| GASTRIC TORSION IN DOGS |
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| It seems there is a high risk of torsion of
the stomach if the animal is given one feeding a day, the dog is allowed to
drink and to indulge in vigorous exercise after eating. All these factors
should be avoided. |
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Torsion of the stomach in the dog is characterized by life-endangering
distension of the stomach with gas; the stomach is usually found to be
severely dilated and congested, and often to have rotated about an axis in
the plane of the esophagus.
There are many unknown features of this disease. Even the correct mane
for the disease is not known. It is commonly called torsion of the stomach;
however, many veterinarians, including the author, believe the primary
condition is not torsion, but distension or dilation of the stomach with
gas. This distension may or may not be followed by torsion or twisting of
the stomach.
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| Incidence |
| Torsion of the stomach is seen most commonly in large breeds including
the Great Dane and Bloodhound, as well as some of the intermediate size
breeds. Most people agree it is a serious problem in the first-two named
breeds. There does not appear to be any association with the sex or the age
of the animal. It has been reported in young adults as well as fully mature
dogs. There is no doubt it can occur suddenly after eating in a previously
healthy dog. |
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| The Cause of Torsion of the Stomach |
A commonly expressed explanation is that the disease is purely a
mechanical twist of the stomach. The stomach, containing some comparatively
heavy food material, is pictured as swinging in a pendulum-like fashion.
Then, as a result of a sudden jump from a high bench or from rolling or
playing, the pendulum is swung completely around the point of fixation of
the stomach, the point where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm,
giving rise to a twist.
This occludes both the entrance to and the exit from the stomach so that
gas, which is produced in the stomach, cannot escape, giving rise to the
distension. As stated previously, there is considerable doubt concerning the validity
of this explanation.
In criticism of this mechanical theory, several objections can be raised.
In many cases, there is no evidence that a sudden or vigorous movement of
the dog after feeding has occurred. In addition, the contents of the stomach
are not such that would facilitate a pendulum-like movement. In the normal,
tightly packed, abdominal cavity of the dog, the tonicity of the abdominal
muscles, the shortness of the gut, and the normal absence of much gas or
fluid, tend to preclude the free mobility visualized for the stomach.
In addition, it has been shown experimentally if the stomach of the dog
is distended with air by means of a stomach tube, the stomach eventually
twists in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, depending on
the position of the spleen at the onset of distension. If the previous
theory is correct, there must be some factor which causes the initial
distension of the stomach. This factor is not known, but it is probably due
to a condition which causes atony or paralysis of the wall of the stomach
associated with a large meal and then gas production. Much of the gas found
in the stomach could be caused by swallowing air.
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| The Development of the Disease in the Dog |
According to the theory that distension is the primary condition,
following distension with gas, the stomach rotates in a clockwise or
counter-clockwise direction. The dog is usually severely ill, and can die
within one or two hours. The stomach is severely distended, the wall of the
stomach is congested, and may even be deprived of blood. The spleen is also
twisted and enlarged.
A second situation can occur which is not so serious; the condition is
more chronic, and may last several days. Some dogs eventually become
severely distended, and may die; however, many recover spontaneously.
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| What Causes the Death of the Dog |
This condition in the dog has a sudden onset, usually within one to two
hours of eating a large meal. The dog is first breathless and, if examined
closely, the abdomen is excessively large. The dog will stand, lie still, or
move only with caution. He will generally pass feces and gas so that
eventually the entire gut with the exception of the stomach has been
emptied. There are often attempts at vomiting although these attempts are
rarely successful. In a period varying from one-half to three hours, the
stomach becomes grossly distended, and there is severe dyspnea, or
difficulty in breathing. The dog may live up to 36 hours but many will die
within one to two hours.
There are several explanations for the rapid onset of severe signs and
rapid death. It has long been suggested one of the important aspects is the
stomach pressing forward on the diaphragm thus compressing the lungs so that
the animal has difficulty in breathing. There is experimental and clinical
evidence, however, that the rapid development of severe signs can be better
explained by the pressure of the enlarged stomach on the vena cava, the
large vein which carries blood to the heart from the abdomen and hind legs.
As a result of this pressure, there is an inadequate amount of blood
returning to the heart, which cannot function effectively as a pump, and
therefore, the blood pressure of the animal falls. This produces shock and
rapid death. Other factors contribute to a lessor degree to the development
of the clinical signs. There is a loss of fluids and electrolytes from the
body into the distended gut, and there probably is some pressure by the
distended stomach on the lungs, interfering with their function.
