Maharashtra: After 5 years of difficulty in even standing, dog walks around post-bariatric surgery

MUMBAI: Deepika’s finally getting back into shape. The 50kg 7-year-old Indie cross breed, pet to a family in Pune, underwent weight-reduction surgery last week. According to doctors, the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was the first such operation done on an animal in India, reports Alex Fernandes.
Over the last few years, Deepika’s ebullience had been waning. She had put on weight, had difficulty walking, could barely stand, panted excessively. Further, she had been diagnosed with a host of ailments such as liver, kidney, cardiac and high BP besides cataract, thyroid and hernia, said Dr Narendra Pardeshi, veterinary laparoscopic surgeon from Pune. Thanks to the surgery, she is now 45kg.

Despite a controlled diet, exercise and medicines, Deepika’s condition had worsened, her owner said.
After 5 yrs of difficulty in even standing, dog walks around post-bariatric surgery

Deepika had become lethargic… At one point, she was popping more tablets than the food she ate,” says her owner Daisy Daruwala.

As Deepika’s condition continued to worsen, Dr Shashank Shah, a bariatric surgeon attached to Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, proposed that the bariatric surgery would work on the dog. “Excess of grelin, a hormone, reduces metabolism. This, in turn, affects the liver, the viscera and other organs,” said Dr Shah. “In Deepika’s case, the curvature of the stomach was detached to reduce the size of the stomach by 70%, and sutured. So, the patient consumes lesser food and yet feels satiated.”

Having shed 5kg, Deepika now stands, even walks around the house. Her panting has reduced, the high blood pressure is now in better control and the ECG is normalising, Dr Pardeshi said, “Had it not been for the bariatric surgery, Deepika would have been bed-ridden in a the next couple of years… This surgery will give her a better quality of life and a longer lifespan too.”

For the last few days since the operation was done , Deepika has been feeding on diluted chicken stock and water. The family is of the firm belief that every creature on this earth has the right to live and it has to be respected.

Just a week into the surgery, the canine is already looking slimmer and even feeling better, said Daruwala whose family had to avail of a loan for the surgery. “She is back to walking around the house for now although we do ensure that she does not have stress too much,” said Daruwala.

“We can’t wait for Deepika to bounce back completely.”

Source: Times Of India, Not edited by DogExpress staff