It’s not uncommon for pet owners to worry about their beloved four-legged companions. Unfortunately, twisted stomach, or gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), is a serious and life-threatening condition that can affect some dogs. It’s important for pet owners to be aware of the signs and symptoms of GDV, and to understand how it is treated so they can best protect the health of their pup. This blog post will explore the symptoms, causes, and treatments of GDV, as well as how an owner can help a dog survive if they are diagnosed with this condition. A twisted stomach can be an extremely serious and life-threatening condition, but with proper care and attention, a full recovery is possible. We’ll discuss the steps that you need to take to ensure the health and safety of your pup if they are found to have GDV.
“Within minutes of receiving the owner’s approval to proceed with treatment, we have these dogs diagnosed and much more comfortable.” When bloat is the main concern, the VMC operates like a well-oiled machine,” says Dr. Luschini. “We can discuss treatment and the overall prognosis with the dog’s owners once we have more accurate diagnostics and are taking care of the dog’s comfort and vitals.” There are a few clear diagnostic signs that can inform us when a surgery has a low chance of success and is high risk. In those situations, we want the pet owner to be able to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with surgery. ”.
Although the number of dogs diagnosed with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) annually in the US is unknown (the data simply has never been collected), educated estimates place the number in the tens of thousands, with some estimates as high as 60,000 cases annually. All dog owners should be knowledgeable about this condition, including how to spot and respond to bloat symptoms. This is a must-read for those of you who own one of the high-risk breeds (listed below).
If your dog has a true GDV, it must be surgically treated for it to be curable. The only option that will spare the dog from suffering after surgery and postoperative care is euthanasia. There is no “wait and see” or cautious strategy that can avert suffering, pain, and eventual demise. We advise owners of breeds in the high risk group to budget for a preventive gastropexy rather than taking a chance on an expensive emergency surgery with a sick animal. Numerous pet insurance providers will also pay for this preventive surgery.
GDV is a life threatening condition. Without treatment the condition is fatal. If a regular veterinarian is unavailable after hours or is unfamiliar with treating this condition, pet owners should be aware of the location of the closest veterinary emergency facility. If possible, call ahead and tell them you suspect bloat. When it comes to cases of bloat, time is of the essence, and the sooner your pet receives veterinary care, the greater the chance of a full recovery.
Large arteries and veins are pressed against by the stomach’s expansion. The stomach’s blood supply is cut off, toxic substances accumulate, and tissues start to deteriorate,” explains Dr. Luschini. “Once GDV occurs, dogs can experience shock very quickly, and every minute without treatment raises the possibility of additional damage and even death.” ”.
GDV and Stomach Bloat in Dogs: Signs, Treatment and Prognosis
Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), another name for stomach bloat, is a condition where a dog’s stomach swells up with gas. In some cases, food or liquid causes the stomach to swell.
The stomach typically twists in a clockwise direction as it swells. The esophagus and duodenum twist and kink off after the stomach is distended and twisted, trapping the gas in the stomach. In addition to making the animal extremely uncomfortable, the twist in the stomach also reduces blood flow to the stomach, which, if untreated, could lead to the death of the stomach and, ultimately, the patient.
Another occurrence is the blockage of the main vein (vena cava), which travels from the back of the body to the heart and causes shock. If shock is not treated, which is a condition in which the body receives insufficient blood perfusion, it can be fatal.
A number of breeds are commonly affected by stomach bloat. About 50% of all Great Danes will bloat during their lifetime.
In the course of their lives, about 1 in 5 Irish wolfhounds will bloat. Standard poodles, bloodhounds, Akitas, Irish setters, German shepherds, dachshunds, and Labrador retrievers are some other breeds that are susceptible. Females and males are equally affected.
Clinical signs of bloat include:
The diagnosis of bloat is confirmed with abdominal x-rays.
Initially, intravenous fluids are administered to help reverse shock. To relieve gas and fluid buildup, the patient is then given anesthesia and a tube is inserted from the mouth into the stomach. The stomach is then washed with water to remove any food that was consumed.
The patient will be taken to surgery after these pre-op procedures, where the stomach will be untwisted. To stop the stomach from twisting once more, it is stitched to the right side of the body wall in this instance (a procedure known as gastropexy). Sometimes a section of the stomach needs to be removed because it has died (necrosed). Euthanasia may be advised if the stomach is too dead. If blood clots have formed in the spleen, it will be removed.
The patient is closely watched in the intensive care unit following surgery. Intravenous fluid therapy is continued after surgery. Transfusions of blood, artificial plasma (hetastarch), and plasma may be necessary in some circumstances. Pain is controlled after surgery with a variety of medications. Blood pressure, EKG and other vital signs are closely monitored.
Preventative surgery can be performed to minimize the risk of bloat in high-risk patients such as Great Danes, German Shepherds,
A telescopic camera and two small incisions are used to perform this surgery laparoscopically. The procedure can be carried out as early as six months of age (during neutering). This procedure is less expensive than treating bloat, has less morbidity, requires less anesthesia and surgery time, and requires a shorter hospital stay.
After surgery, the majority of dogs will stay in the hospital for one to three days. IV fluids to maintain hydration, painkillers, and close monitoring are all included in post-operative care. Complications can include arrhythmias, hemorrhage, and infection. Systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome (SIRS), which can occur in some circumstances Also possible is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a severe and fatal breakdown of the body’s ability to clot blood.
Your dog will undergo surgery as soon as possible thanks to your veterinarian. Before doing this, the patient should be as stable as possible. Full recovery from shock won’t be possible until the stomach is surgically de-rotated. The patient’s condition should be optimized. This entails controlling pain, stabilizing blood pressure, bringing heart rate back to normal or close to normal, decompressing the abdomen using a stomach tube or a trocar.
Bloat is the only word that causes dog owners the most fear. It is a fairly common occurrence and necessitates immediate treatment with surgery. But what is it exactly, and what should you do if you think your dog may be experiencing a bloat?
Unfortunately, these symptoms present a diagnostic dilemma for the veterinarian. Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome, Addisonian crisis, and anaphylaxis are just a few of the conditions that can cause acute collapse. Death frequently occurs if mesenteric volvulus is not diagnosed within one to two hours. As a result, your veterinarian should start treatment and diagnostics right away if your dog displays these symptoms.
Initial treatment and testing should happen simultaneously when possible. To administer fluids and treat shock, which is indicated by low blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat, and rapid breathing, an IV catheter will be inserted. Additionally, a face mask or nasal prongs can deliver oxygen. Since MV is a very painful condition, painkillers should be administered.
FAQ
Can a dog’s stomach untwist?
To untwist the stomach and put it back in its proper position, surgery is needed. The procedure also enables the veterinarian to evaluate the damage brought on by the animal’s lack of blood flow as a result of the stomach’s twisting. Any damaged tissue will be cut out if there is any.
How do you treat a dog with a twisted stomach?
To check for twisted stomachs, the veterinarian will X-ray the animal. If so, your dog will require immediate surgery to untwist it and restore it to its original position. The veterinarian will also repair the stomach to stop GSV in the future. Additionally, they’ll look to see if other body parts were affected by the condition.
Can a dog survive bloat without treatment?
Without blood flow, the stomach quickly degrades. Additionally, because of how enlarged it is, it can squeeze the large vessels that carry blood back to the heart and shock the circulatory system. Without treatment, GDV is a fatal condition. An hour or two may be all that a dog with bloat has to live.
How fast does twisted stomach happen in dogs?
Bloat and GDV can happen at any time, but the condition has been reported to most frequently occur two to three hours after eating a substantial meal.