Emergency Medicine Case of the Week

Case #5   -- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus

Learning Objectives
After reviewing this case you will be able to:
  • Recognize a gastric dilatation-volvulus in the dog
  • Provide emergency treatment for this condition
  • Recommend the surgical treatment for gastric dilatation-volvulus
  • Identify and treat the postoperative complications following surgical correction

Case Presentation by:  Amy Grimes and Sandi Grover

Patient Profile: "Duke", an 8-year old, castrated male, Doberman.

gdv.gif (121718 bytes)

History: "Duke" was apparently normal this evening at feeding time.  The owner heard "Duke" moaning on the back porch and found "Duke" recumbent, retching, and unable to vomit.  His cranial abdomen was quite distended and "Duke" was having difficulty breathing.

Physical Examination:  Heart and pulse rate = 120/minute. Respiratory rate = 77 breaths/minute.  Body weight = 30.2 kg. "Duke" was in respiratory distress and had an enlarged cranial abdomen.  The abdomen was moderately sensitive to palpation.  Percussion of the abdomen provided a resonating sound.  The capillary refill time was normal, the mucous membrane color was slightly pale, and the pulse character was weak.

Laboratory Findings:  Arterial blood gases (breathing room air):   pH = 7.440, PCO2 = 29.2, PO2 = 54.8, HCO3 = 19.1, ABE = -2.1, Sat O2 = 91.6, Barometric Pressure = 642 (Fort Collins = 1500 Meters!). Serum glucose = 130 mg/dl;  potassium = 2.9 mEq/L.

Abdominal Radiographs:

  gdvvd.jpg (49803 bytes)   gdvlat.jpg (60295 bytes)

Click on the radiograph to see an enlargement

Questions:

Answers and Discussion:

Return to Introduction:

Copyright Wayne E. Wingfield, DVM, Colorado State University, 1998. All rights reserved.
This page was last edited:  01/27/99