Dj. Brockman et al., CANINE GASTRIC DILATATION VOLVULUS SYNDROME IN A VETERINARY CRITICAL CARE UNIT - 295 CASES (1986-1992)/, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 207(4), 1995, pp. 460-464
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).