How to rescue a dog if it has a volvulus (including first aid). Causes and symptoms of volvulus in dogs, what happens and how to treat Volvulus in dogs symptoms causes treatment

Volvulus in dogs is quite common, especially when we are talking about representatives of large breeds. The reason for the high prevalence of this ailment among our four-legged friends is the specificity of physiology, which suggests a horizontal position of the stomach and its weak fixation. That is why even perfectly healthy dogs can be threatened by such ailments as bloat, ascites, peritonitis, etc., requiring surgeons to perform an operation in order to fix the animal's stomach. We will tell you how to recognize volvulus in your pet in time and help him.

Before proceeding to describe the methods of treating volvulus, it is important to understand what this pathology is. By itself, the intestine stretches up to seven and a half meters in length (in some breeds), and is held in its position thanks to special ligaments - the mesentery, which are involved in blood circulation.

If the mesentery for some reason is pulled over, then this process is accompanied by circulatory disorders, the result of which is the gradual death of the squeezed intestinal tissue. In the least favorable circumstances, the dog begins a necrotic process, which can be fatal in the absence of medical attention.

Types of volvulus

By itself, the bloat suggests two main options for the development of events:

• the mesentery is twisted in such a way that it squeezes the artery, disrupting the entire circulatory system in the intestinal region. All this leads to the fact that the blood flow stops;
• displacement of the lower part of the intestine, as a result of which the large intestine is compressed.

It should be noted that there are other scenarios for the course of volvulus, depending on which segment of the organ was "under attack". It does not make much sense to list all these scenarios, since they all have common symptoms, and figuring out the bloat workers is already the task of the veterinarian.

Volvulus also leads to a volvulus of the stomach, as a result of which the pet's condition becomes even worse. It should be noted that gastric volvulus is rare. The most common cause of a sharp increase in the stomach in dogs is excessive gas production. However, in some cases, gastric volvulus appears 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 psyche of the animal to congenital abnormalities. Among the main reasons why this ailment is observed in dogs, we note the following:

• trauma to the abdominal cavity, which can be both obvious (with the appearance of a wound and bleeding) and invisible to the owner (blows as a result of a fall);

  

• deterioration of the plasticity of the intestinal muscle tissue, observed as a result of hormonal changes in the dog's body. As a rule, such changes take place in females during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding. That is why pregnant bitches are at risk for all sorts of ailments associated with the work of the digestive 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, which continue to progress over time. These pathologies can be of a congenital or infectious nature, or represent malignant neoplasms;

  

• congenital anomalies, as a result of which the mesentery initially developed in the wrong way. It is important for the owners of such animals to carefully monitor their diet and physical activity;
• wrong feeding system. Normally, an adult dog should eat twice a day - morning and evening. If the number of meals increases or decreases, then such an order sooner or later leads to malfunctions 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 "wear out" the digestive system of the dog

• genetic predisposition. Experts have repeatedly noted that in puppies from parents who suffered from volvulus, this ailment manifests itself more often than in puppies born from dogs that are healthy in this regard;
• mental instability. In some pets, volvulus can develop in the absence of objective physiological prerequisites, being a psychosomatic "response" to an unpleasant situation. Such a situation can be a change of owner, a move, 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 breeds.

  

Summarizing all of the above, we can conclude that volvulus can occur as a result of two prerequisites:

• factors due to nature: divided into constitutional (inherent in a pet from birth) and physiological (consisting of previously experienced diseases);
• factors arising from mistakes made by the owners. As already mentioned, unreliable mesentery can be displaced even in a perfectly healthy dog \u200b\u200bwith a certain development of events.

Features of the breed constitution

Owners of large breed dogs may have a natural question - why exactly large-sized pets are at risk? To begin with, it should be clarified that the risk group includes mostly those breeds that have deep breasts. These breeds include:

• Labrador;
• Sheepdog;
• Doberman;
• St. Bernard;
• Irish Setter;
• Bullmastiff.

