SCOTTISH Deerhound Greg is this month?s ?Braveheart? pet, having survived a life threatening condition which causes the stomach to twist over on itself. Luckily, Greg?s owner Mrs Ann Vincent was experienced enough to know that when her dog started looking uncomfortable and swollen after eating, he might well have Gastric-Dilation and Volvulus ? GDV. Deer hounds and other deep chested breeds are more likely to develop GDV, which requires immediate surgical attention. It causes the stomach to twist over on itself and in doing so cuts off its own blood supply. The contents of the stomach start to ferment and produce gas which has no way of escaping and so causes the stomach to blow up like a balloon. One of the first jobs staff at Okeford Veterinary Practice had to do was to release this gas to prevent damage to the stomach and its blood supply. A large needle was punched through Greg?s body wall and into the stomach and an intravenous drip placed in his leg with fluids pumped in to support his circulation. Five minutes later, the team was ready to operate. The spleen was on the wrong side of the body, having been dragged over during the twist and Greg appeared to be losing blood from somewhere. Vets managed partially to de-rotate the stomach and get a tube into place which allowed them to get the remaining gas out. Food was then emptied from the stomach by cutting into it. With everything back where it should be and a nice pink colour returning to the stomach and spleen things were starting to look up for Greg. But, still concerned about the blood loss, vets took a sample to check for blood clotting problems. Greg stayed with Okeford for several days until he was stable enough to go home. He has now fully recovered and is enjoying life to the full. GDVs are more likely to occur in large hound type dogs with males more affected than females. Feeding several small meals during the day can reduce the chances of having a GDV as can ensuring your dog does not exercise after eating for an hour or two.
