Gastric Torsion ( a Killer )

[Dobified]

Gastric Dilitation and Volvulus (GDV), Bloat and Torsion



What is meant by the term " Bloat" in dogs?

This is a term that is synonymous with the more scientific term "Gastric Dilatation/Volvulus." It is often called GDV. That means that a dog's stomach distends with air to the point that it goes into shock and may die.

Dilatation means that the stomach is distended with air, but it is located in the abdomen in its correct place. Volvulus means that the distention is associated with a twisting of the stomach on its longitudinal axis.

How or why does this occur?

We really do not know the answer to either of those questions. Original theories suggested that it occurred when a dog ate a large meal of dry food and then drank a lot of water. The water caused the dry food to swell. At the same time, the dog was supposed to be engaged in strenuous exercise that included running and jumping. That resulted in the dog's stomach twisting on itself as the heavy organ was jostled about in the abdomen.

Although that is the most common explanation given, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory. In most dogs experiencing GDV, the stomach is not excessively full of dry food and the dog has not recently engaged in strenuous exercise. The most current theory is that the stomach's contractions lose their regular rhythm and trap air in the stomach; this can cause the twisting event. However, the sequence of events for most cases defies a good explanation.

How is it diagnosed?

The first step in diagnosis is to determine if the correct breed is involved. This condition almost always occurs in deep-chested dogs of large breeds. Some of the more commonly affected breeds include Great Danes, Irish Setters, German Shepherds, and Afghan Hounds.

The next step is to establish that the stomach is distended with air. An enlarged stomach will cause the body wall to protrude prominently, especially on the dog's left side. The swelling will be very firm and obvious enough to see across the room. Occasionally, this distention is not very apparent. This occurs in dogs which have a large portion of the stomach up under the rib cage. In most cases, however, the owner is able to detect the distention. A dog which experiences significant pain will be very depressed. It may lie in what is commonly called a "praying position" with the front legs drawn fully forward. This should occur quickly, within two to three hours at the most.

The presence of a rapidly developing distended abdomen in a large breed dog is enough evidence to make a tentative diagnosis of GDV. A radiograph (x-ray) is used to confirm the diagnosis of dilatation. It can also identify the presence of volvulus, in most cases.

What happens when the stomach is distended with air?

The first major life-threatening event that occurs is shock. This occurs because the distended stomach puts pressure on the large veins in the abdomen that carry blood back to the heart. Without proper return of blood, the output of blood from the heart is diminished, and the tissues are deprived of blood and oxygen.

The reduced blood output from the heart and the high pressure within the cavity of the stomach cause the stomach wall to be deprived of adequate circulation. If the blood supply is not restored quickly, the wall of the stomach begins to die; the wall may rupture. If volvulus occurs, the spleen's blood supply will also be impaired. This organ is attached to the stomach wall and shares some large blood vessels. When the stomach twists, the spleen is also rotated to an abnormal position and its vessels are compressed.

When the stomach is distended, digestion stops. This results in the accumulation of toxins that are normally removed from the intestinal tract. These toxins activate several chemicals which cause inflammation, and the toxins are absorbed into circulation. This causes problems with the blood clotting factors so that inappropriate clotting occurs within blood vessels. This is called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and is usually fatal.

What is done to save the dog's life?

There are several important steps that must be taken quickly.

1)Shock must be treated with administration of large quantities of intravenous fluids. They must be given quickly; some dogs require more than one intravenous line.

2)Pressure must be removed from within the stomach. This may be done with a tube that is passed from the mouth to the stomach. Another method is to insert a large bore needle through the skin into the stomach. A third method is to make an incision through the skin into the stomach and to temporarily suture the opened stomach to the skin. The last method is usually done when the dog's condition is so grave that anesthesia and abdominal surgery is not possible.

3)The stomach must be returned to its proper position. This requires abdominal surgery which can be risky because of the dog's condition.

4)The stomach wall must be inspected for areas that may have lost its blood supply. Although this is a very bad prognostic sign, the devitalized area(s) of the stomach should be surgically removed.

5)The stomach must be attached to the abdominal wall (gastropexy) to prevent recurrence of GDV. Although this is not always successful, this procedure greatly reduces the likelihood of recurrence.

6)Abnormalities in the rhythm of the heart (arrhythmias) must be diagnosed and treated. Severe arrhythmias can become life-threatening at the time of surgery and for several days after surgery. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is the best method for monitoring the heart's rhythm.