In general, the risk of volvulus is proportional to the weight gain of the animal. Miniature breeds are less susceptible to the weakening of the ligaments "holding back" 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 inaccurate movement can lead to serious consequences. (Those individuals are considered large, whose weight exceeds the mark of 30-40 kilograms).

Volvulus symptoms

Volvulus is not one of the hidden diseases that are recognized months or even years after their onset. This ailment always proceeds in an acute form and presupposes severe torment for the dog, which in one way or another demonstrates them. Of course, the owner, who does not have certain knowledge in veterinary medicine, may not recognize the pathology itself, but understand that his pet is not in order can easily.

We will talk about the common manifestations characteristic of dogs with volvulus in this chapter.

Swelling of the abdomen

The pet's abdomen becomes unnaturally large and at the same time very painful. The animal can react sharply and aggressively to the attempts of the owner to touch it. The abdominal wall is firm and taut to the touch. All these manifestations indicate that the dog's intestines have become inflamed and grown in size.

Outward signs of pain

Even at the first glance at the pet, it becomes obvious that he is in pain. It is possible to recognize these intense sensations by the dog's posture - when the intestines are inverted, it is difficult for the pet to stand in a standing position, its paws can tremble.

When the dog lies down, tension is maintained in the toes, and the hind limbs are stretched unnaturally. 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, the owner may think that his dog has become overly apathetic, sad. However, this behavior is a defense reaction of the body trying to overcome the painful shock.

Vomiting attacks

The gag reflex works in most dogs with volvulus, but it is not always productive. In cases where the upper segments of the stomach are overstretched, the vomit simply cannot escape through the esophagus and remain in the stomach, further irritating it.

Under other circumstances, the dog, on the contrary, begins to choke with constant bouts of vomiting, and in the vomit itself, foam can often be found. Sometimes vomiting can occur only with foam without impregnations of undigested food. The composition of the vomit depends on which part of the intestine was twisted.

Lack of oxygen

Due to a sharp increase in 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 shortness of breath. Sometimes it may seem that the pet has completely stopped breathing, but after a while he makes several breaths and exhales with effort.

As a result of a lack of oxygen, the dog may show typical symptoms of anemia, such as blue discoloration of the mucous membranes. In addition, the 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, because of which the feces run into obvious obstacles when trying to leave the body. This feature makes it possible to separate the 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 during volvulus, the owner cannot help his pet with practically nothing - its main function is to move the dog to the veterinary clinic. The only thing a person can do is to use an anesthetic injection, but only if he has previously dealt with injections and knows how to calculate doses.

It is important to remember that not all types of pain relievers that are suitable for humans are suitable for dogs. On the contrary, only certain groups of analgesics that do not cause intoxication can affect the pet's body. Read about the most popular pain relievers for dogs below.

Drugs that the owner of the animal should never use are listed in the table below.

Table 1. Drugs not suitable for volvulus in dogs

Examination by a veterinarian

Since volvulus is a very rapid ailment, veterinarians do not have time for a detailed examination of the dog. The specialist counts every minute and he cannot risk the pet's life. All the veterinarian does is ask the owner of the animal about the dog's painful manifestations and its condition in recent days.

If volvulus is suspected, 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 the pet in this situation is the piercing of the stomach and its emptying, which will help to 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:

1. assigns probing. When the stomach expands, the probe easily penetrates the organ, allowing the dog to get rid of the excess gases accumulated in it. Successful completion of this procedure indicates that the extension was found and successfully eliminated in the pet;
2. determines the success of the procedure. If the probe does not pass, then the specialist has no reason to suspect volvulus, which compresses the stomach and blocks the path through which the tube could pass;
3. if the sounding fails, the specialist makes an x-ray to the pet, according to the results of which the operation is performed.

Treatment

Before taking your dog for surgery, the veterinarian must complete several preliminary procedures to prepare the dog for surgery. These procedures include:

• the introduction of antiemetic drugs to the pet so that he does not suffocate in his own vomit during immersion in anesthesia or during surgery;
• the introduction of steroid hormones;
• the introduction of anesthetic and antispasmodic drugs that will protect the pet from pain shock.

