Vet's Corner - with Dr. Kelly

By Dr. Kelly Wasylciw, Veterinary Services

Photo courtesy of Dr. Kelly

Most large breed dog owners have heard of something called GDV and know it is quite scary, but do you know what actually happens in your dog?

There are two different events that happen during a gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV). First a gastric dilation (GD) needs to occur. Gastric dilation means that the stomach is filled up with gas and becomes quite distended and ‘bloated’, which can be all that actually happens in some cases. This is still quite painful for a dog and can cause them to appear sore, stand with their legs quite far apart. Picture a dog standing with its front and back feet more like a rocking horse. Or it could lead to vomiting and dry retching. If this is all that occurs, and if the dog is taken to a veterinarian promptly, the air can be let out of the stomach and can help them feel better quite quickly. This can be done without surgery, which is great news for dog owners!

The second more scary part that can occur is when the air-filled stomach twists on itself and causes what is called a volvulus (V). The twist occurs around the blood vessels which are supplying the stomach as well as part of the small intestine with blood and becomes an emergency because part of the abdomen doesn’t have normal blood supply. This can become fatal quickly!

In order to correct a full GDV, surgery is needed. The stomach is untwisted and then the gas is released from the stomach and everything in the abdomen is checked to ensure that nothing else has happened because of the twist in the blood vessels.

Along with untwisting the stomach and checking the rest of the abdomen, the veterinarian will do one last very important procedure called a ‘gastropexy’. The common layman’s term for a gastropexy is ‘tacking the stomach’. This means that the veterinarian will actually take the stomach and attach it to the inside wall of the abdomen using sutures. This will help ensure that a dog’s stomach, even if they become bloated again, cannot twist and cause another emergency situation for that dog.

This procedure of attaching the stomach to the inside wall of the abdomen of a dog can be done before they ever have any problems, as an attempt to prevent an occurrence in their lifetime. A gastropexy is mostly done in large breed dogs that have deep chests. Great Danes, Standard Poodles and German Shepherds are some of the most ‘at risk’ dog breeds because of their genetics. However, genetics are not the only factor for a dog having a GD or a GDV and while we know it is more common in these larger breed dogs, it doesn’t mean that they are the only ones at risk. Sadly, all the factors that can cause and contribute to a GDV occurring are not known.

One of the best tips I can give to owners is to watch how active their dogs are right after having a meal or drinking a lot of water. Owners should let their dogs have a break after this occurs and before doing a lot of activity. Sometimes having meals that are too big all at once or eating too quickly can be other contributing factors that can lead to a GD or GDV.

There are many other factors that cause an increased risk for a GDV occurring. If you have more questions about what they are I would encourage you to talk to your veterinarian and figure out the best plan of action to prevent a GDV.

Viking, Dr. Kelly's Great Dane

Photo courtesy of Dr. Kelly