My dog had GDV and I'm scared of it happening again.

[NormanTheSpoodle]

This is a long post, sorry.

My poor dog is recovering from emergency surgery for GDV. His stomach was twisted 360 degrees and his spleen was incredibly swollen and he was in very bad shape. Fortunately we caught it in time and there was no permanent damage to either organ. His spleen is intact and he had a gastropexy to fix his stomach in place.

He's finally home now and doing well. The vets didn't want to let him come home because he was refusing to wee, eat or drink and once he was up and about a couple of hours after surgery he refused to lie down. I know those things are all very worrying but I was so sure it was just because he was incredibly stressed out. When I was finally allowed to see him I took him outside and he did a wee straight away, ate a handful of boiled turkey and lay down on my feet. He really did not want to go back inside so I insisted on taking him home.

Anyway, we are following all the after care advice. He's eating small, frequent meals of boiled turkey and potato, drinking, weeing regularly and has done a couple of poos. Takes all of his medication. He's perky and alert, not bothered by his stitches and has been begging to go for a walk. Obviously he's not 100% yet but he is doing really well and at his check up today the vet said everything looks great.

However, I'm so worried about it happening again. I slept upstairs last night but set an alarm for every hour so I could get up and check on him. I make sure he eats his meals slowly and that he stays still afterwards. I make him walk slowly. I'm terrified of him bloating again and the gastropexy breaking down. I feel crazy with worry and I'm pretty sure my dog thinks I'm bonkers!

TL;DR: Dog had GDV. Had successful surgery, is recovering well but I'm worried about it happening again.

I don't know how much of a consolation this is but 4 years ago my dog was in almost exactly the same position, 4 years later if you look very closely the only sign he ever had a problem is a tiny line of fur (about 1mm wide) that never grew back where his stitches were.
The fear of it happening again is completely understandable (I was a wreck), but usually when they do the op to untwist the stomach and repair the damage they tack the stomach to the lining of the chest cavity to prevent it retwisting. Could you check with your vet that this was done as it could give you some peace of mind?
Also, I'm going to be outed as a crazy dog lady here, but I wind my two after meals now, gentle rubs and pats on their side usually makes them burp, it gives me some peace of mind.

for you and gentle pats for your boy, hoping for a speedy recovery for him.

Sorry just seen he did have the gastropexy, not sure how i missed that. It is incredibly unlikely for it to break down tho I do understand your fear. The burping puts my mind at ease

Thank you, Very, that's really great to hear! So glad your dog made a full recovery.

Yes, Norman's stomach was pinned so the chances of it twisting are minimal even if he does bloat but it's going to be another 3-4 weeks or so before it has healed so I just keep worrying it will happen now and the gastropexy will be undone and he will die. :(

Right now he's begging me to throw his toy for him. I wish he could understand that he's only 4 days post surgery and he's not allowed to play! I keep telling him to lie down and he keeps giving me the side eye.

He's too big for me to lift on to the sofa and I am so pregnant I can't stay sitting on the floor with him for too long or I struggle to get back up! I feel bad putting him in his crate but it's the best way to get him to rest.

Don't feel bad, its the best way for you to keep him safe and let him heal. I know it's hard watching them seemingly unhappy but we have to do what's best for them even if they don't understand why.
Could you put a small stool infront of the sofa for him to use as a step up? I can't lift my fatty ddog but he was happy to use a stool to get up next to me for much needed cuddles.
After his stitches come out you may find he worries the wound more, I think it must itch more as it heals, a tshirt is brilliant for covering it without having to use a cone. My boy wont tolerate a cone and a vet tech showed us the tshirt trick.
From what I understand about a gastropexy the stitches are strongest in that first few weeks and incredibly unlikely to come undone, after that time the dogs tissues support and take over their job so even if the stitches weaken the dog is still protected. I'm not a vet though so I could be wrong.
Those first 24-48 hours post surgery are the most crucial, I think if he's already at four days you can relax a little, though I know from personal experience that is incredibly difficult. it couldn't have come at a worse time for you both, best of luck with your pregnancy!

Grain free diets can also help. Not in all cases but sometimes the rice or cereals in kibble can 'ferment' in the gut and cause a gas build up. Grain free kibbles use vegetables instead which are less 'gassy'. Check out allaboutdogfood.co.uk for good ones within your budget. Good Luck xx