All of these drugs are administered to the animal subcutaneously by injection.

Upon completion of all these manipulations, the veterinarian enters the pet into a state of anesthesia and proceeds to the operation.

Operation

Prevention of the dangerous consequences of intestinal volvulus is carried out in several stages:

• a small incision is made in a certain area of \u200b\u200bthe abdominal wall, into which a special needle is inserted, with the help of which excess gas is removed from the abdominal cavity, which interferes with the operation;
• the surgeon examines the organ and moves it so that it takes its natural position;
• repeated probing is carried out, initially without results. However, the probe can now penetrate deeper, since the intestines have been successfully "set". 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 avoid the growth of pathogenic bacteria;
• the pet's stomach is attached to the abdominal wall and fixed to avoid re-volvulus;
• the surgeon sutures the abdominal cavity and completes the operation.

After operation

The rehabilitation period involves the mandatory presence of a pet on the territory of the hospital for several days. The duration of rehabilitation depends on the condition in which the animal was delivered to the veterinary clinic and on the degree of complexity of the operation performed. On average, it takes a dog two to five days to recover.

The need to temporarily leave the pet within the clinic is explained by the fact that the first days of maintaining the optimal condition of the dog is carried out 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, there are all the same antispasmodics, analgesics, antiemetics, which we have already mentioned above.

Video - Caring for the sutures of the dog after surgery

Forecast

The success of the operation largely depends on the reaction rate of the owner of the dog. The sooner the pet is delivered to the surgical table, the higher the probability of a successful operation. With timely treatment (several hours after the onset of symptoms), the probability of a complete recovery of the animal is high.

Among the complications that can overtake the dog, if he has been with a twisted intestine long enough, is tissue necrosis. In the presence of 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 rate of recovery of the dog 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 internal organs of the dog, but to its incorrect content, it is useful for every owner to get acquainted with preventive measures against this ailment. It often happens that a person has been practicing a rhythm of life that is completely unsuitable for a dog for years, and then wonders about the emerging health complications of his pet.

To avoid such serious surprises as volvulus, the following rules must be followed:

• the dog is fed twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. All meals take place strictly after the walk, not before it. This allows the dog to not only maintain its gastrointestinal tract, but also work up a good appetite. If the circumstances are such that feeding occurs before the walk, you must wait an hour after eating;

  

• as a dry food, it is necessary to select options from quality manufacturers of at least premium class. Long-term 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 the veterinarian at least twice a year. Many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract tend to proceed unnoticed by the owner of the animal, thereby gradually preparing the "soil" for more severe pathologies and complications. A healthy, albeit large animal, has much less "chances" to meet this ailment;

  

• the 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 in no case play with them in games that involve physical activity. This approach can lead not only to volvulus, but also to twisting of the uterus.

Gastric volvulus is a mechanical torsion, which very quickly gives complications, and if medical assistance is not provided within 2-4 hours after the first signs appear, the animal will die. We will describe in detail the symptoms, causes and methods of first aid below.

The essence of the disease is that the dog's stomach expands from gas, and then twists, touching other organs. This already leads to disruption of blood supply throughout the body and death. What causes volvulus of the intestines, stomach? The causes of the syndrome can be divided into two main groups:

• natural factors;
• and those that arise through the negligence of the owners.

In the first case, we are talking about the reasons, which in veterinary medicine are divided into:

• constitutional (predisposition to volvulus, depending on the structure of the dog's body - large breeds at risk);
• physiological (in a dog, gastrointestinal tract pathologies that contribute to the development of volvulus are gastritis, a tumor or an ulcer).

