Anyone who has ever had their dog “bloat” knows how terrifying and deadly this condition can be. Bloat, or gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) is a devastating condition in our canine patients. For some unknown reasons, a dog’s stomach can fill with gas (bloat) and then twist, cutting off vital circulation to the abdomen. These dogs go from totally normal to deceased often in a matter of hours.
Certain breeds of dogs are prone to bloat. Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds are perhaps the most predisposed. There is a preventative surgery, but the standard procedure requires a huge incision, with serious post operative pain and discomfort.
But that was before minimally invasive surgery. Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod is proud to be the only veterinary hospital on Cape Cod, much less in southeastern Massachusetts, to offer laparoscopic gastropexy. This means our patients can have this preventative surgery without a big incision, long hospital stays, and serious post operative pain.
This video shows the stomach after it has been “tacked” to the abdominal wall. The patient, Bruno, had several episodes of bloat, and was on a fast course to have his last, so to speak. We performed this laparoscopic surgery with a minimal incision, and he went home the very same day, in little discomfort.
Since Bruno’s surgery, he has been doing great. He has had no more episodes of bloat. And his owner’s elected the same quality health care that they would expect themselves; minimally invasive surgery. Bruno went home much faster, had far less bleeding, with a much smaller incision, and in a lot less pain.
Good luck Bruno!
