GASTRIC DILATATION-VOLVULUS AFTER SPLENIC TORSION IN 2 DOGS

Two dogs developed gastric dilatation-volvulus 2 and 17 months, respec tively, after splenectomy for treatment of splenic torsion. Splenic di splacement and torsion may stretch the gastric ligaments, allowing inc reased mobility of the stomach. After splenectomy, an anatomic void ma y be created in the cranioventral part of the abdomen, contributing to the mobility of the stomach. Veterinarians treating dogs with isolate d splenic torsion may wish to consider prophylactic gastropexy at sple nectomy, to reduce the chance of future gastric dilatation-volvulus. P rophylactic gastropexy should be done only if the dog's hemodynamic st atus is stable enough to allow for performance of the additional surge ry.