Large dog + dog with swollen bellywhat does it bring to mind? Exactly that disease. There dilation and torsion of the dog’s stomach it’s one illness greatly feared by dog owners, especially large ones. As owners, it is important to learn to recognize one gastric torsion right from the first symptoms as it is an absolute veterinary emergency: if the dog is not treated immediately, unfortunately it will die within a very short time.
What is meant by dilation and torsion of the stomach in dogs?
The dog’s stomach dilation/torsion complex, also known by the acronym of GDVin practice it consists of a dilation of the stomach associated or not with its rotation on itself (the actual twist). It’s one acute pathologywhich mainly affects i large and giant breed dogs (but not only) and which endangers the lives of dogs. Consider that the mortality rate in treated animals (therefore those in which the problem was noticed from the first retching and which were taken immediately to the vet) it is still 20-45%.
To tell the truth, we don’t know exactly what causes of stomach dilation/torsion. Or rather: we don’t know the causes, but we know what some of the causes are predisposing factors:
Consider that sometimes there is only expansion without torsion. But if there is torsion, there must have been dilation first. Stomach distension is caused byaccumulation of gas and/or liquid in the stomach. At this point, accomplice one spleen enlarged which acts as a flywheel, this is where the twisting begins. The pylorus and duodenum, dragged by the weight of the spleen, move first ventrally and then cranially.
In doing so the pylorus moves to the left, blocking the duodenum. Consider that the stomach can rotate from 90 to 360°, with the spleen moving from the left to the right.
Once the stomach is twisted, gas can no longer escape and continues to accumulate. This dilation causes compression of the other abdominal organs and also a compression of blood vesselswhich causes systemic hypotension and gastrointestinal ischemia. Add this to the fluids lost because they stagnate in the stomach and here we have the development of hypovolemic shock.
All aggravated, then, by the signs of toxic shock that all this causes, of metabolic acidosis and of disseminated intravascular coagulation that derive from it. Do you understand why we said that it is aserious emergency?
All this develops in a very short time. We’re not talking about days or hours, but you will literally see the dog’s belly swell minute after minute, just a short time after the dog starts vomiting.
Dog stomach dilation and torsion: symptoms
There appearance of symptoms of dilation and torsion of the stomach it’s quick. The problem is that many owners don’t realize the speed and severity of the problem. Many alleged emergency phone calls begin with “My dog has been vomiting for three days, I think he has a stomach upset”: no, the dog cannot have stomach upset because it dies within a few hours of it starting. If he has been vomiting for three days he has something else.
Also consider that, often, i Stomach bloating symptoms begin at nightwhen the owner is sleeping and does not realize what is happening. Which explains why many find the dog dead in the morning with a bloated stomach.
These are the symptoms that should make you suspect stomach dilation/torsion:
These symptoms are accompanied by those of hypovolemic shock:
How long after symptoms appear should you go to the vet? Immediately, instantly. This is not one of those situations where you can stall and finish all your daily errands before deciding to go to the vet. The dog dies within a very short time if not treated.
How is it diagnosed?
Briefly: the diagnosis occurs following reporting, anamnesis, clinical examination, x-ray and abdominal ultrasound. Obviously complete blood tests will be done, but in any case it will be necessary to proceed immediately with medical and surgical therapy.
Therapy and remedies in case of dilation of the dog’s stomach
There stomach dilation/torsion therapy involves two phases:
The sooner you intervene after the symptoms appear, the greater the symptoms probability of survival. Consider that among the risk factors that are associated with short-term death in case of GDV there is a duration of symptoms greater than 6 hours before the visit and surgical resolution.
But even once the resolution of the volvulus has passed, the prognosis remains reserved. Very frequent, in fact, complications which can lead to the death of the dog even after the resolution of the torsion, including:
How to prevent stomach dilation/torsion in dogs?
It is not possible to completely exclude that the dog develops stomach dilation/torsion. But you can try reduce risk factors:
Dog with swollen belly: other causes?
Obviously a dog with a swollen belly is not always synonymous with a dog with stomach upset, not even if it is a large dog. Among the main causes of increase in volume of the dog’s belly we have:
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