid December as she had a twisted stomach. She was a healthy 11 year old bitch apart from a little deafness and creaky joints when she got out of her bed in the mornings, I was, and have been in complete shock, extremely upset and heartbroken over this whole incident. I had never heard of this condition in dog’s although I know horses can get twisted guts, she (Amber) went from being healthy and happy at 5-6 pm I the evening to being extremely poorly at 11pm after having collapse, she was rushed to the vets who informed me that the only course of action was an immediate operation which at her age she may or may not survive the anaesthetic, may or may not survive the operation, the operation may or may not be successful, so I had to make a decision there and then in the car park of the vets at 11 pm at night. For me there were too many negative variables to warrant putting my dog through major surgery. This condition is more prevalent in deep chested dog breeds but can occur in any breed. If you know about this condition and how to minimise it good on you, if you don’t like me then please read all about it as it happens so very quickly.
Gastric Torsion
- Thread starter TH757
- Start date
levigsp
Well-Known Member
Sorry you lost your dog. I learned about it when I was a child with my first lurcher, horrible condition and one we should do everything to try and avoid. I will say I have read conflicting or missing information on the net. often missing info, never ever feed a deep chested breed before or during work, not even a little! and wrong info given is dont feed a dog at night! all deep chested dogs should get a small something/meal before bedtime, not doing so causes reflux and bloating, that in turn can cause torsion.
CarlW
Well-Known Member
I'm really sorry for your loss.
Torsion is a terrible condition. I had a young GSD do it many years ago. Got him to the vet on time and they saved him, but he was never the same again. With an older dog like yours, the kindest thing is to do as you did and let her go.
I give two meals a day and avoid un-wetted dried food.
Keep well.
Carl
Torsion is a terrible condition. I had a young GSD do it many years ago. Got him to the vet on time and they saved him, but he was never the same again. With an older dog like yours, the kindest thing is to do as you did and let her go.
I give two meals a day and avoid un-wetted dried food.
Keep well.
Carl
I'm very sorry for your loss @TH757 this must have been a terrible experience, you made the right decision.
I've heard of this before but wasn't aware that deep chested dogs are more at risk. Having two spaniels I'm going to research this, my ESS is particularly deep chested. Interestingly he refuses any food at all when working and is selective at other times. We feed them raw once a day in the evening although they do get a few treats in the morning but well before any strenuous running about.
It would be informative if any of our veterinary members could shed any informed light on this.
I've heard of this before but wasn't aware that deep chested dogs are more at risk. Having two spaniels I'm going to research this, my ESS is particularly deep chested. Interestingly he refuses any food at all when working and is selective at other times. We feed them raw once a day in the evening although they do get a few treats in the morning but well before any strenuous running about.
It would be informative if any of our veterinary members could shed any informed light on this.
the_greenman
Well-Known Member
@the_greenman thanks for the info above, that's quite alarming. I'm going to get my wife to read that and a copy is going on the inside of one of our kitchen cupboard doors where we keep medicines.
I've always wondered are dogs who are fed kibble diets more at risk of this given the dehydrated nature of the food?
Also is it common in wolves given they are running about eating then running about? But on raw essentially
Also is it common in wolves given they are running about eating then running about? But on raw essentially
Jezholmes
Well-Known Member
I’m so sorry to hear this, as Great Dane owners we are very aware of the issue as they are particularly susceptible to it. Indeed with our last Dane we opted for a Gastroplexy when she was spayed, this involves suturing the stomach wall to the abdominal wall so that it is much more difficult for the stomach to twist. Even then she had two stomach twists in her life (but survived them thanks to the gastroplexy). The speed with which they can go downhill, and the absolute feeling of helplessness, is very distressing to witness and the attachment @the_greenman has put on is great to help catch it early, the only way to give your dog a chance.
Always found it easier dealing with the loss of humans, losing a dog is heart-breaking. Maybe that’s just me...
Always found it easier dealing with the loss of humans, losing a dog is heart-breaking. Maybe that’s just me...
Free range rob
Well-Known Member
As an ex Great Dane owner, I know where your coming from
And no it’s not Just you, ive always found loosing dogs harder than anything else, but then I’ve always had stronger bonds with animals than people.
Free range rob
Well-Known Member
As an ex Great Dane owner, I know where your coming from
And no it’s not Just you, ive always found loosing dogs harder than anything else, but then I’ve always had stronger bonds with animals than people.
It’s a nasty condition for sure and it goes seriously wrong very quickly. If you notice your dog retching but bringing nothing up and/or bloating at all, phone the vet straight away. If treated early then GDV can be very successfully treated but it needs immediate aggressive treatment. This starts with prompt decompression of the stomach to release the gas using a needle or stomach tube followed by aggressive intravenous fluid therapy and surgery to untwist the stomach and fix it in place (gastropexy). If treated in time then a full recovery can be achieved, but if left too late then the gastric wall becomes necrotic and the dogs will die of septic shock. Whilst I don’t normally do any soft tissue surgery, I have had two stalking friends dogs sustain GDV over the last few years. It is common so be aware of what to look out for and seek advice quickly!
Information sheet here
willows.uk.net
Information sheet here
Dogs with Twisted Stomachs | Willows UK | West Midlands
Willows is one of Europe's leading small animal referral centres. Our state-of-the-art hospital is led by internationally renowned Specialists, committed to providing the highest standards of veterinary care.
willows.uk.net
Very sorry to hear your sad news . But you definitely made the right call. I have seen this happen in much younger dogs and many don’t survive . Prompt action is a must, don’t ever wait for the morning, your dog will die.
If its just the Gasric dilation without the twist they are often fine but better to be safe than sorry and have them checked. The dilation alone maybe a warning shot for a potential volvulus in the future.
If its just the Gasric dilation without the twist they are often fine but better to be safe than sorry and have them checked. The dilation alone maybe a warning shot for a potential volvulus in the future.
