DOG lovers Rich and Sheena Gilpin, from Langford Budville, are alerting dog owners to the symptoms of a condition from which their German Shepherd nearly died.

They say GDV – otherwise known as gastric torsion or dog bloat – is a fairly common condition and often a killer, and that early detection is key in saving a pet’s life.

Their three-year-old dog Max, who they rescued last year, started showing intermittent signs of distress during the early hours one morning.

Rich and Sheena said: “Initially, they put it down to the hot summer and the high temperatures we were experiencing, so we slept outside with him, but by first light his abdomen had started to bloat and he became increasingly anxious.

“Having telephoned Mount Vets we took him to their hospital where he was immediately diagnosed and emergency surgery was performed. Max had part of his stomach removed, as well as his spleen, and his stomach was then anchored to his abdominal wall to prevent any further recurrences.

“At this point his odds of survival were only about 25 per cent. Intensive, round-the-clock care, tube-feeding and constant monitoring meant Max was given the very best chances of recovery and it is only due to the skill, commitment and dedication of the vets, nurses and support staff that Max’s life was saved and he is now at home with us recuperating.

“Words will never be able to express how grateful we are to every one of the staff but special thanks must go to Charlotte Freeman for her surgical skills, professionalism and compassion.”

Symptoms of GDV, which is particularly common among breeds with deep chests, are:

n Anxiety – pacing around or trying to vomit, without success.

n Too much air intake – animals often pant excessively during hot weather and when anxious.

n Saliva – watch out for dribble or saliva from the dog’s mouth.

n Gut bloating – if a distended stomach is observed, seek advice fast.

Rich and Sheena added: “Thankfully, we acted quickly. Please do not hesitate if you notice any of these signs – time is of the essence where GDV is concerned.”