I was going to ask my vet about surgical prevention of GDV when I take our puppy in to be neutered (a decision we as a family have made after extensive research; we will hold off as close to full development as we can). Is this a major concern with Labradors? A colleague mentioned its a fairly simple procedure (stomach staple?) and could easily be done once our lab was already in the surgical room. Tried searching for more information on this forum but found very little; maybe not looking under the right description? A have had a fellow friend go through that with her golden retriever and $4,000 later, the dog was as good as new, for the most part. I see that research has been done and Labradors are 2times as likely to experience this than mixed breeds, and are 18th on the list versus some larger breeds. Thoughts / comments?
If you are worried about bloat, then just feed a greater number of small meals rather than one massive meal per day. It's really unlikely that you'll ever have to worry about bloat. Stomach stapling would be an incredibly drastic, risky course of action for a problem that your dog doesn't have. The same effect (limiting the amount in the stomach) can be achieved through feeding smaller meals, as I mentioned. Just be sensible with meal size (I've always fed cricket ball/baseball sized meals and have never had a problem) and prevent access to unauthorised food. I've known many Labradors in my time (and other deep chested breeds) and I have never heard of a single one getting bloat (even after breaking into 20kg bags of dog food!!). Is there some reason you think your dog is at particularly high risk? In a normal dog that's never experienced the problem I just wouldn't worry about this. By all means talk about it with your vet, but I'd be shocked if they endorse this idea in a normal, healthy dog (and I'd look for another vet).
Agree with Oberon, I would rather do what I can to mitigate the chances by watching when, how much I feed and when I exercise. You will have to do that anyway, even if you have the procedure done. Be sure to ask your Vet about recurrence rates. Friends' Standard Poodle twisted three times. After the second he was stapled and when they ripped out on the third time he was PTS. They also had his littermate brother who never had a problem. So there is no way to tell ahead of time if a dog is particularly susceptible and it's not a sure thing as a preventative. Also ask how it changes the neuter surgery. Neuter for the boys is not very invasive. Stomach stapling is. If your Vet suggests it as a preventative ask what the guarantee is your dog will not bloat or twist post surgery. I see it's not your Vet who is urging it, you are just asking. Good for asking ahead of time.
I agree with Rachael (Oberon) I thing the main risks for bloat are large meals, and exercise too soon after meals. So....as Rachael says, stick to splitting up food into at least 2 meals a day, and avoiding major exercise within 1-2 hours of meals would be far more pragmatic than putting your dog at risk with an operation. I would wonder if there is any evidence for "stomach stapling" being effective. Haven't looked, but I would suspect not.....worth clecking out and getting some references before thinking more seriously about this? jac
I agree with other comments. Why would you put your pup through invasive surgery for a problem very few dogs experience? Sensible feeding and exercise is the better option for me.
All surgical procedures carry a risk. Why subject a healthy animal to an operation for a condition they don't have any will probably never have?
I think it is very, very rare in a Labrador, I've never heard of one. However I used to have a Weimaraner who bloated but survived to tell the tale and have heard of many other weim owners who've experienced it in their dogs. The rules of the Weimaraner community are to feed little and often and not to exercise within 1 hour of feeding.
Thanks for the feedback folks! Was not sure how prevalent it was in labs. based on the comments, I will not be doing it. the vet did not recommend this, rather was a question I was going to ask the next round of vaccinations I take Hawk for.
