Vet's Voice Kathleen Linpus www.vetcaretauranga.co.nz

Sam the Labrador came to see us last week; he had enjoyed his breakfast, then gone for a big walk and found more to eat.

During the day, he became quite uncomfortable. He was restless, drooling, trying to vomit and his abdomen appeared swollen.

Sam had what we call Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus or GDV. His stomach was full of food and gas and had twisted over. More gas was forming and Sam's stomach was blowing up like a balloon.

This is a surgical emergency; Sam was in shock and in a lot of pain. His twisted stomach was starting to twist the spleen. We needed to relieve the pressure.

He was given pain relief and started on intravenous fluids to treat the shock. A stomach tube was then placed to release some of the gas and Sam was taken into emergency surgery. The stomach was twisted 270 degrees back to its normal location, emptied and then sutured to the side of the ribcage to prevent it re-twisting. After a couple of days in hospital recovering he is now back to his usual bouncy, hungry self.

GDVs are seen mostly in large breed dogs with deep chests. Eating from a raised bowl or eating very rapidly can increase the risk. It can occur after a big meal and exercise. Therefore, we recommend feeding dogs' breakfast and dinner, rather than one large meal per day. And always give them time to digest their meal before vigorous exercise – just like mum said; 'no swimming on a full tummy”.

Kathleen joined VCT in 2005. She completed her Veterinary Degree in 2003 and has a special interest in Ophthalmology (eyes) and Oncology (cancer). She is proud mum to Romey and Manny (dogs) and Woof the cat.
Phone VetCare 07 576 9555.