Volvulus (stomach) or acute gastric dilatation syndrome in dogs is an acute disease characterized by increased accumulation of gases in the stomach and an increase in abdominal volume.
Gases accumulate in the cavity due to the impossibility of their evacuation through the esophagus or intestines due to the torsion of the organ around its own axis. This condition requires immediate contact.
Causes of volvulus in dogs
A dog's stomach is suspended like a hammock, so unlike humans, dogs have more difficulty releasing gas from their stomach.
Strenuous exercise after feeding or drinking large amounts of water can trigger a chain reaction, leading to gastric volvulus. Factors such as sudden changes in diet and overeating increase the risk of developing this pathology.
Large and giant dog breeds are predisposed to volvulus (Great Danes, St. Bernards, Akitas, Beagles, Weimaraners, Setters, Standard Poodles, Boxers, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Labradors, German Shepherds, Central Asian Shepherds and dogs of similar breeds).
Symptoms of intestinal volvulus (stomach)
Initially, a combination of symptoms develops, including obvious discomfort and restlessness. The animal may ask to go for a walk, but after the first act of urination or defecation, it becomes obvious that the cause of concern has not gone away. As the stomach gets larger, the dog begins to swallow more often, adding more air and saliva to the organ cavity. She may also drink more water, which increases her weight and makes her stomach churn faster.
Most often, a noticeable increase in abdominal volume is observed when there is already a critically large accumulation of gases in the organ cavity. To reduce pressure on the diaphragm, heart and lungs, as well as to make breathing easier, the dog tries to take a sitting or standing position.
The frequency of respiratory movements and contractions of the heart muscle per minute increases, and the breaths themselves become shallow and short. Due to the redistribution of pressure in the vessels, the visible mucous membranes become pale, and the rate of capillary refilling decreases. This condition is also accompanied by increased salivation and gagging. The animal's condition is deteriorating quite quickly.
Diagnosis of intestinal volvulus (stomach) in dogs
As a rule, a veterinarian needs clear clinical signs and X-ray diagnostics to make and confirm a diagnosis. The images will show a pronounced accumulation of a large amount of gas in the stomach cavity, as well as the overlap of loops of the duodenum in the area of its cardiac section.
Treatment of intestinal volvulus (stomach) in dogs
After stomach torsion, the blood supply to the tissues of the organ and its innervation are stopped, which means the cells begin to die, releasing a large amount of toxins into the blood. A general intoxication of the body is created. Owners and veterinarians have only a few hours to promptly accept the animal and provide assistance to it.
The first step after diagnosis is made is to stabilize the animal. An assessment of the general condition is carried out. Vital signs such as the color of visible mucous membranes, heart rate, respiratory rate, capillary refill rate, and blood pressure are measured. Mental status is determined and thermometry is performed. In order to reduce the pressure of the stomach on nearby tissues of the internal organs, several punctures are made with special needles to bleed air.
To adequately correct the volume of circulating blood in the body, intravenous catheters are placed in order to conduct intensive infusion therapy in dosages calculated individually for each dog. The animal must be placed on permanent monitoring of its condition, oxygenation and correction of vital signs.
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Volvulus in a dog occurs when one part of this organ rotates relative to another. Or the entire stomach rotates around a transverse or longitudinal axis.
This is accompanied by severe disorders of homeostasis and acute expansion. Without surgical intervention, the dog dies for this disease.
The causes of this disease are not completely clear. It has only been established that there are a number of factors that provoke this pathology:
- First of all, this is feeding the dog generously only once a day.
- Active games and physical activity immediately after feeding or sudden stress (sharp noise, moving by car) are also very harmful.
- Feeding low-quality food with an unbalanced diet can lead to volvulus.
There is also a breed predisposition. It has been noticed that volvulus most often occurs in large breed dogs:
- St. Bernards,
- Great Danes,
- shepherd dogs,
- bloodhounds,
- dobermans,
- Rottweilers,
- Giant Schnauzers and so on.
The disease can also be provoked by one of the pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract: gastritis, duodenitis, tumors. They interfere with the proper functioning of the stomach.
Symptoms of the disease
The symptoms of volvulus are quite clear.
- The dog's stomach suddenly begins to swell
- she's breathing heavily
- arises .
- the animal weakens, its mucous membranes turn pale, it falls into an unconscious state.
A state of shock occurs due to a strong pain reaction and compression of the arteries and veins of the abdominal cavity. Peripheral vessels narrow, which impairs blood supply to internal organs. The greatly enlarged stomach puts pressure on the diaphragm and severe respiratory failure occurs. Arrhythmias often occur as complications of the heart.
Treatment of volvulus in dogs
The diagnosis is established with help and the only chance to save the dog is surgery. However, it is preceded by other mandatory manipulations. Shock and circulatory disorders are a very serious concomitant problem with volvulus in dogs.
