This rightly feared condition is always an emergency. If suspicious symptoms are present, the affected dog should be taken to a veterinary clinic immediately, as it can quickly lead to death if left untreated. A twisted stomach can affect all dogs, but it is more common in medium to large breeds with deep chests.
The exact causes of gastric torsion are still unclear. In many cases, owners report that their dog ate a lot and then exercised vigorously. However, gastric torsion also occurs in dogs that are fasting or behave very calmly after eating. Dogs older than five years are more susceptible than younger dogs. Dogs that have suffered from gastric torsion once are at a significantly higher risk of suffering from it again if the stomach is not fixed to the abdominal wall during surgery. According to the current state of research, it is therefore a multifactorial event.
The first signs of this acute condition are usually nonspecific. At first, there is only increased gas formation, causing the stomach to expand. The dog suddenly becomes restless, usually after a period of rest, and starts running back and forth. Since the stomach is only loosely suspended between the esophagus and the small intestine, it can now rotate around its own axis when filled with gas. The spleen and pancreas are pulled along and the entrance and exit of the stomach, including the blood vessels located there, are constricted. Digestive gases can no longer escape and the blood supply is interrupted, leading to circulatory problems. The stomach continues to swell, the tissue threatens to die and the surrounding organs are also severely strained by the pressure of the stomach. The dog's breathing becomes significantly more difficult, it arches its back, salivates, and tries to vomit. However, due to the twisted stomach entrance, these attempts are unsuccessful. The increasingly distended and tense abdomen is noticeable. If the dog is not taken to a veterinary clinic and treated immediately at this stage, there is a risk of fatal shock.
The main symptoms are summarized below. If your dog shows one or more of these symptoms, do not hesitate to take it to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible:
The symptoms of this disease are so characteristic that a preliminary diagnosis can usually be made by the veterinarian over the phone. This suspicion can then be quickly confirmed at the clinic through a general examination and X-ray of the abdominal cavity.
If the dog is brought to the veterinary clinic in the early stages of the disease and before the stomach has completely twisted, pressure relief can be provided in rare cases using a stomach tube. However, this does not eliminate the risk of the stomach twisting again.
In all other cases, gastric torsion can only be corrected by immediate surgical intervention. To do this, the dog is put under general anesthesia, the stomach is emptied, and then put back in the right position. A lot of surgeons then sew part of the stomach to the abdominal wall to stop it from twisting again. While the surgery is happening, the dog's circulation is stabilized with the right meds and fluids.
After a successful operation and a period of fasting, feeding is carefully resumed with small portions of stomach-friendly food.
If left untreated, gastric torsion almost always leads to the death of the animal due to circulatory shock. However, even surgery does not guarantee a 100% recovery. Especially in the first 24 hours after surgery, there is still a high risk that the dog will die from the condition. The sooner the dog is operated on, the higher the chances of survival.
As no clear cause for gastric torsion has yet been identified, it is not possible to give specific advice on prevention. Dogs that were fed several small meals and dogs that were not active immediately after feeding have also suffered from gastric torsion.
If the risk of gastric torsion can only be minimized with the known feeding guidelines and a certain amount of stress reduction, it is all the more important for owners to be fully aware of the symptoms of the condition so that they can quickly recognize gastric torsion in an emergency and act appropriately.
Since not every veterinarian offers (emergency) surgery, it is advisable to make a note of the addresses and telephone numbers of several veterinarians and animal clinics in your area that can perform such an operation at any time of the day or night. In an emergency, every minute counts and the journey to the clinic should not take longer than 20 minutes.
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