It can be seen from this discussion of the cause of death in torsion of
the stomach, that the first priority in the treatment of torsion of the
stomach must be relief of the distension.
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| Management of the Dog with Torsion of the Stomach |
This is one of the true emergencies in veterinary medicine, and treatment
must be instituted immediately if the animal is to survive. If the dog
cannot be treated immediately by a veterinarian, the owner may be forced to
render first aid to his dog. This is difficult, and there is no uniformly
successful method to relieve the distension. In some dogs, a stomach tube
can be passed. This can be done by the owner. Unfortunately, it is not
possible to do this in dogs with major torsion of the stomach since the
entrance into the stomach is obstructed by the twist in the esophagus. Some
owners puncture the stomach with a large-bore needle so that the gas will
escape. It is probably best to do this on the right side of the dog over the
point of greatest distension. Again, unfortunately, this is not always
successful. The needle can become obstructed by stomach contents, and there
maybe a leakage of fluids and gas into the abdominal cavity with risk of
peritonitis. If the animal is severely affected, the owner may have no
choice but to attempt one of these methods to relieve the distension.
The dog should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, there has been insufficient experimental work done by
veterinarians on the treatment of torsion of the stomach, and opinions vary
on the correct form of therapy.
Many veterinarians advise immediate anesthesia and surgery to relieve the
distension and the twist of the stomach. If large volumes of fluids and
electrolytes are given by intravenous injection before and during the
operation, reasonably good results can be expected.
More satisfactory results have been obtained by a method in which the
distension is relieved by a simple surgical procedure. This is later
followed by correction of the torsion when the dog is no longer in shock and
better able to withstand anesthesia and surgery. This is the method
recommended by this author. A small opening is made into the stomach using a
local anesthesia. The wall of the stomach is sutured to the skin so that
leakage into the abdominal cavity with subsequent peritonitis cannot occur.
Fluid and electrolytes are given by intravenous injection; surgery is
performed later to close the hole in the stomach and reposition the stomach,
if necessary.
Strict control of food and water intake for many days after surgery is
needed to avoid a recurrence of the condition.
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| Prevention |
The treatment of torsion of the stomach is unsatisfactory for two
reasons. First, the condition develops so quickly that the animal can die in
such a short time that many dogs die before treatment can be instituted.
Second, it is not possible to save all animals with any of the presently
accepted forms of treatment. Using the method in which the distension is
relieved and the torsion corrected at a later date, it is expected that 75
to 80 % of dogs should survive. Some dogs are so close to death before
treatment that they cannot be saved, and in others, the stomach wall is
severely injured by lack of blood supply so that recovery cannot occur.
Therefore, we should direct our attention to prevention of this
condition. Unfortunately, there are not generally accepted methods for
prevention, and much investigative work is needed.
In some large populations of dogs, such as those in the armed forces, a
high incidence of torsion of the stomach has been seen with certain feeding
regimens. In many cases, the condition disappears when these dogs are given
food ad lib., that is, the dogs have access to a large amount of food so
that the dog may eat a small amount of food on many occasions during the
day. Obviously, with this management system, the dog has no incentive to eat
one large meal at any given time and he does not eat hurriedly.
The most common advice given to owners of large breed dogs is based on
experiences such as the one described previously. If there is a high risk,
it is best to avoid one large meal per day. The dog should be fed at least
twice daily; he should be discouraged from eating rapidly, and he should not
be allowed to play actively before and after feeding. The dog should have
access to water continuously so there is less chance he will drink a large
amount immediately after eating.
It seems there is a high risk of torsion of the stomach if the animal is
given one feeding a day, the dog is allowed to drink and to indulge in
vigorous exercise after eating. All these factors should be avoided.
Certain drugs that alter the mobility of the gastrointestinal tract have
been advocated to prevent gastric torsion. There is no experimental or
clinical evidence that any of the presently available drugs is useful. An
operation known as pyloroplasty has been advocated by some to increase the
size of the exit opening in the stomach. Again, there are no reports in the
scientific literature that this procedure should be used.
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| The dog should be fed at least twice daily;
he should be discouraged from eating rapidly, and he should not be allowed
to play actively before and after feeding. |
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| The most common advice given to owners of
large breed dogs is based on experiences such as the one described
previously. If there is a high risk, it is best to avoid one large meal per
day. |
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information provided on this site regarding health matters. |
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