by Dr. Laurie Noaker, DVM, DACVIM

We recently treated a dog for a twisted stomach. This is known as GDV – or gastric dilatation volvulus. Large breed dogs with deep chests, usually greater than 50 pounds, are more predisposed to this condition. German Shepherds, Dobermans, Weimaraners, Standard Poodles, Great Danes, Setters, Retrievers, Basset Hounds, Old English Sheepdogs, Boxers, Collies and Spaniels are the most commonly reported breeds among the purebreds. The condition has also been noted in small breed dogs.

Our adrenaline really starts to pump when we see a GDV. It is a truly serious and life threatening surgical emergency. The most common clinical sign is unproductive retching. While the dog is trying to vomit, nothing is being expelled.

After a recent GDV surgery on a Doberman, we untwisted the stomach and it was then stitched to the left side of the body wall to prevent it from twisting again. Surgery and recovery were uneventful.

However, post operatively, the patient would not eat. At first, we attributed it to his age, his surroundings (hospitalized patients often prefer to eat at home) and potential underlying metabolic diseases. All of his test results were normal, yet he still refused to eat. He was about to be discharged in hopes that he would eat at home and as he was standing in the lobby, he vomited a green substance. Our gut instincts, no pun intended, caused us to order an ultrasound to take a second look at his internal organs. The sonographer informed us of a foreign object in his intestines.

Back to surgery he went for retrieval of an unknown foreign object. Lodged in the small intestine was a small black ball. It was just the right diameter to cause an obstruction. In hindsight, the ball was probably in the stomach at the time of the original surgery, yet it was not seen hiding amongst the food and kibble that was also present.

As owners of large breed dogs, it is important to know the clinical signs of a GDV and to keep small objects away from large dogs. As veterinarians, it is important for us to think of all the causes, including a small black ball with a very high bounce. Fortunately, in this case, the patient bounced back from his second surgery with no further complications.

Dr. Laurie Noaker is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (SAIM) and is the Chief of Staff at the Veterinary Emergency Referral Group, Inc.

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