Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) in Dogs

Vocabulary flashcards covering the pathophysiology, clinical signs, emergency first aid, veterinary interventions, complications, and prevention of Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) in dogs.

Gastric Dilatation (Bloat)

The abnormal enlargement or distension of the stomach caused by the accumulation of gas or fluid.

Gastric Volvulus (Gastric Torsion)

The rotation or twisting of the stomach following dilation, which blocks both the oesophageal inlet (cardiac sphincter) and the outlet to the duodenum at the pyloric sphincter, trapping gas and causing pressure to build up.

Cardiac Sphincter

The muscular sphincter at the oesophageal inlet of the stomach that becomes obstructed when the stomach rotates during volvulus.

Pyloric Sphincter

The muscular sphincter at the junction between the stomach and duodenum that becomes obstructed during gastric volvulus, preventing contents from exiting the stomach.

Flank Watching

A behavioral sign of discomfort exhibited by dogs with GDV, characterized by the animal repeatedly looking back towards its flank or abdominal area.

Clinical Signs of GDV

Symptoms of gastric dilatation volvulus, including a drum-tight distended abdomen, restlessness, unproductive retching, discomfort (flank watching), dyspnoea, collapse, shock, and severe pain.

Hypovolaemic Shock (in GDV)

Shock resulting from extreme stomach distension exerting pressure on the Hepatic Portal vein and Caudal Vena Cava, significantly decreasing venous blood return to the heart.

Gastric Wall Necrosis

Death of the stomach tissue resulting from compromised local blood supply during progressive gastric volvulus.

Endotoxaemia

The leakage of toxins from necrotic gastric wall tissue into the canine bloodstream during advanced GDV.

Causes of GDV Mortality

Life-threatening complications responsible for rapidly fatal outcomes in untreated GDV: Hypovolaemic shock, Gastric Wall Necrosis, and Ventricular Dysrhythmias.

Gastric Decompression (Stomach Tubing)

A procedure where a stomach tube is measured, marked against the dog, and gently passed through the oropharynx into the stomach to evacuate gas and contents and perform a warm saline gastric lavage.

Gastrocentesis

An emergency decompression technique used when a stomach tube cannot pass, involving the introduction of a $16\text{ gauge}$ needle into the left flank wall just behind the ribs to pierce the stomach and release trapped gas.

Oesophageal Rupture

A potential complication of stomach tubing that occurs if the tube is forced while the stomach is twisted.

Cardiac Overload / Cardiac Failure

A fatal complication caused by releasing gastric gas too rapidly, causing pooled blood in the posterior vena cava to suddenly rush into and overwhelm the heart.

Gastropexy

Surgical procedure performed by a vet to anchor the stomach to the abdominal wall in order to prevent future reoccurrence of GDV.

GDV Anatomical and Temperament Predispositions

Patient characteristics associated with higher GDV risk, including large dogs with deep narrow chests, middle-aged to older dogs, and dogs with nervous temperaments.

GDV Dietary and Exercise Prevention Rules

Management recommendations to prevent bloat: feed at least twice daily, exercise at least $1\text{ hour}$ prior to feeding, and wait a minimum of $1\text{ hour}$ after feeding before exercising.