Todayโs path rounds are on ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฏ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ (GDV), or โbloatโ!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
GDV is a common issue in dogs, and involves two components: dilation of the stomach with gas, then flipping of the stomach within the abdomen. Sometimes the spleen can get involved in the rotation as well, thanks to its attachment to the stomach.
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
This condition is most common in dogs, particularly deep-chested dogs like Great Danes, St. Bernards, Wolfhounds and Bloodhounds.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Itโs not 100% certain what causes GVD, however several predisposing factors have been identified. For example, having a diet composed of small food particles, having a raised food bowl, stress at meal time, being kennelled or even having nasal mites may be predisposing factors for this condition. All of these conditions may cause ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ก๐๐ ๐ข๐ (ingestion of air), thus leading to the dilation.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
Aerophagia leads to the stomach becoming enlarged, which can have some severe consequences. The enlarged stomach may block blood flow to the spleen, leading to ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (death of tissue).
As the stomach enlarges, it may also rotate (๐ฏ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ). This can compress the esophagus, and prevent the animal from burping up the trapped gas. Thus, the stomach stays dilated, and the blood flow to the stomach is restricted, causing similar infarction in the stomach wall. If left untreated, the stomach can become so ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐ (dead tissue) that it eventually ruptures. The enlarged stomach can also push on the ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฅ ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ (major vein draining back to the heart), causing cardiac arrhythmias and inadequate blood flow in the body.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
Usually the veterinarian will have a suspicion of GDV based on the dog being restless, having an enlarged abdomen and even signs of shock like increased heart rate and pale mucous membranes. Based on this, the veterinarian will take an X-ray, which will reveal an enlarged, gas-filled stomach. If there is volvulus involved, the stomach forms a โPopeye armโ or โSmurfโs hatโ shape which is characteristic of the disease.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
First, the patient must be stabilized by ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง. In this procedure, the veterinarian can try to pass a tube into the stomach, to release some of the gas accumulation. Sometimes if this doesnโt work, then the veterinarian can place a needle through the body wall into the stomach allowing the gas to be released.
From there, the dog must be taken to surgery to untwist the stomach and return it to its normal position. Usually the veterinarian will do a ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฑ๐ฒ as part of this procedure, which is where the stomach is sutured to the body wall to prevent another GDV.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1-2) X-rays showing the โsmurf hatโ or โPopeye armโ from GDV.
3-5) Various examples of GDV as seen at necropsy.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Maxie, G. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmerโs Pathology of Domestic Animals, Volume 2. Sixth Edition.
Photos 1-2 courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Photos 3-4 courtesy of University of Calgary Diagnostic Services Unit.
Photo 5 courtesy of Noahโs Arkive.
