Bloat (GDV, or gastric dilatation and volvulus)

Dogs of certain conformations (deep chested) can acutely twist their stomachs.  In some cases, it is a matter of being too active too soon after eating, it can be related to eating too fast or eating something out of the ordinary, and it can be related to chronic problems (gastritis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, cancer). 

In all cases, gas and/or air accumulate in the stomach faster than the dog can eliminate it, the stomach becomes bouyant and rises up along the body wall, then flips. 

Once it twists (called volvulus), the blood supply to stomach and spleen is compromised, tissues begin to die and many complications may ensue...including rapid progression to death. 

Affected patients are often (not always) visibly distended and retching loudly, sometimes expectorateing frothy fluid.  The potential complications include pain, heart rhythm disturbances, shock (lack of effective circulation), reperfusion injury, systemic inflammation, and death.

Treatment is needed right away, and includes IV fluids, pain medications, medications to support the GI tract and surgical intervention to reposition the stomach, attach it to the belly wall so it can not twist ever again (called gastropexy) and to inspect and repair any damage to the stomach and spleen. 

Surgery also includes measures, such as biopsy, to identify any underlying cause.  In young patients that are treated early, recovery is usually fast and uncomplicated.

In patients who were bloated for a longer period of time before treatment and in older patients or those with pre-existing conditions, recovery can be prolonged and associated with any number of complications. 

Still, these days, this is mostly a fixable problem when identified and treated early.

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