Twisted Spleen

Kansas State University News Services 9 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-0117 (785) 532-6415; fax - (785) 532-6418 Cheryl May, director of news services, news1@ksu.edu

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KSU VETERINARIAN SAYS TO BEWARE OF SOMERSAULTING STOMACHS

MANHATTAN - People sometimes take their internal body health for granted. They can't see the stomach churning and digesting food, and most people wouldn't want to even if they could. However in the case of a dog's stomach, sometimes what can't be seen will not only cause pain, it could even cause death.

Ken Harkin, assistant professor at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, says that owners of large dogs with deep chest cavities should be aware of a well recognized, but uncommon and deadly disease known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, or GDV. Dog breeds most commonly affected are German shepherds, great Danes, Doberman pinschers, and Irish setters.

According to Harkin, two things happen to the stomach of a dog that has GDV. First, it distends and balloons up with gas and fluid, in addition to food that is already present. Then, the organ literally takes a turn for the worst, rotating from its original position and often twisting the attached spleen right along with it. "The turning cuts off the blood supply to the stomach and spleen and the organs may die," Harkin said.

Harkin explains that like so many other rare and fatal pet illnesses, the cause of GDV is unknown. Veterinarians have found a higher occurrence of GDV in dogs with certain characteristics. Dogs aged more than eight years who eat large meals seem to face a greater risk of GDV, as do dogs whose family history includes the disease.

One explanation that Harkin proposes is that GDV strikes dogs with weaker gastric or stomach ligaments. "The stomach dilates from overeating, and it then distends with gas. Because the stomach ligaments are weak, they do not hold the stomach in place. The weight of the food drops the stomach below its normal position, and it turns," Harkin said.

Surgical treatment is the only option to relieve GDV. Harkin says that the first thing veterinarians do is decompress the stomach to get rid of the excess gas. If a gastric tube cannot be inserted through the opening to the dog's stomach to empty the contents, a needle is often inserted in order to release the air. "The stomach's size must be reduced immediately because it can inhibit blood flowing from the abdomen back to the heart," Harkin explains.

However, if the stomach has already begun to turn, surgery must be done immediately. According to Harkin, surgeons realign the organs and may remove part of the stomach or spleen if they have died from lack of oxygen. "Parts of the stomach can actually appear black, indicating that those cells have died," Harkin said.

Surviving GDV can be a harrowing experience, but Harkin notes that dogs recovering from surgery frequently face even more complications. "Unhealthy substances flow into the bloodstream and may affect the heart or lead to kidney failure. The stomach may die after surgery is done, and create infection in the abdominal cavity. Dogs with GDV sometimes can continue to have episodes of bloat or chronically vomit for some period of time," Harkin said.

Thankfully, GDV does not strike very often. Harkin does caution owners not to become complacent, though, because the disease can leave dogs close to death only two hours after striking. Harkin says large breed dog owners need to watch for the following signs: dogs who are trying to wretch, or appear to have the dry heaves; dogs who are salivating more than usual; dogs who look extremely uncomfortable or in shock; and dogs with full, distended, or tight abdomens. If a large dog exhibits these signs, call a veterinarian immediately.

Harkin notes that some veterinarians surgically attach the stomach prohylactically to the body cavity in order to strengthen them and prevent stomach twisting. Though it is uncertain if this treatment works to reduce GDV, Harkin recommends feeding big breeds several small meals throughout the day instead of one or two very large meals.

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