To solve it, infusion therapy is carried out, steroid hormones and analgesics are administered, sedation is performed and the animal is injected with antispasmodics and antiemetic drugs. During the infusion, the stomach is often punctured with a large-diameter needle to reduce pressure in the abdominal cavity and evacuate gas.
After this, a surgical intervention is performed, during which the surgeon unfolds the stomach, installs a tube and evacuates food masses from the stomach. Then the stomach is washed with water. The operation is completed by suturing the stomach to the abdominal wall so that it wraps up again.
If part of the stomach is already dead, it is removed. If the parenchyma is ruptured, the spleen is also removed. After the operation, the dog must be observed in the hospital for two to three days. She is given antibiotics, antiemetics and gastroprotectors and is not fed for at least a day. Parenteral nutrition is sometimes used. Regular treatment of seams is also necessary.
Prevention of volvulus in dogs
In order to reduce the risk of such a dangerous disease, it is necessary to feed the animal in small portions two to three times a day, using. Immediately after feeding, the dog should not be walked, and try to avoid stress factors.
If symptoms of gastric volvulus occur, it is necessary, or better yet, to take the animal to the clinic.
Volvulus in dogs is a fairly common occurrence, especially if we are talking about representatives of large breeds. The reason for the high prevalence of this disease in our four-legged friends is the specific physiology, which assumes a horizontal position of the stomach and its weak fixation. That is why even completely healthy dogs can be threatened by such ailments as volvulus, ascites, peritonitis, etc., requiring surgeons to perform an operation to fix the animal’s stomach. We'll talk about how to recognize volvulus in your pet in time and help him further.
Before we begin to describe methods of treating volvulus, it is important to understand what this pathology is. The intestine itself stretches up to seven and a half meters in length (in some breeds), and is held in its position thanks to special ligaments - mesenteries, which are involved in blood circulation.
If for some reason the mesenteries become overtightened, then this process is accompanied by a circulatory disorder, which results in the gradual death of the compressed intestinal tissue. In the worst case scenario, the dog begins a necrotic process, which can lead to death in the absence of medical assistance.
Types of volvulus
The twist itself suggests two main scenarios:
- the mesenteries twist in such a way that they compress the artery, disrupting the entire circulatory system in the intestinal area. All this leads to the fact that blood flow stops;
- displacement of the lower intestine, which compresses the large intestine.
It should be noted that there are other scenarios for the occurrence of volvulus, depending on which particular organ segment is “under attack.” It doesn’t make much sense to list all these scenarios, since they all have common symptoms, and finding out who causes the bloat is already the task of the veterinarian.
Intestinal volvulus also leads to gastric volvulus, as a result of which the pet’s condition becomes even worse. It should be noted that gastric volvulus is quite rare. The most common cause of a sharp enlargement of the stomach in dogs is excessive gas formation. However, in some cases, gastric volvulus occurs as a result.
Causes of volvulus
Among the factors contributing to intestinal volvulus, you can find different options - from the pressure of the situation on the animal’s psyche to congenital abnormalities. Among the main reasons why this disease is observed in dogs, we note the following:
- abdominal injuries, which can be either obvious (with the appearance of a wound and bleeding) or invisible to the owner (impacts resulting from a fall);
- deterioration in the plasticity of intestinal muscle tissue, observed as a result of hormonal changes in the dog’s body. As a rule, such changes occur in females during pregnancy and breastfeeding. That is why pregnant bitches are at risk for all sorts of ailments associated with the gastrointestinal tract;
- incorrect principles of keeping a dog, in which the owner allows the pet to run, swim or perform other physical activities immediately after eating;
- the dog has a history of untreated gastrointestinal diseases that continue to progress over time. These pathologies can be congenital or infectious in nature, or represent malignant neoplasms;
- congenital anomalies, as a result of which the mesentery initially developed in an abnormal way. It is important for owners of such animals to especially closely monitor their diet and physical activity;
- incorrect feeding system. Normally, an adult dog should eat food twice a day - morning and evening. If the number of meals increases or decreases, then this order sooner or later leads to disruptions in the digestive system, which can result in both gastritis and volvulus - depending on the characteristics of the pet’s body;
Economy class food gradually “wears out” the dog’s digestive system
- genetic predisposition. Experts have repeatedly noted that in puppies born from parents who suffered from volvulus, this disease manifests itself more often than in puppies born from otherwise healthy dogs;
- mental instability. In some pets, volvulus may develop in the absence of objective physiological prerequisites, being a psychosomatic “response” to an unpleasant situation. Such a situation could be a change of owner, moving, and so on;
- breed affiliation. Statistics show that representatives of large breeds end up in veterinary clinics with a diagnosis of “volvulus” much more often than their decorative counterparts.
