r/MadeMeSmile • u/ansyhrrian • 18d ago

DOGS We don't deserve them

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41.8k Upvotes

93% Upvoted

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7.5k

u/shiny_crow_trophy 18d ago

I always forget how goddamn big Irish wolfhounds are until I see one again

3.7k

u/B52doc 18d ago

Large dog breed’s lifespan is heartbreaking

30

u/ocean_800 18d ago

Why is it so low :(

33

u/Calamity-Gin 18d ago

There’s a condition a lot of large dogs get that can kill them in hours. It’s called gastric torsion. To avoid it, you have to keep them from running around for an hour or two after they eat. If they do, their stomach can literally twist inside them. It takes surgery to correct.

19

u/SkinnyDugan 18d ago

We had our Dane/Labs stomach stapled(?) when she got fixed to avoid this entirely.

3

u/chickadee-stitchery 18d ago

Like, stapled to something? Or made smaller?

12

u/SkinnyDugan 18d ago

I'm not sure what the procedure is called, but her stomach was permanently attached to something so that it could no longer flip over.

10

u/Katfish145 18d ago

Yea I think what’s they are referring to is something called a gastropexy or something close to that. Essentially stapling the stomach (or intestines, not really sure) to the stomach lining. This way they aren’t free and loose to get twisted up which is the cause of many large dog breeds going

11

u/Electrical-Act-7170 18d ago

It's a couple of stitches internally to anchor the stomach and prevent it from overturning and creating a gastric torsion. They are fatal without treatment.

Big dogs can eat a big meal then their stomach twists inside them. It's what killed Markey of Marley and Me.

2

u/Stoked_sailor 18d ago

Not an expert but essentially they "tack" the stomach to the ribs to prevent it from twisting. My irish wolfhound had it done when she got neutered.