Today's Veterinary Practice

JUL-AUG 2017

Today's Veterinary Practice provides comprehensive information to keep every small animal practitioner up to date on companion animal medicine and surgery as well as practice building and management.

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43 JULY/AUGUST 2017 ■ TVPJOURNAL.COM PEER REVIEWED Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus: Stabilization and Surgery Desiree Rosselli, DVM, DACVS (Small Animal) VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital, Los Angeles, California Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) is an acute, life-threatening disorder in dogs, characterized by abnormal twisting of the stomach on its mesenteric axis, with subsequent gastric gas accumulation and distention. Sequelae of GDV can include decreased venous return to the heart, hypovolemia, gastric ischemia, systemic hypotension, myocardial injury, portal hypertension, shock, sepsis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. SIGNALMENT AND PRESENTATION Large and deep-chested dog breeds are considered to be the most at risk for GDV, including the German shepherd, Great Dane, standard poodle, Saint Bernard, Doberman pinscher, Irish setter, and Weimaraner. 1 Even medium- and small-breed dogs with a deep chest conformation, including shar-peis, basset hounds, and cocker spaniels, can develop GDV. Most patients are middle-aged to older, and incidence of GDV increases with increasing age. 2 The most commonly reported potential risk factors for GDV are listed in Box 1 . 2–9 Clinical signs can include restlessness or pacing along with nonproductive vomiting or retching. Ptyalism, abdominal distention, shutterstock.com/Igor Boldyrev A BIG DEAL Large and deep-chested dog breeds are considered to be most at risk for gastric dilatation and volvulus. BOX 1. Risk Factors Associated With Development of GDV 2–9 • Large- or giant-breed dog • Deep chest conformation (increased thoracic depth-to-width ratio) • Increasing age • Familial history, particularly having a first-degree relative with a history of GDV • Previous episode of gastric dilatation • Preexisting gastrointestinal disease or gastric foreign body • History of previous splenectomy • Large volume of food fed once daily • Eating a meal quickly • Dry dog food • Eating from a raised food bowl • Anxiety or stress

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