If we summarize all of the above, we can conclude that volvulus can occur as a result of the influence of two prerequisites:
- factors caused by nature: divided into constitutional (inherent to the pet from birth) and physiological (consisting of previously experienced diseases);
- factors that arose due to mistakes made by the owners. As already mentioned, unreliably fixed mesenteries can become displaced even in a completely healthy dog under certain developments.
Features of the breed constitution
Owners of large breed dogs may have a natural question: why are large pets at risk? To begin with, it should be clarified that the risk group mainly includes those breeds that have a deep chest. Among these breeds are:
- Labrador;
- Shepherd;
- Doberman;
- Saint Bernard;
- Irish Setter;
- Bullmastiff.
In general, the risk of volvulus is proportional to the animal's weight gain. Miniature breeds are less susceptible to weakening of the ligaments that “hold” the intestines and their subsequent stretching. If the ligaments of a large dog are in a relaxed state and the stomach is full, then any careless movement can have serious consequences. (Large individuals are considered to be those whose weight exceeds 30-40 kilograms).
Symptoms of volvulus
Volvulus is not one of the hidden diseases that are recognized months or even years after its onset. This disease always occurs in an acute form and involves severe suffering for the dog, which in one way or another demonstrates it. Of course, an owner who does not have specific knowledge in veterinary medicine may not recognize the pathology itself, but he can easily understand that his pet is not in order.
We will talk about common manifestations characteristic of dogs with volvulus in this chapter.
Swelling of the abdomen
The pet's belly becomes unnaturally large and at the same time very painful. The animal can react sharply and aggressively to the owner’s attempts to touch it. The abdominal wall feels hard and stretched to the touch. All these manifestations indicate that the dog’s intestines have become inflamed and grown in size.
External signs of pain
Even at the first glance at your pet, it becomes obvious that he is in pain. These intense sensations can be recognized by the dog's posture - when the intestines are twisted, it is difficult for the pet to be in a standing position, its paws may tremble.
When the dog lies down, the tension remains in the fingers, and the hind limbs are unnaturally extended. Also, pets with volvulus often strive to constantly change the position of their body, toss and turn, cannot find a comfortable position, which is why they seem very restless.
Some animals experience pain attacks in a passive state. From the outside it may seem to the owner that his dog has become overly apathetic and sad. However, this behavior is a defensive reaction of the body trying to overcome pain shock.
Vomiting attacks
The gag reflex is triggered in most dogs with volvulus, but it is not always productive. In cases where the upper segments of the stomach are constricted, vomit simply cannot escape through the esophagus and remains in the stomach, irritating it even more.
Under other circumstances, the dog, on the contrary, begins to choke with constant bouts of vomiting, and foam can often be found in the vomit itself. Sometimes vomiting may occur only in foam without inclusions of undigested food. The composition of the vomit depends on which part of the intestine is twisted.
Lack of oxygen
Due to the sharp enlargement of the stomach, this organ begins to put pressure on the diaphragm and lungs, which from now on cannot fully function and are in a compressed state. Because of this, the dog experiences shortness of breath and intermittent breathing. Sometimes it may seem that the pet has stopped breathing altogether, but after a while he takes several inhalations and exhalations with effort.
As a result of a lack of oxygen, your dog may exhibit typical symptoms of anemia, such as blue mucous membranes. In addition, your pet’s temperature may drop, which will be accompanied by weakness and even possible loss of consciousness. However, a decrease in temperature is not a reliable criterion; in some cases it rises.
Stool disorders
As a result of volvulus, the position of the intestines is changed, which is why the stool encounters obvious obstacles when trying to leave the body. This feature makes it possible to separate volvulus from other somewhat similar conditions accompanied by diarrhea.
Video - How to recognize volvulus in a dog
First aid for a dog
I would like to start with the fact that when there is a volvulus, the owner cannot help his pet with practically anything - his main function is to transport the dog to the veterinary clinic. The only thing a person can do is use an anesthetic injection, but only if he has dealt with injections before and knows how to calculate doses.
It is important to remember that not all types of pain medications are suitable for dogs that are suitable for humans. On the contrary, only certain groups of analgesics can affect a pet’s body without causing intoxication. You can read about the most popular pain relievers for dogs below.
Drugs that an animal owner should never use are listed in the table below.
Table 1. Drugs unsuitable for volvulus in dogs
Examination by a veterinarian
Since volvulus is a disease that occurs very quickly, veterinarians do not have time to conduct a detailed examination of the dog. The specialist counts every minute and he cannot risk the life of the pet. All the veterinarian does is interview the animal’s owner regarding the dog’s painful manifestations and its condition in recent days.