Negligence reasons are situations where the owners do not follow and:

• give the animal food only once a day, and the portion is large;
• give low quality feed, from which multiple fermentation processes develop, easily leading to bloat;
• admit physical activity (walks, games, training) shortly before or immediately after feeding;
• admit sudden stress (the same car trip) after eating.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of bloating in a dog will be as follows:

• the urge to vomit and sharp, spasmodic pain, at the same time, the animal cannot stand, and when it lies, it keeps its hind legs in an extended position, the fingers are tense;
• the stomach is swollen - it is felt if the dogs feel it;
• temperature rises sharply up to 40-41 degrees;
• arises shortness of breath and increased salivation;
• mucous membranes acquire a bluish tint;
• is developing tachycardia.

These symptoms can appear and disappear in a chaotic manner, they are not considered necessary.

Volvulus in a dog's stomach: symptoms that are mandatory:

• the belly swells up in a matter of minutes to a large size, while he is very hard, the dog suffers from spasmodic attacks of pain;
• no bowel movement;
• the dog vomits with foam;
• weakness and lethargy turning into collapse;
• septic shock (inflammatory response).

If there are at least three of the signs listed above, you must immediately go to a veterinary clinic with a surgical department.

A positive outcome is possible if medical assistance is provided in the first hour after the first signs of gastric volvulus appeared. The owners need to remember this well and carefully monitor the condition of the pet.

Treatment

How to treat? To save the animal, it is necessary to return the stomach to its place, clean it, examine the abdominal cavity for dead tissue, and if found, remove it.

Treatment is carried out only as a surgical operation! You cannot cure a pet at home!

How to provide first aid? Relieve the condition of the animal Before going to the vet, you can:

• inject antispasmodic and pain relieving medications (calculate them by the weight of the dog);
• inject drugs that support cardiopulmonary activity;
• perform a stomach puncture, but only if the owner has the competence and experience!

In no case should laxatives or vasoconstrictors be given to a sick animal!

What will the doctor do?If time permits, first of all - an x-ray to determine how much the internal organs are affected. If there is no time, and this often happens, then the operation is performed immediately. During it, the following happens:

• the dog is injected with steroid hormones, antiemetic, antispasmodic and analgesic drugs, general anesthesia;
• a puncture is performed to remove gas and reduce pressure;
• a cavity incision is made, the stomach is turned correctly, a probe is placed;
• food masses are removed from the stomach, washed and sutured to the wall of the peritoneum so that volvulus does not happen again;
• dead tissue is removed.

After the operation, the dog must remain in the hospital for 4 or 5 days. Here she is supported with antibiotics, antiemetics and gastroprotective agents. If necessary, they are fed parenterally, and the stitches are also regularly treated.

Prevention

Measures to prevent gastric volvulus include attentive attitude to the pet, to its diet, to the regime of loads and rest.In order not to be confused with other threats, you need to know the first signs, including deadly ones, such as the owner should:

• feed the animal at least 2-3 times a day in small portions;
• it is better to use dry food, at least premium-class, containing a lot of calcium-rich meat or bone meal, you can add canned food;
• allow the pet to exercise, at least an hour after eating, and if the load was before eating, then you need to feed it not earlier than half an hour;
• closely monitor the health of the gastrointestinal tract and treat emerging diseases in time, including.

In conclusion, one thing can be said: if there is a suspicion of a stomach volvulus, you cannot waste time on panic - you must act decisively. Only the earliest delivery of the dog to the vet will save the dog's life!

Also check out the video on volvulus in dogs:

Infringement of the intestine occurs under the influence of various factors. In dogs, twisting of the intestine around the axis or omentum, twisting of the loops and infringement of them in the hernial sac, inguinal ring, intussusception of one section into another are noted. Causes of volvulus:

• a sharp increase in intra-abdominal pressure;
• internal pain, tenesmus;
• turns around the body.

The pathological process develops due to a sharp violation of blood circulation in the restrained area. Difficulty passing fecal masses in case of obstruction does not play a big role, since its symptoms appear much later - by this time, without the provision of veterinary care, the death of the animal may occur.

