Everything about gastric torsion (stomach twist) in dogs
Stomach twisting, also known as gastric torsion, is every dog owner's nightmare. It is an extremely painful condition for the dog and, if not treated quickly, can even be fatal. That is why this blog explains everything about stomach twisting in dogs, so you can reduce the risk of gastric torsion in your dog.
What exactly is stomach twisting in a dog?
A dog's stomach lies between the esophagus and the small intestine. When the stomach twists, it rotates around its axis, blocking both the entrance and the exit of the stomach. This means that nothing can enter or leave the stomach. The blood vessels are also compressed, causing the entire body to receive too little oxygen, with serious consequences. Because the stomach is blocked, gases can no longer escape, causing it to swell more and more. As a result, the diaphragm can no longer move properly and breathing becomes weaker. This means even less oxygen is transported through the body, eventually causing tissues and organs to die. You obviously want to prevent this, which is why acting quickly is crucial!
What are the causes of gastric torsion in a dog?
Exactly what can cause gastric torsion is not known. However, it is a fact that gastric torsion mainly occurs in large dog breeds with deep chests. It appears that gastric torsion in dogs may be hereditary, as it occurs much more often in certain breeds than in others. There are also several factors that can increase the risk of gastric torsion in dogs, such as:
- Eating too much food at once
- Eating too quickly or gulping down food
- Exercise shortly after a meal
- Stress
What symptoms can help you recognize stomach twisting in a dog?
We probably do not need to explain how important it is to recognize stomach twisting in a dog quickly. This is the only way to give the dog the best chance of recovering well. That is why we have listed the symptoms of stomach twisting in a dog below:
- Because of the swollen stomach, the dog has a distended abdomen (this is particularly visible on the left side, just behind the ribs)
- Unproductive retching and excessive drooling
- Pale mucous membranes
- Restlessness and seeming distant
- The dog becomes lethargic and goes into shock, possibly with signs of hypothermia
- Abnormal heart rhythms
How is stomach twisting in a dog treated?
As soon as the veterinarian is contacted, they will start treating the stomach twisting as quickly as possible. In this situation, every second counts. The veterinarian will insert an intravenous drip as soon as possible to maintain the dog's blood pressure. The dog will also receive pain relief because the extreme expansion of the stomach is extremely painful and can cause the dog to go into shock. The stomach must therefore be emptied and rotated back into position as quickly as possible. This is done by inserting a tube or puncturing the stomach. Inserting a tube is not always possible, as the esophagus is often also compressed by the twisting. In such cases, the air is released from the stomach by puncturing it. After this, the stomach must be rotated back into position during surgery. Once the stomach is correctly positioned again, the spleen is examined. The spleen is attached to the stomach and has twisted along with it. When the stomach is in its correct position and the other organs have been examined, the stomach is attached to the abdominal wall so that gastric torsion cannot happen again. The lower right side of the stomach is secured to the right abdominal wall.
How can you prevent stomach twisting in a dog?
Unfortunately, stomach twisting can never be prevented completely, but you can significantly reduce the risk of gastric torsion by feeding your dog several small portions a day instead of one or two large portions. It is also important that the dog experiences no stress and does not exert itself around mealtimes. For large dog breeds such as Great Danes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Dobermanns, and other large breeds, it may be worth considering having the stomach surgically attached preventively, for example at the same time as spaying. This can prevent a great deal of trouble.
