Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus

Question 1

which dogs are at greatest risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus?

Answer 1

large breed, deep-chested dogs

Question 2

what happens in gastric dilatation-volvulus?

Answer 2

stomach fills with air and rotates on its axis, cutting off blood supply and ability for air to leave stomach
stomach continues to enlarge, worsening obstruction
areas of stomach may die, spleen may be damaged as well

Question 3

how can you recognize GDV?

Answer 3

restless, unproductive attempts to retch/vomit
reluctance to settle
nausea/drooling
distended abdomen

Question 4

how can you confirm diagnosis of GDV?

Answer 4

enlarged spleen
right lateral radiograph

Question 5

what is a gas bloat like?

Answer 5

gas filled stomach
no obstruction
distinguish from 360 degree volvulus
upper airway obstruction/swallowing

Question 6

what should you do for food bloat?

Answer 6

supportive care
maybe fluids/pain medications
walk frequently
free choice water

Question 7

what should you consider with gas bloat?

Answer 7

major warning sign for future GDV

Question 8

does duration of torsion influence outcome?

Answer 8

maybe

Question 9

what are the goals for GDV surgery?

Answer 9

reposition stomach
assess for necrotic areas of stomach
evaluate spleen
evaluate other organs
perform gastropexy to prevent reoccurrence

Question 10

is there proven causation between eating habits and GDV?

Answer 10

no

Question 11

what effect does nervousness/stress have with chances of GDV?

Answer 11

anxious dogs have higher risks
boarding/unfamiliar locations may be riskier

Question 12

what is the most effective treatment for prevention of GDV for the individual dog?

Answer 12

preventative gastropexy

Question 13

what percentage of dogs with gastric-dilatation-volvulus die despite treatment?

Answer 13

20-30%

Question 14

does being a first-order relative to a dog with gastric-dilatation-volvulus increase the risk?

Answer 14

yes

Question 15

how can you recognize GDV?

Answer 15

restless, unproductive attempts to retch/vomit
reluctance to settle
nausea/drooling
distended abdomen

Question 16

from which legs should you volume resuscitate for GDV?

Answer 16

front legs

Question 17

what conditions have similar signs to GDV?

Answer 17

food bloat
gas bloat
esophageal foreign body
ascites

Question 18

how should you treat gas bloat?

Answer 18

decompress the stomach

Question 19

what are the most common esophageal foreign bodies?

Answer 19

bones

Question 20

which breeds usually have esophageal foreign bodies?

Answer 20

terriers

Question 21

what can cause ascites/free fluid in abdomen?

Answer 21

congestive heart failure- dobermans
cancer/hemorrhage

Question 22

what are the potential findings at surgery for a GDV?

Answer 22

gastric necrosis
splenic thrombosis
other: mass, foreign bodies

Question 23

how long does recovery from GDV surgery typically take?

Answer 23

2 weeks

Question 24

how can you use feeding to prevent GDV?

Answer 24

maybe large food size
no causation: frequency of meals, exercise after eating (?), feeding from height

Question 25

is exercise good or bad for preventing GDV?

Answer 25

maybe good: promote GI motility

Question 26

does preventative gastropexy prevent gas distension?

Answer 26

no

Question 27

what is the most effective technique for prevention of GDV in the individual dog?

Answer 27

preventative gastropexy

Question 28

is lactate useful for predicting GDV surgery success for individual dogs?

Answer 28

no: more useful to see if it falls after fluids than how high it is to start
higher: more commonly associated with gastric necrosis and subsequent death in groups of dogs