Arterial blood continues to flow to the place of infringement, but due to the compression of the veins, its discharge is difficult. Venous blood stasis is formed, turning into tissue edema. Gradually, the plasma begins to leave the vessels, and then, after rupture of the walls, whole blood enters the abdominal cavity.

More often the disease is recorded in large breeds of dogs, but this predisposition is not of a genetic nature, but is associated with physiological characteristics. Predisposing factors include pathologies of the digestive system, accompanied by impaired motor function.

Volvulus symptoms and additional diagnostics

Signs of volvulus in a dog appear suddenly and increase rapidly. The disease manifests itself as an acute attack of abdominal pain. The pet begins to whine, look at the belly (in some cases, it may try to gnaw it), show strong anxiety, and often change places.

Vascular insufficiency develops gradually - venous stasis and blood effusion lead to a decrease in it in the main channel. The surface temperature of the body decreases, the mucous membranes and the skin turn pale. Shortness of breath, rapid breathing is observed. Signs of anxiety and excitement fade away, at a later stage, a coma is noted, accompanied by twitching of the limbs.

You can clarify the diagnosis using instrumental methods. Radiography of the abdominal cavity is best performed with barium contrast - this way the location of the pathology is better visualized. But X-rays cannot accurately determine the condition of the affected organ. For this purpose, other methods are used:

• endoscopy.

Endoscopic examination is effective when volvulus is located at the beginning of the small or end of the large intestine. Ultrasound is a more versatile method. With the help of ultrasound diagnostics, it is possible not only to determine the place of intestinal twisting, but also to assess the condition of the tissues, to reveal the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Computed tomography and magnetic tomography are rarely used due to their inaccessibility and high cost, but these methods allow to qualitatively differentiate the pathology. In urgent cases, they resort to diagnostic laparotomy.

Emergency care and treatment

Medication for a volvulus dog is not effective. In addition, if an incorrect diagnosis is made - an obstructive blockage with feces was suggested, then drug treatment can cause intestinal rupture. Laxatives, oil, enemas and rinsing are strictly prohibited, as the passage of feces is impossible.

The only medicinal help may be relief of abdominal pain. Dogs are given no-shpa, analgin, baralgin. It is also recommended to relieve smooth muscle spasm.

In case of intestinal volvulus, it is necessary to provide surgical assistance to the dog as soon as possible.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The incision of the abdominal wall is carried out along the white line of the abdomen, or stepping back from it to the side by 2-4 cm - this method is accompanied by large bleeding, but the tissues recover faster after the operation. The skin and peritoneum are dissected with a scalpel or scissors, and it is recommended to divide the muscles in a blunt manner.

At an early stage, you can try to restore the configuration of the intestine. For this, the loops are straightened, they are convinced of their integrity and the restoration of local blood flow. If traces of necrosis are not detected and the blood vessels begin to fill up again, the omentum is sutured, the loops are sewn to it to avoid re-twisting.

With necrotic processes, resection of a part of the intestine is indicated. Intestinal contents should be pushed back and clamps applied. The affected area is cut off with a scalpel or scissors. In this case, the incision must be made in an oblique direction, so that when the ends are sewn together, the lumen does not narrow, and the blood supply is not disturbed.

In the large intestine, the ends can be joined by butt-ends, especially for surgery in large dogs. Due to its small size, the small intestine is easier to suture with the side walls, with an additional opening. The intestines are sutured in two rows. First, all layers are connected with knotty sutures, and then the intestine is sutured with a continuous suture through the serous-muscular membrane. It is important not to connect with mucous membranes - due to physiological characteristics, an anastomosis does not form in such a suture.

Antibiotics or antiseptic powders are introduced into the abdominal cavity. The operating wound is sutured, treated with an antiseptic. Dogs are given a general course of antibiotics to prevent complications.

Dogs are prescribed a sparing diet - feeding is excluded on the first day, but the watering is not limited. Then broths, rice broth, flax broth, and other liquid cereals are introduced into the diet. Gradually transfer the pet to the usual feeding, observing its reaction.

