Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Quick Summary

• To prevent gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) in dogs, control the size and portion of your dog’s food depending on his actual body size and use slow feeders.
• Signs of GDV in dogs include anxious look or constantly looking at the abdomen, drooling, swollen abdomen, retching without producing anything, panting, etc.
• If you notice signs of bloat in your dog, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) in dogs is a life-threatening condition that affects dogs. When the stomach expands and rotates, it causes a gastric rupture. GDV is a common condition in large and giant breed dogs but can occur in any breed of dog. So if you notice symptoms that might indicate GDV in your dog, I highly suggest you have Fido checked by the vet right away.

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus or Bloat in Dogs

Bodie the Bassett Hound, the jolly Am-basset-dor for the Bassett Rescue Network, Inc. (BaRNi) in Acton, California, found himself in an awful state of pain right before the holidays. On December 18, Bodie, who has raised funds for BaRNi’s hundred Bassett Hounds as their official rescue spokesdog, fell victim to a very common silent killer that has affected nearly 60,000 dogs nationwide and has taken the lives of 20,000.

Commonly known as “Bloat,” Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus Syndrome (GDV) is a condition that gets dogs right where it hurts most, in the gut. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) says GDV is “commonly associated with large meals and causes the stomach to dilate because of food and gas and may get to a point where neither may be expelled. As the stomach begins to dilate and expand, the pressure in the stomach begins to increase.”

Life threatening complication (risk of bloat)

ACVS goes on to explain that the increased pressure in the stomach can restrict adequate blood flow back to the heart from the stomach. It can limit the blood flow that is supposed to reach the stomach’s lining and can even cause the stomach walls to rupture.

What Happens to the Stomach of a Bloated Dog?

The stomach’s expansion due to GDV can also directly affect a dog’s breathing because of increased pressure on the dog’s diaphragm that limits lung capacity.

Volvulus refers to the rotation of the stomach in a dog’s abdomen that may occur when the stomach becomes extremely dilated (as described above, the stomach fills with gas and food). “The rotation can occasionally lead to blockage [of] the blood supply to the spleen and the stomach wall, requiring surgical removal of the dead tissues. Most of these patients are in shock due to the effects on the entire body,” says the ACVS. GDV dramatically affects deep-chested breeds that have a family history of the syndrome. In a Purdue University study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, led by Dr. Lawrence T. Glickman, it’s described that the top breeds susceptible to bloat include the Great Dane, the Saint Bernard, and the Weimaraner. The Bassett Hound is among those deep chested dogs predisposed to suffer from this condition, as was the case with Bodie.

“At one moment Bodie was happy, and two seconds later he was in full gastric torsion and bellowing,” wrote BaRNi founder Dawn Smith in a recent press release. Bodie’s battle with bloat took him on a rushed ride to Chat Oak Emergency Hospital with two Gas X in his tummy to hold him over until he arrived. While there, Bodie faced intubation and ultimately went under the knife for a prophylactic gastropexy, essentially stapling his stomach lining to his abdomen to prevent rotation of the stomach.

Gastric Dilatation, also known as twisted stomach, is a serious condition that can affect dogs. The condition occurs when the stomach becomes enlarged and then twists on its axis, cutting off the blood supply. This can lead to death if not treated quickly.

Causes of Gastric Dilatation Volvulus in Dogs

Though various studies have been conducted, many agree that the causes of bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus in dogs) aren’t fully understood at this point. Nevertheless, the ACVS describes the following as potential causes or indicators of an increased incidence of this condition:

What are the risk factors of GDV?

There are a number of factors that can increase your dog’s risk of developing gastric dilatation and volvulus. Some of these include:

• A deep chest (increased thoracic height to width ratio)
• Feeding a single, large meal daily
• Old age
• Ancestral history of GDV
• Elevated meal bowls
• Previously having had a spleen removed
• Size (large or giant dogs)
• Stress

How to Prevent Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus in Dogs

One of the most important treatments for gastric dilatation and volvulus is gastric decompression. This involves passing a tube through the dog’s mouth and into the stomach to release the gas that has built up. If left untreated, this gas can cause the stomach to twist even further, leading to more serious complications. If the stomach has been severely damaged, it may be necessary to perform a partial gastric resection.

This is a surgical procedure in which part of the stomach is removed. This can help reduce the risk of gastric necrosis, or death of the tissue in the stomach. When it comes to preventing GDV, because the condition isn’t fully understood, taking precautions based on current studies is highly recommended. Start with spotting the signs of GDV before the condition gets out of hand. Being aware of potential symptoms will help you make the best decision in helping your dog with bloat.

The following are symptoms that ACVS describes as indicators of the onset of bloat:

Symptoms of Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus in Dogs

• An anxious look or constantly looking at the abdomen
• Standing and stretching
• Drooling
• Distending abdomen
• Retching without producing anything
• Panting (occurs as the disease progresses)
• Abdominal distension
• Weakness, collapse, or recumbence

Gastric problems can also occur from low-quality toys that they chew and leave small traces of plastic in their stomach. Always use certified indestructible dog toys when you play with your dog.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) adds that pet parents may also look for the following symptoms:

• Unsuccessful attempts to belch or vomit
• Shortness of breath
• Cold body temperature
• Pale gums
• Rapid heartbeat

GDV can be a life-threatening condition for dogs. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately. The vet will perform a physical examination and may need to insert a stomach tube to relieve the pressure on the gastrointestinal tract.

Dogs with GDV need emergency veterinary care, including intravenous fluids and oxygen therapy.

Pet parents of large breeds may be all too familiar with the trials and tribulations of GDV, but all pet parents should be aware of GDV and the potential harm it can cause. Though some dogs are at higher risk for bloat, all breeds can come down with this condition as certain circumstances can lead the condition to rear its ugly head even in the smallest of Chihuahuas. Luckily for Bodie, surgery and some very dedicated Bassett lovers came to his rescue and saved his life. Though recovering, he continues to be the Am-Bassett-dor of the Basset Rescue Network.