My dog had an operation on Sunday night for a bad twist of her gut. It was very touch and go for a while but she got through the op. He spleen was full of blood  and her gut had complety twisted - we were lucky as I spotted all the signs and got her to the vet and she was operated on in less than half an hour. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on post op care - my vet has been brilliant but there is nothing like advice from people that have gone through it. She is still with us for now but it is not certain that she will recover . She is 10 but luckily a very fit and active dog so this can only help.
If anyone has any advice I would be grateful.
Nicky

My bestfriend's Newfoundland recently went through this and like your dog was in a very serious way it looked at one point like his spleen and was going to be removed.  Her vet gave specific instruction as to how long before feeding could recommence and the size and number of meals after that which were small and often.  He has gone on to recover very well showing an interest in food long before he was allowed any :)  I would say though that I think it is important to follow your vets instruction rather than those for any other dog as only your vet knows exactly which organs were affected and to what extent.  It helps too if you have a stethoscope and are able to listen for bowels sounds as my friend was as no food should be given before they recommence.

Hi, my Gwen had this when she was 3mth pup few yrs ago, her spleen had just started to twist but luckily they caught it in time. I started by giving her small amount of liquid broths then slowly thickened it up with pureed cooked chicken/fish, then adding few cooked/pureed veg to pureed meat. It was small & often over period of couple wks till the broth become more solid. This was what my vet suggested but like Isabel says, youe vet will be able to tell guide you :)
She recovered v. quickly :)

Christine, Spain.

Hi, do you raise your food and water bowls to a decent height (mine are just about shoulder height)?  Also it is recommended that you do not exercise your dog 1 hour before or after food, also try splitting the feeds up to maybe 3 a day in order to help recovery, may be a good idea to continue this from now on to prevent the torsion reoccurring?  Mainly tips for the future but good luck with everything and well spotted, it's a very nervous and stressful situation to be in as it is so touch and go!

My mum's briard Jessie had bloat in october last year, and as with your dog, it was touch and go as to whether or not she would make it. Her stomach was sutured to the lining of her abdomen to try and prevent it recurring. She is 2 years old. When she came home, she was fed royal canin sensitive stomach wet food from the vets, and she had this 4 times a day. 5 months down the line and she is fine. Mum is still feeding her 3 times a day and will continue to do so from now on. The exercise before and after eating is most important, as too is not allowing them to drink too much water directly before or after a meal. I hope that she makes a full recovery, it is such a worrying time.

Julia

My friends Newfoundland was always fed from a high bowl (although I have heard conflicting views on this) and she was always particular about the exercise thing.  I think at the end of the day if you have one of the susceptible breeds it is going to happen to you sooner or later the best advise would probably be know your signs!!

She is always fed high, never exercised before or after her meal, fed twice a day. I think you were right that if you have a deep chested breed then its a risk at any time. {she is a large munsterlander by the way]  .  We will never know what caused it as she has got to 10 years old with no problems, our vet is terrific and I can't thank him enough for saving her life -we can only hope she makes it. I am feeding her 5 times a day at the moment  and think when she goes onto 'proper dog food ' again that I will put her on  a sensitive diet and probably moisten it to a mush to stop it bulking up in her tummy.
It was great to hear some dogs stories that are alive and well because all the ones I have heard up to now had a bad ending, so thanks for that it gives me some more hope. Thanks again for the adveice I got a lot out of it.
Nicky

If she has made it through to this stage I think you can be reasonable confident that she will be fine now :)  If the vet stitched her stomach into position, which they seem to usually do, it should not happen again.

I would agree with Isabel, as she's OK so far, she should make a good recovery.  I know of a 12 year old Retriever who had the same and is now great after the op! :-)

To assist recovery after any operation, Homeopathic Arnica 30c three times daily is great.  You'll get it in most Chemists or Health Food Stores.

Lots of Reiki on the way.

Definately arnica 30 - 1 tablet, 3 x daily for 3 days. Mum did that with Jessie, and I swear by it for healing and bruising.

Julia

Thanks will get some tomorrow for her, we were back at the vets and he is really happy with her and is quietly confident that she is going to make it. Thank goodness I am too young for grey hair and all this stress!!

Nicky,

Go to the homeopathic chemist in Perth Road, they are good or get Eric to go!

Christine

kelsey had to go in for another op this morning after being badly sick all night. She has made it through for now but time will tell. My vet found some infection and removed it so we will see. She is old to be going through all this and I told the vet not to bring her round unless she stood a good chance - which was the hardest thing I have ever had to do especially as she didnt want to go into the vet and she was howling her head off when I left. They say dogs let you know when they are ready to go and by the sounds of it this one wants to stay so we will give her every chance we can to make it but if the time comes and it is cruel to carry on then we will have to let her go.
Does anyone know the best type of fish to give her after her op - she needs to go to the loo  and the scrambled eggs were not helping on that front.

Sorry about kelsey, it must be awful for you

Can you try a some Lemon Sole steamed, very gentle on the stomach.

Sorry to hear that ;(
If she`s constipated try syrup of figs, but if its to keep her regular any white fish, plaice or cod along with the sole & pureed spinach. Just pour boiling water over it, place a lid on top, leave to cool & puree with the fish :)

Christine, Spain.

Thank you I will get some on the way to the vet. It is very upsetting as we thought we had turned the corner.

Hope Kelsey pulls through Nicky.  Will be keeping fingers crossed for her.

Lesley

Fingers crossed for you!

Margot

I'm so sorry she has had to have further treatment.  I have always bought frozen blocks of coley or cod when my dogs have needed bland food, coley being cheapest if you need to buy a lot for a large dog and they seem to enjoy it just as much.  I would discuss the use of laxatives or any fibre in the diet with your vet as her bowels may not be up to much yet with this set back, perhaps glycerine suppositries when she is still drowsing may be more appropriate.  Fingers crossed that she picks up very soon.

Good news is Kelsey seems to be getting better everyday, she even flushed a deer out of the woods tonight [when will those deer learn that I have five dogs???]  She is eating really well and is jumping around in the snow tonight playing like a pup. Thankyou to all the people who left messages for her its nice to know that there are people thinking of her. Fingers crossed that she continues to get back to her old self.

That sounds better!  (hope she doesn;t intend eating a Whole Deer at one go :D :D )

Margot

She might share it with the others. Better not joke about that or I will get done for hunting!!!
She didn't chase it thankfully, I don't fancy her doing a sprint across the wood with a 12 inch scar full of stitches still there. She must be feeling better she is starting to act like a pup again.

Great that she's feeling so well now! :-)  Lots of Reiki for her.

So glad kelsey is on the mend our dogs are such a worry when poorly.
Sheila.xxx