What is the survival rate?

This will largely be determined by the severity of the distention, the degree of shock, how quickly treatment is begun, and the presence of other diseases, especially those involving the heart. Approximately 60 % of the dogs will survive if treatment is started reasonably soon after onset of signs. Some dogs may survive the initial treatment and surgery only to have areas of the stomach wall die and slough 2 to 4 days after surgery. These areas may have looked fine during surgery but were deprived of blood long enough to permanently affect the tissue.

What can be done to prevent it from occurring again?

The most effective means of prevention is gastropexy, the surgical attachment of the stomach to the body wall. This will not prevent dilatation (bloat), but it will prevent volvulus in most cases. Various dietary and exercise restrictions have been used, but none of these have proven value.

Fortunately, this is not something that is a routine occurrence but it does happen often enough that owners of "deep chested" large breeds should be aware of the potential.

[Dax]

EXCELLENT... I have added this as a link in the health sticky for future reference

[Dobified]

I have had two scares with Jenna.


Jenna tends to bolt her food, so this in itself is bad but one time when we were not watching I am pretty sure she ate part of Rudy's food as well. ( he let her ). She was so distented I rushed her to the vet at midnight and had her x-rayed, no torsion ( twist ) and she was just full of food and that is why she was acting uncomfartable. The way that vet put it, it is like stuffing yourslef at thanksgiving dinner and having that extremely FULL feeling.

The last time was about two weeks ago. In the moring before work Jenna was distented again, I was scared but she threw up and it had looked like she had ate some of the horses oats. I called the vet( my vet this time ) and he explained that since she was throwing up it was unlikely to be torsion because both ends of the stomach twist not just one, that can happen, but only in extremely unlikely circumsatnces. So here is what he told me to do:

40cc of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide down the throat to make her throw up again. Get out whatever is in her stomach causing the problem ( we both figured she ate a lot of oats when no one was looking ).

I said to him is that not poison ? He said no and it will not harm her other then make her throw up in a big hurry,in 5 minutes or less. I said that is an awful lot of Hydrogen Peroxide and he said yes it is but that is how much you need you can try 20cc ( which is alot as well ) and if she doesn't throw up use the otehr 20 cc's,. I have 20cc syringes so I went out got the peroxide and by the time I got home she was fine. ( ???? ) house smelled like she or Rudy had messed somewhere but she was no longer bloated and happily running around. I guess she just passed the gas out the rear exit.... sure smelt like it. LOL!!!!

So Jenna scares me, she seems prone to this type of thing, hence the thread. I would not want to see anyone have to go through this. Including me.

Knowledge about this is important if you want to save your dogs life if this ever happens to you.

[Dobified]

The physiology of bloat

Torsion or volvulus are terms to describe the twisting of the stomach after gastric distention occurs. The different terms are used to define the twisting whether it occurs on the longitudinal axis (torsion) or the mesenteric axis (volvulus). Most people use the terms interchangeably, and the type of twist has no bearing on the prognosis or treatment. When torsion occurs, the esophagus is closed off, limiting the dog's ability to relieve distention by vomiting or belching. Often the spleen becomes entrapped as well, and its blood supply is cut off.

Now a complex chain of physiologic events begins. The blood return to the heart decreases, cardiac output decreases, and cardiac arrythmias may follow. Toxins build up in the dying stomach lining. The liver, pancreas, and upper small bowel may also be compromised. Shock from low blood pressure and endotoxins rapidly develops. Sometimes the stomach ruptures, leading to peritonitis.

Abdominal distention, salivating, and retching are the hallmark signs of GDV. Other signs may include restlessness, depression, lethargy, anorexia, weakness, or a rapid heart rate.

[kimberly]

Thanks Dobified, Extremely imforative. I am gonna add it to "my documents" For further ref. Kimberly

[mara]

Excellant information! Thanks for posting this. One of my favorite Boxers died of this about 10 years ago. It happened so fast it was unbelievable.

[Blaze]

Great info! Thanks for posting it!

[Riding Hulio]

That is a good sticky for people to read. I know of a Dobey that ate his meal and then went on a long walk then died from a twisted gut. Very sad and easily preventable...

[Dobified]

It is an awful thing and people need to be aware of it.

Deep chested dogs are most at risk.