Should I get my Great Dane puppy's (5 mo old) stomach tacked?

Question

My vet recommended it, but I'm having second thoughts. He's getting fixed on Friday, and they can do his stomach tacking at the same time. I got him from a backyard breeder who was going to have him destroyed because he is deaf, so I'm worried that he's got a combination of genetics that may predispose him to stomach flipping.

Answer 1

I would get it done. I have giant breed dogs and if a spay or neuter gets done, I usually opt for the tacking at the same time. You can ALL the things that they say to help stop a torsion, but if the dog is predisposed to it, chances are it will happen anyway. Of the last eight dogs that I have know that had a torsion.....all but ONE did all the things to prevent it, yet it happened anyway. Of those eight, FIVE were Danes.
For the little extra recovery and money, it is well worth it. Of course, still continue to follow the prevention measures.

Answer 2

Opinions vary on whether or not this surgery helps reduce the chances of his stomach flipping. Some vets don't like to do the stomach tacking because then you have more scar tissue to deal with if the stomach does flip later in life. With a spay (female dog), you are in the neighborhood anyway so the surgical recovery isn't any more. With a neuter (male dog), you don't normally go into the abdomen, so it's like having him spayed and neutered recovery-wise. Puppies recover faster than adults, so if you know you want to do it, now would be better. The deafness does not put him at risk, but being a Dane does. It's called GDV, gastric dilation and volvulus, if you want to google it. Some non-surgical things you can do to lower his risk: Elevate his food and water so he doesn't swallow as much air when eating. Don't let him suck down a whole bowl of water at once. Don't exercise him or let him run loose on a full stomach. Give him an hour after eating before you play. And know the signs: pale gums, trouble breathing, large and hard abdomen, racing heartbeat, sudden onset of symptoms. It does require immediate medical intervention if GDV occurs.

Answer 3

Get a second opinion, then go from there. I have a dane, and it was never recommended to me, but I'm sure the vet knows what he'she is talking about. I fed mine 3 times a day when she was a puppy, now twice a day. I let her out about 15 mins b4 she eats, and then at LEAST an hour after she eats and drinks! She's 4 now, and has not had a problem with it yet!

Answer 4

Great Danes are more prone to bloat than most other large breeds due to their massive size and very deep chests. You have to be careful with vets, like any professional they are there to make money. My best advice to you is to feed freely or give 3-4 meals a day. This will decrease the intake at one time. Tacking his stomach can be hazardous all on its own. Other tips to help prevent bloat are not allowing them to play hard directly after a meal and not allowing them to take in large amounts of water after eating. Most pups aren't prone to bloat, it's when they are older that they become more prone.
They say it's more common if there is a history, but it's really a hit and miss with bloat. Some dogs are afflicted and some dogs aren't. Read all you can online about how to watch for it, how to avoid it, and how to react should you see the signs. If you can afford to get pet insurance for him, do it, just in case. The cost to correct bloat is a ton, and not always guaranteed. Like having a child make sure you know where the 24 hour emergency clinics in your area are. Emergencies never happen during office hours =)
Best of luck to you - thank you for saving him!!! People can be so cruel!
Happy Holidays!

Answer 5

I would contact another vet and get that second opinion. Some vets are really unscrupulous and are just after money. I've had personal experience with exactly such a vet. Although great danes with their deep chests are more prone - there are things you can do to greatly decrease the chances of your boy having these types of problems. No exercise or play after meals, as someone else mentioned, not allowing huge meals or massive drinks of water. I'm from Australia and I haven't heard of dogs having that done pre-emptively although I'm a small dog breeder, not a large dog breeder.

Answer 6

I agree with "workinggirl". Get a second opinion. There are ways to help avoid torsion by the way you feed your dog. Danes need less protein in their food, too. So something like Nature's Recipe Venison and Rice, or Dick Van Patten's Venison and potato would be good and add something like Dan Active yogurt.
Definitely get a second opinion. Sounds to me like a knife happy Vet.

Answer 7

Yes, it's a genetic problem, and if you don't have a contract with the breeder concerning something like this, I'm afraid you're stuck. You can still register him with the AKC and show in performance venues, but definitely get him neutered as a retained testicle can become cancerous.

Answer 8

The vet won't charge much more to do this. I would have it done. Years down the road it can be a horrible surgery and recovery if the dog bloats. If the stomach is tacked, the dog can still bloat down the road, but his stomach can not torsian.

Answer 9

Bloat is a major killer in large breeds. It can happen so fast you don't have time to even realize what is happening. Bloat is the number two killer of dogs. Cancer is number one. Yes get it done while he is already under anesthesia. This is not just due to poor breeding it is more due to the size of the dog. Pyrs newfs danes St Bernards, mastiffs any giant breed are all born predisposed to get bloat. It does and happen a lot in large breeds and less in medium breeds but it does happen.

Answer 10

It is more common in large breeds but, what makes the vet think it will happen? I breed large dogs and never had it done. I just don't allow them to eat large quantities at one time. Is there a history of Bloat in the litter? Perhaps I'll learn something new?