Preventive actions

In preventing volvulus, two main points are noted - balanced feeding and proper maintenance. Features of feeding dogs:

• food should be given at least two times per day;
• use only high-quality feed;
• it is better to cook for the dog yourself or use ready-made premium food;
• do not use irritating substances (salt, pepper, sugar) that enhance motor skills;
• avoid eating bones, rags, stones;
• food should be at room temperature.

The dog should receive food at the same time, in a familiar environment. Significant breaks between feedings lead to changes in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, while receiving food, motor skills and secretion increase sharply, which can provoke volvulus.

Physical activity is essential for the healthy development of the body. A dog without walking is susceptible to a variety of pathologies. But excessive activity also negatively affects the health of the animal. Jumping, strong exertion leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, causing intussusception. Twisting of the intestines is possible with somersaults of the dog.

Intense loads after prolonged dysfunction are especially dangerous. A relaxed body cannot compensate for the increased pressure, which is fraught with the occurrence of pathologies. Also, you should not take your dog for a walk immediately after receiving food.

In case of pathology and the appearance of the first signs, you must immediately contact the veterinary clinic. Delay in surgical intervention, even for a short time, often costs the life of the dog. The postoperative period is no less dangerous. At this time, the pet is especially susceptible to pathogenic factors, therefore, to avoid relapses and complications, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions of the veterinarian.

Volvulus in a dog is a rather rare ailment in which one intestine turns into another along the longitudinal or transverse axis. The problem is accompanied by impaired homeostasis with acute expansion of symptoms. Only a professional can deal with the problem, not without surgical intervention. Otherwise, it is worth talking about a lethal outcome.

What is the risk of volvulus in a dog?

Taking into account the statistics, mainly large breeds suffer from the disease. There are many provoking factors of health problems, and the treatment is exclusively surgical, which does not guarantee a 100% result, because the pet's heart may simply not cope with the load.
The main danger of the disease is the extremely rapid development of the disease. An inexperienced owner notices that something is wrong with the pet, but does not have time to listen to the advice of all friends and acquaintances in search of a solution to the situation when the very moment of an acute crisis comes here.

As a rule, everything goes according to the following scenario: the owner, as usual, goes for a walk with the dog, no matter how out of nowhere it begins to behave incomprehensibly: barking, moaning, vomiting, running in a circle. With every second, the condition begins to deteriorate (shortness of breath, bulging eyes, pale gums, decrease in body temperature). A couple of hours later - death due to cardiac arrest.

Symptoms of the disease

Signs of volvulus in dogs is a sensitive topic. It should be noted that the manifestation of symptoms makes it possible to determine with almost one hundred percent accuracy that this is volvulus. And it would be a real crime to ignore them. Main features:

1. Sudden bloating of the abdomen, an increase in its volume;
2. Hard breath;
3. Increased salivation;
4. Weakness, unconsciousness;
5. Anxiety, fussiness.
6. The state of shock in a dog is associated with insurmountable pain and squeezing of the abdominal cavity, as there is a narrowing of the peripheral vessels, which significantly impairs the blood supply to the viscera.

A significant increase in the stomach puts pressure on the diaphragm, which leads to respiratory failure. Arrhythmias often occur as complications of the heart. Symptoms of volvulus in dogs are the first sign that it's time to see a specialist.

Causes of volvulus

Unfortunately, the problem has not been fully studied, so it has not yet been possible to establish all the causes of the disease. Certain number of factors causing the anomaly have been established for certain.

Of course, it is worth considering some features of the breed, including the physique and age of the individual. Separately, it should be noted that this parameter is almost the main one in determining the predisposition of a four-legged to a health problem.
Large individuals from 25 kg are especially at risk. This is due to the fact that the mass and "looseness" of the pet is reflected in the weakness of the ligaments. This state does not allow the animal to keep the stomach in its traditional position. In addition, age directly affects the objective possibility of gastric volvulus based on the volume of the chest, as well as the shape of the abdomen.

