Twisted Stomach in the Dog [ GDV, Volvulus, Bloat ]
This condition affects dogs from large breeds …
I have in my time employed a number of new graduate vets, it has been on the whole a rewarding experience watching them progress as they gain confidence in their surgical skills and tackle more and more complex procedures. After they are confident with the likes of bitch spays and dog castrations there is one operation about which they all voice concerns about tackling on their own, perhaps unaided in an out of hours setting and that is the operation to correct a twisted stomach, unlike the bitch spay this is an emergency operation. This condition affects dogs from large breeds which tend to have deep chests such as Great Danes. The condition is known by a number of names, twisted stomach, volvulus, GDV [ Gastric dilation and volvulus syndrome ], bloat.
Cause : The cause of this disease is in some way related to the shape of the dog’s chest, it tends to affect dogs whose chest has a teardrop profile instead of a round profile like that of a Bulldog. Examples of dogs which might be affected would be Great Danes, Wolfhounds, German shepherds, Boxers, Standard Poodles, and more. This condition starts as a bloat where no doubt due to an abnormal fermentation condition in the stomach an excess of gas is produced and the stomach starts to swell, normally in a round chested dog belching and perhaps vomiting will relieve the situation and that is the end of the story. However in a breed of dog with a tear drop shaped profile the stomach will not only expand but will turn round on its axis and as further expansion of the stomach occurs it becomes trapped in the tear drop shape of the dog’s chest. As the input pipe and the output pipe are blocked due to the twisting effect the stomach is then sealed and the further expansion will occur as the abnormal fermentation process is still present. Unless something is done quickly death will rapidly follow as the stomach swells to a very large size.
Clinical signs : What you might expect to see is swelling of the dogs stomach area, attempting to vomit perhaps with some froth being produced, drooling of saliva, signs of pain, restlessness, and anxiety. Where the swelling is large the dog may be unable to sit.
Treatment : If the animal is got to the vet quickly and the condition is not too advanced it may be possible to pass a stomach tube orally, if successful this will release the gas in the stomach and it could be that the stomach would then turn on its axis to its proper position and that would be the end of the story. Often however this is not going to work and you then have to carry out emergency surgery, there are a number of ways that surgery can be carried out and your vet will use his own judgement which technique to use. Some vets stabilise these animals on fluids, use a large needle to deflate the stomach and then some hours later open the dog up and correct the situation. Other vets go in a once put the dog on a drip as they go along and correct the situation at once. When the stomach has been put in its rightful position it is possible to fix it to the body wall to try and stop the condition happening again in the future. I must have done a good few twisted stomach operations in my life as for many years I did my own out of hours emergency cover, I would say that the death rate was about one third of cases presented to me, the longer the delay in bringing the animal to the vet the higher the death rate will be.
Prevention : It may be that this condition is impossible to prevent but it would be logical to try and reduce the possibility of abnormal fermentation occurring in the stomach. Feed a number of smaller meals in the day as opposed to one large meal in the evening, avoid foods which are high in cereals which may ferment easily, do not feed the dog after exercise but wait a couple of hours. It would also be a good idea to introduce any new diet gradually say over four of five days.
Twisted stomach in the dog is perhaps the young vet’s worst nightmare, however if they keep a cool head it can be fairly easily treated. From the owner’s point of view this is one condition where you should seek immediate veterinary help if you have the slightest suspicion that your dog is affected. Get your dog to the vet at once no matter what time of night it might be, do not tolerate any delays, tell your vet you are driving to his clinic at once.
Thank you for a detailed explanation of the problems facing larger dogs with regard to twisted stomach. My brother and sister-in-law recently lost a beautiful French Bordeaux to twisted stomach while he was in a kennel (the kennel owner was very sketchy with details of the condition, how it arises and treatment). I’m sure it will help in their grieving to understand the condition.
Comment by matthew merralls | June 5, 2009
This has just only happened to my dog, she is a 9 year old Boxer, she is very attached to me & has in the past showed signs of stress while we were apart (when she was at the breeder when she had her litter)
we were all away in our caravan, we hadn’t left her at all, she’d been with us everywhere we went, even slept in the caravan with us,rather than in the awning with the children. This afternoon we had taken the children to the open air pool, where dogs aren’t allowed, so we left her at the caravan tied up in the shade & with water.
Two hours later,we were rushing her to the local vet & she was being operated on, while the vet says that this wasn’t due to me leaving her, after reading all the information I do believe it was.
I’m pleased to say that she is recovering well at home with us now.
Comment by Mandy Bevington | August 17, 2009
Today i had to put my beautiful dog Buddy down! He was a Bull mastiff x and he got a twisted stomach.I wish i had know about this condition, as i would have taken him to the vet earlier…I’m going to send this info on DGV to all my family and friends with big dogs.. hopefully with the knowledge it may save a life some day.
Comment by Natasha Gerakis | August 23, 2009
What do I do if Im not close to a vet?
Im having the same problem with my dogs. Three of them have had it till know, and I have lost them. First a mastiff, second a german shepherds and the latest one a cocker spaniar. I changed the food after my mastiff died but it has continued. What do I do?
What to feed them please need a answer asap.
… Could it be poisoning…. what are some symptoms?
Comment by Jony Melves | December 28, 2009
After my boxer recovered from her operation, the vet advised us to feed little and often, as my girls only eat once a day after we eat, and also if you feed dry food soak it in water first. Their all worth a try, good luck x
Comment by Mandy Bevington | December 28, 2009
I just lost my bestfriend do to a twisted stomach. He was a 3yr old Dogo Argentino named Aniol which mean Angel in Polish and let me tell you he was true to his name. There had been so much air and gas in his belly that it bursted a hole. I had spent all weekend with him and he acted like always just be giant ball of love, my big baby. Monday morning came and he was still fine, went to the bathroom around 830am normal and all. By the time I came home at 530pm his belly looked as if he had a beach ball in there. I hurshed him right over but it was to late. He saved my life but I couldnt save his. He was my life my everything my reason for waking up in the morning. I just cant understand how this has happened, but thanx to this post at least I have a clue as to what happen to the love of my life. I pray that no dog and owner ever feel the pain that my love felt and that Im feeling.
Comment by Emilia | January 13, 2010
I have my kc and it happen to me it was the end of the world I was with her all nite and pry I pry my mother pry we all were prying and she got well thanks God but it happen again and I pry again I have learn with this is that I give her the food slow I start at 300pm and every hour I give her 1.4 of the can with 4 onces of water , and shes ok I had to take her off of her dry it was no good for her but I replace it with pauhes of food in the morning she is wonderful she is my daugter and I know how we pet lover feel but dont fear give her the food slow and the water than keep giving her water 4 onces but make sure not less than an hour and keep aware of her stomack always
Comment by Manny | January 26, 2010
i lost me great dane to a twisted stomach he was only 3 years old. One minute he was ok and by the afternoon his stomach had bloated he coulnt be saved it broke my heart.
Comment by S RICHARDS | February 11, 2010