Coping With Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Syndrome

This may seem like a long winded story, but I think it bears posting.

My shepard, her name is Flaca, is 11. She has been well cared for, never sick a day in her life. This past Tuesday evening I noticed that she was having trouble sitting and laying. Seeing this through my kitchen window, I ran out to see why. Her stomach was so swollen, she wanted water, water, water. I walked around with her for a few minutes while she kept trying to vomit, pee, belch, and the entire sick-getting that they do. I knew then what was wrong. But only because I had worked for a vet/kennel place a few years back. MANY ORDINARY PERSONS WOULDN’T KNOW TO GET THEIR PETS EMERGENCY HELP.

I took her to the pet e.r., they x-rayed her, and her stomach was bloated, twisted upside down, and all this was cutting off blood supply to other vital organs and intestines and her heart.

The surgery by this particular vet was going to be outrageous, so we had to beg her to try inserting tubes down her throat and into her stomach to relieve the pressure and bloat, to see if her stomach would get back to normal on its own. My knowledge of this procedure surprised them and they didn’t want to do it. Going straight to surgery may not be the only thing. Thankfully, the tube was able to be inserted (after trying twice) and they were able to relieve the bloat. She stayed over night and was much better by morning and I took her home. Each x-ray that was taken, even the one taken by her regular vet, after I picked her up from e.r., showed steady improvement. But,,,,,

The next morning, she started again. This time, we were already $1,000. into this and needed some more answers. It seemed that everyone we spoke to had three things to say: 1) She definitely needs surgery, 2) We can’t do it due to dr. and staff shortage, and 3) Even if we could, we need $3,000. up front. Some even said that with her age, she wouldn’t make it through the surgery and that I should put her down. What???? I really felt like I was alone and that no matter who I asked for help from, no one really had the right words to help me understand everything as a whole. Plus, I am in college, only work part-time, and have very little saved as it is. But I didn’t want my dog to die for my mis-fortunes. How unfair is that???

Finally we were given a number for a vet surgeon in the next town from us who would at least listen. We called, and lo and behold HE HIMSELF got on the phone, listened, and after I asked him “what would you do if it was your dog?” He said “bring her in, we’ll see what we can do to save her life, and talk about the finances later”. I was surprised, excited and THANKFUL!!

Surgery includes re-seating her stomach and stapling it to the inside wall, checking for necrotic portions of any and all organs, including the stomach and the heart. Spleens are usually hard to save.

Well, we got her in and she was operated on, without complications, and is recovering now. She didn’t lose any of her organs and we are hopeful that she will fully recover. I will post an update, which will include some of the answers that we will be asking. Like, what to do if this happens again, and her chances.