True, a number of researchers believe that there is a relationship between the width and depth of the chest with the potential for volvulus. However, based on the fact that a number of racing greyhounds have a narrow and deep chest, only volvulus is rare in them, rather, this is an exception. As the only logical explanation, the cause of the problem can be noted not because of the chest, but in connection with the strength of the stomach ligaments.

Unbalanced diet. Most owners do not feel any danger in feeding their pets with food not intended for animals, or even provide their own food. Unfortunately, such a diet cannot be called balanced for dogs, which becomes a direct cause of stomach complications. In a situation of replacement of the qualitative and quantitative balance, it is possible to obtain stretching of the stomach walls. Food consumption in excess of the norm will affect the weakness of the walls.

Attention! Lovers of fattening their pets are automatically sent to the risk group.

There is also a genetic predisposition to developing health problems in tetrapods. Genetics cannot be ruled out. Before buying a puppy, you can take some time to find out his pedigree, medical history. Of course, even though the unique gene responsible for stomach problems, alas, has not yet been identified, researchers are unambiguous in their opinion that heredity is an authoritative criterion for the disease.

The rarity of meals.

Most hosts are similar in their penchant for simplicity. It is much easier to feed a pet once, but a lot than to navigate by the clock, especially with today's pace of life. But this attitude towards nutrition can play a cruel joke, leading to a number of problems.
Rushing through the meal involves swallowing air. This ultimately leads to bloating and, consequently, volvulus.

Activity and physical activity are prohibited immediately after eating. Researchers have long agreed that the likelihood of bloat is extremely high with exercise on a full stomach. Currently, this hypothesis is open and available for discussion, since the number of dogs affected in such situations is very large.
Situations are quite rare when the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract is a provocateur of the disease:

• Gastritis;
• Duodenitis;
• Tumors
• Disrupting the proper functioning of the stomach.

Recent studies have made it clear that cheerful pets rarely suffer from this ailment. This is what prompted the idea that the connection between psychology and physiology can still be traced.

Treatment of this disease

In an emergency in dogs, it is worth taking the pet to the veterinarian immediately. If you do not want to take it to extreme measures, then you can diagnose the ailment based on an X-ray photo of the abdominal cavity.

The operation requires a certain preoperative complex of procedures, including: infusion therapy, administration of analgesics and hormones, sedatives, antispasmodics and antiemetics. During the infusion, the stomach is punctured with a large-diameter needle in order to reduce the pressure on the abdominal cavity.
Next, they proceed to the direct operation, during which the stomach unfolds in order to get rid of the feces from the stomach. After - gastric lavage follows. The apogee of the operation is the stitching of the stomach to the wall of the abdomen so that it subsequently takes on its usual shape.

When a part of the stomach is dead, it is worth getting rid of. In situations of rupture of the parenchyma, the spleen is also subject to removal.
The rehabilitation period of the dog is two to three days of stationary observation, during which antibiotics are injected into it, and also not fed during the day after the operation.

Preventive measures

Disease prevention measures can be called attention to your pet, since it is attentiveness to his diet, to the mode of activity and rest that will become the key to preventing the disease.
To minimize the risk of an ailment, you should adhere to certain rules. For example, it is worth feeding the animal often in a small portion 2-3 times a day, and only with high-quality, easily digestible types of food. It is not worth loading the dog with physical activity, walking, making it run after eating. Minimize stressful situations for the four-legged.

In case of symptoms, you should urgently contact your veterinarian. Delay in an emergency with professional intervention will shorten the life of the pet by a factor of several, up to death.

There is no less danger in the postoperative period - the period when the tetrapod is extremely susceptible to pathogens. Therefore, in order to avoid complications, you should strictly follow all the instructions of the veterinarian.
The main thing to understand is that whether it is hair loss or even volvulus in dogs, you must solve this problem. In this case, a classic phrase comes to mind, painfully known to all owners of pets, that it is the owner who is responsible for the one he has tamed.

