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