If you have a large, deep chested dog, such as a German Shepherd or Great Dane, your vet has no doubt mentioned GDV in dogs. It’s not just another acronym in the long list that vets often use, it’s a very serious and potentially fatal condition of dogs. What you may not have heard about, unless your dog has had a run in with GDV, is a gastropexy.
A gastropexy in dogs is a preventive surgery that helps protect against GDV, a life-threatening condition where a dog’s stomach fills with gas and twists. While it doesn’t stop bloat from happening, it can prevent the dangerous rotation that cuts off blood flow and requires emergency surgery.
We’ll walk you through what a gastropexy is, what dogs may benefit, and how to decide if you should have it done.
Understanding GDV in Dogs
GDV in dogs is a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood flow. Without emergency surgery, it is often fatal. GDV stands for gastric dilatation volvulus. When we break down the veterinary terminology, it basically means a stomach that becomes enlarged with gas and then twists on itself.
Gastric = related to the stomach
Dilatation = stretching or enlargement
Volvulus = twisting
You may also hear it referred to as bloat. GDV is a veterinary emergency because the twisting of the stomach effectively cuts off blood supply to the organ. If left alone, the tissue will start to die, leading to shock and cardiovascular collapse. This all happens very quickly, requiring immediate veterinary intervention.
According to a study in 2020 published in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, about 60% of dogs survive GDV. This includes dogs that were euthanized prior to surgery due to poor prognosis or financial concerns. Of dogs that received GDV surgery, around 80% survive. Without any treatment, a dog is very unlikely to survive.
What is a Gastropexy in Dogs?
The stomach is normally free floating in a dog’s abdomen, which is why it can twist on itself when it gets overfilled with air. A gastropexy in dogs is a surgical procedure that attaches the stomach to the body wall to prevent it from twisting. It does not stop the stomach from filling with gas, but it helps prevent the dangerous rotation that makes GDV life-threatening.
Why is a Gastropexy Performed?
Though this surgery can’t completely negate issues with bloat, it does address the big one—the stomach twisting. This is important because it’s the twisting act that cuts off blood supply and leads to shock and cardiovascular issues.
How a Gastropexy is Performed
When considering a gastropexy, your vet will look at it from two different angles.
Prophylactic
This is when the surgery is performed before a dog has any problems with GDV. This is more common in high-risk breeds and when they’re undergoing abdominal surgery for other reasons, such as spaying, foreign body retrieval, or a splenectomy.
GDV
The other time your vet may perform a gastropexy is when your dog is experiencing GDV and already in surgery to decompress and untwist the stomach. This additional step can reduce the chance that your dog will have issues again.
Surgical Options
The timing of a dog’s gastropexy will have a lot to do with how it’s performed. For elective prophylactic procedures, laparoscopy may be an option. If your dog is being treated for an emergency GDV or undergoing another surgery, an open abdominal approach is more likely.
There are many ways of tacking the stomach to the body wall, most commonly by making an incision in the outer layer of the stomach and then an incision in the corresponding area of the body wall. These freshly cut surfaces are then sutured together where, over time, they form a scar tissue bond.
Gastropexy Recovery
Recovery from a gastropexy may be no different than a spay if you’re dealing with a prophylactic option, but for dogs receiving the procedure following GDV, the recovery road can be long. Not only do they have to get over the surgery, there may be some lingering issues with the stomach and cardiovascular system that need monitoring and often hospitalization. A dietary change and medication may also be necessary
Long-term Outcomes
According to a study in Veterinary Evidence, the recurrence of GDV in dogs with gastropexy was less than 5%, while recurrence in dogs without was over 50%. Most dogs recover well from the procedure and go on to live normal, active lives without ongoing complications.
As with any surgery, there are some risks, including infection, inflammation at the surgical site, or the formation of internal scar tissue. In rare cases, the attachment can fail over time. However, long-term complications are uncommon, and for many high-risk dogs, the reduction in GDV risk outweighs these potential concerns.
Which Dogs are Most at Risk?
Though we can’t pinpoint one exact cause of GDV, there are some definite breed predispositions. Large dogs with deep chests are most at risk simply because they have more room behind the diaphragm for the stomach to fill with air and then move around. Those breeds include:
German Shepherds
Great Danes
Setters
Saint Bernard
Any mixed breeds of these
Other Risk Factors
Besides breed, dogs with first degree relatives that have experienced GDV are considered high-risk. Dogs that are fast eaters, have a nervous nature, or are on a schedule where they only get one meal a day are prime candidates as well.
Who’s to Decide?
Deciding whether to go the gastropexy route can be hard. It’s an additional procedure after all. That decision ultimately comes down to the situation. If your dog is already needing surgery for GDV, spaying, or something else, a gastropexy may be warranted. If it’s something that will need to be done completely on its own, then you and your vet will really want to weigh the dog’s risk factors.
When is the Best Time to Get a Gastropexy?
During emergency GDV surgery. This goes without saying, a gastropexy reduces the chances of recurrence, so if your vet is already in there, an additional gastropexy step is likely a good idea.
At spay, neuter, or other abdominal surgery. Again, if your vet is already in there, a gastropexy is a minimal step. Now, for a neuter, there’s no need to go into the abdomen (typically), but some may use the anesthetic time to do a gastropexy as well.
Standalone prophylaxis. For high-risk dogs, getting a gastropexy done as its own procedure may be warranted.
Bottom line on timing. This really depends on your dog’s situation. Speak to your vet to determine if and when your dog should undergo a gastropexy.
Gastropexy Cost vs. GDV Emergency Treatment
The cost of gastropexy in dogs varies depending on timing and whether it’s done preventively or during emergency GDV surgery. If in combination with another surgery, you may be looking at an additional $300-$400+. If done as a standalone, you may get $800-$3,000 bill with laparoscopy costing more toward the higher end.
Now, if a gastropexy is combined with a GDV surgery, costs of $2,000-$7,000 may be accrued but often include hospitalization and further treatment.
Scenario | Typical Cost | What It Includes | Risk Level |
Preventive gastropexy (with another surgery) | $300–$400+ | Added surgical time | Low |
Standalone gastropexy in dogs | $800–$3,000 | Surgery + anesthesia | Low–moderate |
Emergency GDV surgery | $2,000–$7,000+ | Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization | Very high |
Those are some big numbers, but if you have dog health insurance, a portion of the costs associated with emergency GDV treatment may be covered. Because GDV treatment often happens under emergency conditions, having pet insurance in place ahead of time can make a significant difference in both cost and decision-making. You never want to be in a position where you have to decide if you can afford a life-saving treatment.
If you have a high-risk dog and are looking at the prophylactic route, Embrace’s dog wellness plan can help you plan for the expense, as well as other preventative costs like wellness exams, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering.
Recognizing GDV Symptoms
A gastropexy may greatly reduce a dog’s risk of developing GDV or of it recurring, but it’s not 100%. Know the signs of gastric dilatation volvulus so that you can take immediate action. Common signs of GDV in dogs include:
Unproductive retching, dry heaving
Distended, hard abdomen
Restlessness, pacing
Excessive drooling
Pale gums
Rapid breathing
Weakness, collapse
GDV in Dogs
GDV is a serious emergency where a dog’s stomach fills with air and twists on itself. If surgical correction isn’t done, oxygen starved organ tissues start to die, shock sets in and the cardiovascular system can shut down. A gastropexy is a surgical procedure where the stomach is attached to the body wall to prevent it from twisting on itself. It doesn’t completely solve the issue but can greatly cut down a dog’s chances of developing GDV.