{"id":6653,"date":"2022-01-19T15:07:01","date_gmt":"2022-01-19T15:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=6653"},"modified":"2022-01-19T15:07:01","modified_gmt":"2022-01-19T15:07:01","slug":"fur-tunately-stories-of-animal-survival-episode-viii-a-mothers-intuition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/fur-tunately-stories-of-animal-survival-episode-viii-a-mothers-intuition\/","title":{"rendered":"Fur-Tunately: Stories of Animal Survival | Episode VIII | A Mother\u2019s Intuition"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Fur-Tunately,<\/p>\n

In April 2020, Niko, a 3-year-old German Shepherd, had been a completely healthy dog, but out of nowhere, trouble came. That evening started like any other \u2013 Niko ate his dinner normally and seemed fine. But about an hour after he ate his dinner, he began to retch several times without producing anything.<\/p>\n

Immediately, a red flag went up and Niko\u2019s mom<\/span>, Nancy,<\/span>\u00a0knew something was wrong.\u00a0<\/span>She<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>monitored him closely. He suddenly seemed very uncomfortable<\/span>\u00a0and he put his head down<\/span>\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span>Nancy<\/span>\u2019s lap. When he tried to lie down, he became very uncomfortable and would immediately stand up again. He also started groaning.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s when she knew. She had seen these symptoms before in her other German <\/span>Shepherd<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Wasting no time, N<\/span>ancy<\/span>\u00a0followed her intuition and got Niko to the car.<\/span>\u00a0She knew if she was right, she had to get Niko to the animal ER\u00a0<\/span><\/span>now<\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gastric<\/p>\n

Diagnosis Confirmed<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Around 9:00 PM, Niko arrived\u00a0<\/span>at<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>AERC<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>O<\/span>ur team agre<\/span>ed with Niko\u2019s mom!\u00a0<\/span>He<\/span>\u00a0was experiencing<\/span>\u00a0Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV). This is a very painful condition in which the stomach twists on itself.\u00a0<\/span>The cause of GDV is unknown, but it\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>life-threatening if not promptly treated. Our team<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>stabilized Niko with fluids and pain medications and within two hours, he went into emergency surgery.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Surgery<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Dr. Meyers, one of our board-certified veterinary surgeons, performed Niko\u2019s surgery to correct his twisted stomach \u2013 which had a 180-degree rotation and was very distended. Dr. Meyers returned the stomach to its correct position, but unfortunately, that wasn\u2019t all that had become twisted.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the stomach rotates, it can involve the top portion of the stomach, as well as the spleen\u00a0(which is known as a splenic torsion).\u00a0The splenic\u00a0blood vessels can rupture as well, which is why dogs\u00a0often\u00a0require\u00a0spleen removal\u00a0after experiencing GDV. Fortunately\u00a0for Niko, dogs live well without a spleen!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To prevent Niko\u2019s stomach from twisting again, Dr. Meyers performed a gastropexy, which is a surgical procedure in which the stomach is sutured to the body wall. While many dogs like Niko have this surgery performed to prevent a repeat offense, it can also be done preventatively. Often, veterinarians recommend that deep-chested or large breed dogs have a gastropexy at a young age since they are at higher risk of developing GDV. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Going Home<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Niko recovered well after surgery and stayed\u00a0at AERC\u00a0overnight for observation,\u00a0pain management, and to ensure he was eating.\u00a0By late morning,\u00a0he\u00a0was doing\u00a0well\u00a0and\u00a0went\u00a0home to his family that day.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As pet parents, we know our pets best!\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0why it\u2019s so important to trust\u00a0your gut when something\u00a0doesn\u2019t feel\u00a0right.\u00a0Delaying\u00a0treatment for GDV can\u00a0have\u00a0fatal\u00a0consequences\u00a0\u2013 so we\u2019re glad Nancy\u00a0recognized what was happening and promptly got Niko the veterinary care he needed! She reports today that Niko is still the happy-go-lucky (five-year-old!)\u00a0\u201cpuppy\u201d he was before surgery.\u00a0Nancy says, \u201cHe is the happiest dog I have ever owned and loves life to the fullest!\u00a0He is\u00a0pure joy!\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our \u201cFur-<\/span>tunately<\/span>: Stories of Animal Survival\u201d series feature real pets treated by our team at Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota. All images and information have been shared with the owner\u2019s permission.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Case content provided by Megan Brewer (Johnson), DVM.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em> \"Animal<\/p>\n

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