CANINE GASTRIC DILATATION VOLVULUS SYNDROME IN A VETERINARY CRITICAL CARE UNIT - 295 CASES (1986-1992)/

Two hundred ninety-five case records were included in an analysis of d ogs treated by a standardized protocol for gastric dilatation/volvulus syndrome between 1986 and 1992. A breed predisposition was demonstrat ed for Great Danes, German Shepherd Dogs, large mixed-breed dogs, and Standard Poodles. One hundred and ninety-three dogs had gastric dilata tion and volvulus (GDV) confirmed at surgery, 66 had simple gastric di latation (GD), and 36 others had gastric dilatation but volvulus could not he proved or disproved (GD +/- v). Among dogs with GDV, the fatal ity rate was 15% (29/193). Twenty-six (13.5%) dogs with GDV underwent pal tial gastrectomy, and 8 (31%) died or were subsequently euthanatiz ed. In comparing the group of dogs with GDV that survived to those tha t died, there were no statistical differences in the age of dog, time between onset of clinical signs and admission, time from admission to surgery, or duration of anesthesia. Cardiac arrhythmias were detected in 40% (78/193) of the dogs with GDV. There also was no statistical co rrelation between development of a cardiac arrhythmia and outcome in d ogs with GDV. The causes of death in dogs with GDV were multiple and v aried, presumed gastric necrosis was a common reason for intraoperativ e euthanasia (11 dogs). Among dogs with GD or GD +/- V, the fatality r ate was 0.9% (1/102).