If you suspect a volvulus, the pet owner should prepare himself in advance for the need for surgery. Any pills or injections are powerless against this diagnosis. The only thing that can save a pet in this situation is piercing the stomach and emptying it, which will help avoid the occurrence of sepsis and necrosis.
The most important thing for a specialist in the diagnostic process is to distinguish between two similar pathologies:
- volvulus;
- expansion of the stomach.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the veterinarian proceeds as follows:
- prescribes probing. When the stomach expands, the probe easily penetrates the organ, allowing the dog to get rid of excess gases accumulated in it. Successful completion of this procedure indicates that the pet's enlargement has been identified and successfully treated;
- determines the success of the procedure. If the probe does not pass, then the specialist has no reason to suspect intestinal volvulus, which compresses the stomach and blocks the path along which the tube could pass;
- If the probing fails, the specialist takes an x-ray of the pet, based on the results of which the operation is performed.
Treatment
Before taking a dog for surgery, the veterinarian must perform several preliminary procedures to prepare the dog for surgery. These procedures include:
- administering antiemetic drugs to the pet so that it does not suffocate in its own vomit during the process of immersion in anesthesia or during surgery;
- administration of steroid hormones;
- introduction of painkillers and antispasmodics that will protect the pet from painful shock.
All of these drugs are administered to the animal subcutaneously by injection.
Upon completion of all these manipulations, the veterinarian puts the pet under anesthesia and begins the operation.
Carrying out the operation
Preventing the dangerous consequences of intestinal volvulus is carried out in several stages:
- a small incision is made in a certain area of the abdominal wall, into which a special needle is inserted, with the help of which excess gas that interferes with the operation is removed from the abdominal cavity;
- the surgeon examines the organ and moves it so that it takes its natural position;
- repeated probing is carried out, which initially did not give results. However, the probe can now penetrate deeper because the bowel has been successfully “reduced.” With the help of a probe, the stomach and intestines are emptied and cleared of the remnants of their stagnant contents;
- dead tissue is removed (if any);
- the abdominal cavity is washed with special antiseptic agents to prevent the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria;
- the pet's stomach is attached to the abdominal wall and fixed to prevent recurrent bloat;
- the surgeon sutures the abdominal cavity and completes the operation.
After operation
The rehabilitation period requires the pet to remain in the hospital for several days. The duration of rehabilitation depends on the condition in which the animal was taken to the veterinary clinic and the degree of complexity of the operation performed. On average, it takes two to five days for a dog to recover.
The need to temporarily leave the pet within the clinic is explained by the fact that in the first days the optimal condition of the dog is maintained with the help of droppers and various saline solutions. At home, the owner will not be able to provide his dog with the care that the experienced volvulus requires. Among the drugs that will be injected into the animal are the same antispasmodics, analgesics, and antiemetics that we have already discussed above.
Video - Caring for sutures in a dog after surgery
Forecast
The success of the operation largely depends on the speed of the dog’s owner’s reaction. The sooner the pet is brought to the surgical table, the higher the likelihood of a successful operation. With timely treatment (several hours after the onset of symptoms), there is a high probability of a complete recovery of the animal.
Among the complications that can overtake a dog if he has been with a twisted intestine for a long time is tissue necrosis. If there are areas affected by the necrotic process, the surgeon must remove them. Necrosis can affect not only the stomach, but also the spleen, and in severe cases, other organs. Accordingly, the dog’s recovery rate will depend on the amount of dead tissue.
Prevention
Since a significant proportion of diagnoses associated with volvulus are not due to problems with the dog’s internal organs, but to improper maintenance, it is useful for every owner to become familiar with preventive measures against this disease. It often happens that a person practices a rhythm of life that is completely unhelpful for a dog for years, and then is surprised at the health complications that arise in his pet.
To avoid such serious surprises as volvulus, you must follow these rules:
- The dog is fed twice a day: morning and evening. All meals take place strictly after the walk, and not before it. This allows the dog not only to maintain its gastrointestinal tract, but also to work up a good appetite. If the circumstances are such that feeding occurs before the walk, you must wait an hour after eating;
- For dry food, it is necessary to select options from quality manufacturers of at least premium class. Prolonged feeding of a dog with low-quality food can lead to various negative consequences - from weight gain and tooth decay to volvulus and stomach ulcers;
- The pet must visit a veterinarian at least twice a year. Many gastrointestinal diseases tend to occur unnoticed by the animal owner, thereby gradually preparing the “soil” for more severe pathologies and complications. A healthy, albeit large animal, has much less “chance” of encountering this disease;
- physical activity of pregnant females should be normalized. In dogs expecting puppies, the digestive organs are partly compressed by the uterus and are initially in an irritated state. In order not to aggravate the situation, it is important to monitor such animals and under no circumstances play games with them that involve physical activity. This approach can lead not only to intestinal volvulus, but also to twisting of the uterus.
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