GDV / Bloat / Torsion... Bramble survived - and is still going strong!

[Susan Stone]

To end the year on a positive note, here is a new photograph of Bramble, taken on December 26th 2012. She is enjoying a sedate life as an old lady seven months after her emergency operation for gastric torsion. Bramble will be 13 years old in March. We are so thankful that she is still with us.

I know not all have been so fortunate, having lost their loved dogs to this dreadful disease. Thinking of all who have lost their four-legged friend too soon, whatever the reason. 

Dear 'Brambles' is coping very well with our new addition, 4 month old Annie. No way will Bramble share her bone or her dinner with the little upstart!!!  (Tell you the truth it is thanks to Annie that Bramble eats up her dinners so nicely... :-))

 

previously: on 28th May 2012

I hope all Setter owners know about this life threatening emergency: Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) also referred to as bloat, torsion. We have just been through the experience with Bramble, our 12 year old Irish Setter bitch and we are extremely fortunate that she is one of the lucky ones: Bramble has survived! 8 days after the emergency op on a Saturday night she is steadily improving.

Our experience had a happy outcome but it could so easily have gone very badly wrong. To avoid this happening to anyone else, here is our story:

At 8pm on Saturday May 19th my father realised something was badly wrong with Bramble. Bramble usually lives with him since the death of his old girl Ginger a couple of years ago. He phoned the emergency vet number and was told the vet on duty was three villages away. He contacted them saying he suspected GDV (having lost a dog many years ago to this condition he knew the signs) and took Bramble in. The emergency vet confirmed the suspicion... and said he could not operate!!!

It was now 9 pm. Bramble is 12 years old... did we want to operate? Yes, Bramble had no serious health issues at the time. We wanted to try to save her and her vital signs showed there was still a chance. BUT this vet could not operate, not having the necessary help available. We al know with GDV every second counts...   

My father was then told to drive 1 hour to a clinic where they would try to save Bramble's life. After searching for the clinic my father finally got there after 10 pm with Bramble in a very serious condition in the back of the car. We were lucky, Bramble was successfully operated on and after three days of being critically ill we were were finally allowed to pick her up. From then on she is steadily improving and we hope she can share a bit more time with us.

What really shocked me was that despite my father telling the emergency vet that he suspected GDV, he was not sent immediately to a clinic who could actually operate!

Please, all setter owners, make sure you know where your closest emergency vet is who can operate on GDV. Check before there is an emergency and make sure you know where the clinic is to avoid losing your way in an emergency, possibly at night. Ask you vet before the emergency occurs!!! You may be able to save your dog's life.

[lyn hathaway]

oh susan i am sorry bramble has had to go through that . i lost my first red setter to it and its one of the most distressing things to see a dog who has it.but i am so pleased she has got through it and is on the recovery road and well done to your dad he really did save her by acting so quick .love to all

[Cheryl Gorey]

Oh Susan, I am so sorry to read what Bramble and your Dad went through, but so relieved to know that Bramble is recovering well.  It must have been so frightening for you all.  Hugs to the lovely old lady!  xx

[Susan Stone]

Here she is, Bramble today, 2 weeks after the op, doing great and enjoying the sun... thank you all for your good wishes!

We have been lucky (this time). I'd like to recommend all setter owners to read the following article in full... food for thought! http://www.ufaw.org.uk/GASTRICDILATATIONVOLVULUSIRISHSETTER.php

[Carmel Murphy]

She looks great;o) Beautiful Lady too;o)

[Christine Pullen]

aaah what a lovely girl, she looks great!!

[Chantal McIlveen-Wright]

what a sweet face, so very pleased you are doing great now!!!  keep on doing well beautiful Bramble  :-)

[Ellen Turberfield]

Brambel is looking so well (",)

[Torie Lancaster]

Beautiful Bramble...I wish you good health in the future, you so deserve it.

[Maggie Smith]

Such a lovely girl - Bramble makes the sunshine brighter

[Marta Magi]

Good recovery to the dear girl. She is lucky in way having such caring and experienced owners like you and your father are. All the best with her and many happy years together! take care!!

[ereni]

BEAR HUG to Brumble ! Thanks for sharing, Susan!

[Tina Clamp]

Hi susan

I can sympathise with your dog Bramble. I had until last Thurs 31st may 2012 a beautiful Irish girl called Mia aged 6 years old. She too had bloat, i acted quickly and she went in and had the operation but  unfortunately she did not come out the other side and died. I took her in to our vets at 10 o'clock at night and she had to have the operation there and then. It is a horrible cruel way for any animal to die.  So glad Bramble suvived and good luck for the future with him. I followed all the guidelines of feeding and execise and it still didn't work. So i think it is down to luck.

take care Susan and Bramble

from Tina clamp xx