advise on tacking stomach on large dogs

[scarter]

Our dog will be spayed this spring and I've had the vet advise me to tack her stomach while he is in there doing the spay. He says it's good to do on the large breed dogs but I can't remember why. Does anyone do this? It's a large amount of money extra. There is extra anestetic and also the surgical time involved. Any experience, stories or advise is appreciated.

 

[redhen]

I had my Saint Bernard tacked. Its supposed to help in case of bloat...*which large dogs are very prone to because of their wide abdomen/chest cavities..*
See..in bloat..the stomach fills with gas..then starts to torsion (twist)..and THAT is what kills the dog...
So..in tacking the stomach..you help prevent it from twisting and killing the dog.
I didnt get my Mastiff done...and i worry all the time...
Just wanted add..bloat is a horriable VERY painful way for a dog to die...

*Also.. i may not have explained the whole bloat/tacking thing correctly...
so any of you doggie experts..please feel free to correct me...

*

 

[Akane]

If you have a breed prone to bloat then tacking the stomach can keep it from twisting if bloat should happen. It makes the odds of them surviving the incident much higher. It will not prevent bloat only some of the more severe complications that come from it. There's little reason to have it done to a breed or line that is low risk for bloat. Not all large dogs have a high history of bloat in the breed or their particular line. There are few risks with doing it though.

 

[scarter]

Are Great Pyrs prone to bloat?

 

[redhen]

Quote:
I'd google it.. and try to find out about that breed and bloat..
Also..if the vet suggested it..they may be...
OR..they're looking for more money...

 

[scarter]

I haven't seen it in my GP books that we have but just googled and it was one of the things they "could" get.

 

[Cara]

We had it done on our current Bloodhound after losing our previous Bloodhound to gastric torsion. I can't stress how quickly it can kill, our dog was fine at 5pm, dead by 3am (after being sent home from the hospital with no treatment

). Be prepared for a larger incision, but it didn't seem to take any longer to heal than a usual spay.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I've seen cases of bloat in very, very large dogs like danes, large mastiffs, bloodhounds and other very tall or large breeds. Never saw it in pyrs. I think all larger dogs are at risk for it in one way or another, but i don't think I would be overly concerned with it in a great pyr.

 

[willkatdawson]

Bloat is what the dog in Marley and Me died of.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Danes are the #1 dog listed for bloat. I had one... we had more than one bloat scare with him...