![]() ![]() ![]() Pressure on the portal vein decreases blood flow to liver and decreases the ability of that organ to remove toxins and absorbed bacteria from the blood. The results of this distortion of normal anatomy and gas distension include hypotension (low blood pressure), decreased return of blood to the heart, ischemia (loss of blood supply) of the stomach, and shock. If the volvulus is greater than 180°, the esophagus is closed off, thereby preventing the animal from relieving the condition by belching or vomiting. The stomach can rotate up to 360° in this direction and 90° counterclockwise. The most common direction for rotation is clockwise, viewing the animal from behind. Gas distension may occur prior to or after the stomach twists. The stomach twists around the longitudinal axis of the digestive tract, also known as volvulus. ![]() ![]() One study looking at the ingredients of dry dog food found that while neither grains, soy, nor animal proteins increased risk of bloat, foods containing an increased amount of added oils or fats do increase the risk, possibly owing to delayed emptying of the stomach. Eating only once daily and eating food consisting of particles less than 30 mm (1.2 in) in size also may increase the risk of GDV. One common recommendation in the past has been to raise the food bowl of dogs when they eat, but this may actually increase the risk of GDV. Dogs with inflammatory bowel disease may be at an increased risk for bloat. Alternatively, the dogs may become unhappy/uncomfortable as a consequence of the conditions that lead up to exhibiting bloat. This may be owing to the physiological effects of the dog's personality on the function and motility of the gastrointestinal system. The risk of bloat in dogs perceived as happy by their owners is decreased, and increased in dogs perceived as fearful. Some of the more widely acknowledged factors for developing GDV include increased age, breed, having a deep and narrow chest, eating foods, such as kibble, that expand in the stomach, overfeeding, too much water consumption in a small period of time before or after exercise, and other causes of gastrointestinal disease and distress. Gastric dilatation volvulus in dogs is likely caused by a multitude of factors, but in all cases the immediate prerequisite is a dysfunction of the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach and an obstruction of outflow through the pylorus. Chronic GDV in dogs, include symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, and weight loss. Many dogs with GDV have cardiac arrhythmias (40% in one study). Other possible symptoms include firm distension of the abdomen, weakness, depression, difficulty breathing, hypersalivation, and retching without producing any vomitus (nonproductive vomiting). A dog might stand uncomfortably and seem to be in extreme discomfort for no apparent reason. Symptoms are not necessarily distinguishable from other kinds of distress. With surgery, the mortality rate is 15 to 33 percent. Mortality rates in dogs range from 10 to 60%, even with treatment. It is common in certain breeds deep-chested breeds are especially at risk. GDV is a life-threatening condition in dogs that requires prompt treatment. The word bloat is often used as a general term to mean gas distension without stomach torsion (a normal change after eating), or to refer to GDV. Gastric dilatation volvulus ( GDV), also known as gastric dilation, twisted stomach, or gastric torsion, is a medical condition that affects dogs in which the stomach becomes overstretched and rotated by excessive gas content. X-ray from the underside of a dog with GDV. The "double bubble" pattern indicates that stomach torsion has occurred. For other uses, see Bloat (disambiguation). ![]()
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