GDV is one of the most serious emergencies dogs can face. It’s often called bloat, and it happens when the dog’s stomach fills up with gas, food, or fluid, and then twists on itself. The twist traps the contents inside, cutting off blood flow to the stomach and other vital organs.
When the stomach fills up with gas, food, or fluid, it’s called dilatation. When the stomach twists, it’s known as volvulus.
Without immediate treatment, the condition can prove fatal. What makes GDV so dangerous is how fast it develops and how quickly it can lead to shock. As the stomach expands, it presses against the diaphragm, making it hard for your dog to breathe.
Blood circulation is disrupted, toxins build up, and the stomach tissue can start to die. In dire cases, even the heart and spleen can be affected.
In this blog, we’ll tell you all about GDV in dogs, from the causes to treatment options.
What Causes GDV in Dogs?
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus in dogs doesn’t have a clear cause yet, but some factors have been known to increase the risk. Many of them have to do with your dog’s lifestyle.
Breed and Body Type
Large, deep-chested breeds are much more likely to develop GDV. This includes dog breeds like Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Standard Poodles, and German Shepherds. Their chest structure gives the stomach more room to move and twist.
Diet and Eating Habits
Dogs that eat very quickly, gulp air while eating, or eat one large meal a day are at higher risk. Additionally, feeding only dry kibble or any food high in fat and oil may increase the risk of bloat in some dogs.
Activity Around Mealtime
Intense exercise and play after meals can also increase the risk of GDV in dogs. Much like humans, rest is recommended after eating in order to avoid any abdominal pain and gastrointestinal distress.
Age and Sex
Older dogs are at a much higher risk of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, while males have a slightly higher chance of it compared to females.
Symptoms of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus in Dogs
GDV develops quickly, and in many cases, the signs can appear within a few minutes and hours. Because this is an emergency situation, take note of these common symptoms:
Unproductive Retching or Gagging. Your dog may appear to be trying to vomit, but this will just be some unproductive retching or gagging. This happens because the twisted stomach prevents the contents from leaving.
Enlarged or Firm Abdomen. Affected dogs may also have a swollen belly that is firm to the touch.
Restlessness or Pacing. Dogs may act uncomfortable, unable to settle, and keep moving from place to place. This is often due to the pain they feel.
Excessive Drooling. Excessive drooling is also another symptom caused by the nausea and discomfort they feel.
Rapid Breathing. As the stomach swells, it pushes against the diaphragm and makes it harder for your dog to breathe.
Weakness or Collapse. Some dogs may collapse due to restricted blood flow to the vital organs.
Abdominal Pain. Your dog may hold a praying position, which is often a common sign of pain and discomfort.
How Do Vets Diagnose GDV in Dogs?
When a dog arrives at the vet with suspected GDV, time is critical. Our emergency vets will be the first to take action, helping stabilize your dog’s condition.
The first step is to address the shock with intravenous fluids. This helps restore blood pressure and improve circulation within the body. If your dog is in serious pain, we will provide some pain medications.
Once your dog is stabilized, we will conduct a physical exam. Here, our vets will check for a swollen, firm abdomen and other symptoms.
Abdominal X-rays will be the gold standard in diagnosing Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus in dogs. This can help us visualize the stomach’s shape and look for the characteristic “double bubble” shape.
Other tests such as bloodwork and an electrocardiogram can check for your dog’s overall condition and monitor the heart and other organs.
How Is GDV in Dogs Treated?
Treatment must come as soon as possible in order to save the dog’s life. The process involves stabilizing the patient, decompressing the stomach, and performing surgery to correct the twist and prevent it from happening again.
Stabilization
Stabilization will be done initially to make sure your dog comfortable and stable before we start the treatment process. This will include IV fluids, pain medication, and oxygen therapy. Anesthesia and sedatives will used after.
Stomach Decompression
Once the dog is stable, our vets will release the trapped gas from the stomach by passing a tube down the throat and into the stomach. We can also do this by inserting a needle through the abdominal wall to relieve the pressure.
Emergency Surgery
The definitive treatment for canine GDV is surgery. Our vets will untwist the stomach and assess any tissue damage, if there is any. Next, we’ll remove any dead tissue and check on the condition of other nearby organs. If the spleen has been damaged, we will conduct a splenoctomy.
To prevent this from happening again, we will do a gastropexy. This involves attaching the stomach to the body wall.
Post-Surgical Care
After surgery, dogs stay in the hospital for close monitoring. This includes watching for complications like infection, heart arrhythmias, or further digestive issues.
Prognosis for Dogs With Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
The prognosis for a dog with GDV depends heavily on how quickly treatment begins. When diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, survival rates are in the 80% and up range. Delayed treatment will ultimately result in severe complications and organ damage.
In many cases, dogs that do not obtain immediate treatment will go into shock and pass away.
“In an emergency, every second counts. Acting fast helps keep our dogs healthy and happy.”
- Dr. Rokas Proscevicius
Final Thoughts
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus is one of the most serious emergencies that can affect our best friends. But with good understanding and quick action, our dogs can have a fighting chance. So, if you ever notice any of the symptoms, be sure to give our vets a call right away.
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