About the author: Anna Mikhailovna Tarasova

My specialization is surgery and veterinary medicine for dogs and exotic pets, as well as therapy and radiology. Read more about me in the "About Us" section.

Dilation of the stomach and volvulus is a life-threatening disorder that usually occurs in large dogs. Early on, the stomach fills with gas, causing it to expand or swell. In some cases, the upset does not progress further than the expansion of the stomach.

What causes the stomach to expand?

The exact cause of the disorder is still unknown. The condition is most commonly seen in large dog breeds that eat and drink quickly and then exercise vigorously.

Stress can also be a contributing factor to stomach enlargement - studies show that dogs that were more relaxed and calm were less at risk of developing the disorder.

How serious is gastric dilatation and volvulus?

Very serious, this is probably one of the most dangerous non-traumatic diseases in dogs. Immediate veterinary attention is required to save the dog's life.

Which dogs are more prone to developing stomach enlargement?

According to statistics, large, deep-chested dog breeds are more likely to develop the disease. These breeds are the St. Bernard, Irish Setter, Weimaraner, Gordon Setter, Poodle, Doberman, and Bobtail. It should be noted that bloating and enlargement of the stomach can occur in any dog, even a dachshund or a Chihuahua. The condition usually occurs two to three hours after eating large amounts of food.

Some facts about gastric dilatation and volvulus:

• Dogs weighing over 40 kg have an approximately 20% risk of developing the condition.
• Dilation of the stomach without volvulus is sometimes seen in older small dogs.
• Bloating puts pressure on the diaphragm and can make breathing difficult.
• Expansion of the stomach can press on large blood vessels in the abdomen and severely disrupt circulation, which in itself can be fatal.
• Ultimately, the dog faints and bloating becomes apparent when the dog lies on its side.

Factors that increase the risk of stomach enlargement:

• Feeding only once a day
• Hereditary medical history
• Fast food intake
• Low or underweight with a lean physique
• Anxious or nervous nature
• Aggressiveness towards people or other animals
• Males are more prone to bloating than females
• Adult and older dogs (7-12 years old) have a higher risk

Factors that reduce the risk of stomach enlargement:

• Feeding two or more times a day
• Adding canned food to feed
• Calm and relaxed nature
• Feeding dry foods containing calcium-rich meats (eg, lamb, fish, bone meal)

It is worth noting that gastric dilatation and volvulus cannot be distinguished as they look the same and have the same symptoms. An x-ray is often required to diagnose bloat.

Why does the dog faint?

The enlargement of the stomach presses on the large veins that carry blood back to the heart, disrupting circulation. Vital tissues and organs are deprived of oxygen, as a result of which the tissues begin to die off. Digestion stops and toxins begin to accumulate in the blood. If the expansion continues, it can rupture the stomach.

What can be done?

This life-threatening emergency requires urgent veterinary attention.

It is necessary to reduce the pressure on the stomach walls and internal organs as soon as possible. The veterinarian may use a gastric tube first. If this is not possible due to gastric volvulus, a large needle may be inserted through the skin to relieve pressure in the stomach.

Shock therapy should also be given as quickly as possible, with intravenous drug injections. After the dog has stabilized, surgical correction of volvulus may be performed.

What is the prognosis and survival rate?

The prognosis depends on the duration and severity of the condition, the degree of shock, heart problems, necrosis of the stomach wall, etc.

Even in relatively mild cases, the mortality rate from bloat is 15-20%. In the case of serious tissue damage, which requires removal of part of the stomach, the mortality rate increases to 38%. If removal of the spleen is required, the mortality rate also increases to 38%.

Can stomach dilatation be prevented?

Gastropexy (surgical fixation of the stomach) is the most effective preventive measure. In high-risk breeds, some veterinarians recommend prophylactic gastropexy.

This does not prevent expansion (bloating), but it does prevent twisting (volvulus) in most cases. Without gastropexy, the relapse rate increases by over 75%!

Close attention to your dog's diet, feeding, and training program can help prevent stomach enlargement.