A gastric torsion in your dog

Symptoms of a gastric torsion

It is very important that you quickly recognize a gastric torsion in your dog. A dog with a gastric torsion can be identified by a swollen and hard abdomen (especially on the left side, just behind the ribs). In addition, the dog will try to vomit without anything coming up (dry retching), drool a lot, and become lethargic. A gastric torsion is very painful for the dog. Pain symptoms such as whining or howling, rapid breathing, and adopting a tense posture are also part of the symptoms of a gastric torsion.

Treatment of a gastric torsion

A gastric torsion is a life-threatening situation and is always an emergency! Therefore, contact the veterinarian immediately if you recognize the symptoms in your dog.

The treatment of a gastric torsion always starts with stabilizing the dog. This is done by, for example, administering oxygen and raising blood pressure with medication. Next, it is important to relieve the pressure from the stomach. This is done by inserting a tube into the esophagus or by releasing gas from the stomach with a thick needle. In most cases, surgery is necessary. During this surgery, the stomach is rotated back to its normal position and attached to the abdominal wall. This is called gastropexy. This reduces the dog's chance of developing another gastric torsion. A dog that has had a gastric torsion once has about an 80% chance of getting it again.

How can you prevent a gastric torsion in dogs?

There is much speculation about whether the type of food (kibble (pressed or extruded), canned food, or fresh meat) influences the development of a gastric torsion. However, these recommendations are not scientifically proven. Unfortunately, the chance of a dog developing a gastric torsion can never be completely prevented. However, there are some things you can consider to reduce the risk of developing a gastric torsion:

• Adjust the kibble size of the food to the size of the dog. This encourages the dog to chew the kibble well and eat more slowly.
• Avoid activity 1 hour before and 2 hours after eating. So do not walk the dog after eating and do not give him his full bowl right after a walk.
• Give several small meals per day instead of one or two large meals.
• If the dog gulps down food, get an anti-gulping bowl so the dog eats more calmly and swallows less air during eating.

Besides feeding the dog properly, it is also advised not to breed from parent dogs that have previously had a gastric torsion. Genetic predisposition is an important factor in whether a dog might develop a gastric torsion or not.

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