Gastric torsion in dogs: causes, symptoms and recommendations

Our pets are an important part of the family and that is why we always try to watch over their well -being. We take care of their food, hygiene, diseases and, in general, of all aspects that allow them to maintain a healthy life. To contribute to the care you give to your pet, today we will talk about Gastric torsion in dogs: its causes, its symptoms and some recommendations, since it is a disease that can be potentially deadly if it is not attended immediately. It is always important to offer a good diet, in this case recommended using feed with a lot of super premium range digestibility, as the daily ration is more digestible, it will be lower and will be better fed, in very prone breeds or that they have this pathology it is recommended to give them the daily ration divided into two shots, in feed blue wolf we have available the super premium feet of lamb that gives very good results in dogs with dogs with delicate stomachs.

What is gastric torsion?

Gastric torsion, whose full name is Gastric dilatation-cross syndrome, it is an acute disease that occurs in many groups of animals, including man. In dogs, more prone breeds to suffer gastric torsion They are the big, deep chest, guy boxer, great Danish, German shepherd, giant schnauzer, dobermanBulldog, Dalmatian, among others, although smaller breeds may also suffer if they are not provided with adequate nutrition.  Gastric torsion in dogs is produced by the accumulation of gases in the stomach and inability of the body's own physiological mechanisms to empty them. This accumulation causes the dilation of stomach walls and rotation or torsion on its longitudinal axis, causing in turn the strangulation of the veins and the arteries that irrigate it, the hypovolemic shock - or reduction of the amount of blood circulating through the body - and the severe ischemia - or decreased blood irrigation - of the stomach walls. Sometimes, more or less pronounced torsion of the spleen can also occur by the pressure exerted by the stomach and also torsion or intestine strangulation, what is known as volvulus. The entire picture of difficulty in blood irrigation, plus the accumulation of mediating substances of inflammation, cause the dog cardiac arrhythmias and severe poisoning. In addition to the inability to empty the stomach because of the torsion it suffers. 

Causes of gastric torsion in dogs: some hypotheses

The Causes that cause gastric torsion in dogs. One of the proposed hypotheses is the inability of the ligaments that support the stomach to hold it properly due to the great dilation suffered by the accumulation of gases. However, it is believed that too It can be related to some abnormality in stomach movements and even have some hereditary component. Its appearance has been associated with copious intakes of food at once, as well as with eating very fast, drinking a lot of water and eating immediately before or after the performance of physical exercise. The development of stressful situations for the dog during the time of its food has also been mentioned.

Symptoms of gastric torsion in dogs

Initial symptoms

The first symptom that can be evidenced is inflammation or stomach swell, what should attract your attention and be a reason for careful observation of the dog, as it can move quickly until gastric torsion occurs. Given these first symptoms, it is important to take the precautions of the case, which can include the visit to the veterinarian, since the early detection will be the one that allows the proper and timely treatment that your dog's life can save. 

Associated symptoms

In addition to inflammation or swelling, Your dog can Start presenting other symptoms associated with the internal process that is being developed:

• It produces many gases or belching.
• He is restless and complains.
• Suffers from abdominal spasms that cause nausea And desire to vomit, but he is not able to do it; Sparkling saliva boot.
• The abdominal cavity sounds like a drum if it hits gently on it.
• You can present Difficulty breathing.
• You will see what something happens because it will be depressed, weak and without appetite.

Gastric torsion treatment of dogs

Initial treatment

The main treatment is immediate attention from your dog by the veterinarian Who will proceed with the diagnosis, for which it can be helped with an radiography that will allow you to see how relaxed the stomach is. As soon as possible, it must stabilize it through the supply of intravenous fluids and antibiotics and, if possible, to the emptying of the stomach to reduce the pressure. Once the stabilization of the general state of the dog is achieved and depending on the gravity that torsion has reached, surgical intervention may be necessary for return the stomach and spleen to its natural position and eliminate the parts of intestine that have suffered necrosis. Sometimes, the stomach must be connected directly to the colon to avoid future torsion episodes and should be fixed to the costal wall to avoid the risk of future torsion.

Postoperative treatment

In addition to all the care that must be followed in emergency treatment and the possible surgical intervention, you must take special care with the subsequent treatment due to the risks of infection that may occur that they can derive in peritonitis. However, one of the biggest postoperative complications It can be presented by the restart of blood irrigation in affected tissues. When normal blood circulation is restored, cardiac arrhythmias that must be treated with the indicated drugs can occur. 

Recommendations

For prevent your dog from suffering a gastric torsion, the main recommendation is to control the amount of food you consume in each meal. It is preferable that meals fractions and establish a more or less fixed schedule for them to perform them. It is also recommended to control water intake after each meal and avoid exercise one hour before and, at least three hours after eating. Help also maintain a relaxed environment for the moment you eat. Remember that these preventive measures will not necessarily prevent your dog from suffering gastric torsion, so you should always be attentive to your condition and go immediately to the veterinarian in case of any suspicion. [embed] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaxbf4u-jrg[/embed]