Gastric Torsion In Dogs: A Serious Disease
Gastric torsion in dogs is a real medical emergency. This pathology consists in a stomach dilation so severe that this organ twists on its axis. It is a really serious problem that endangers the life of the animal.
What is gastric torsion?
Gastric torsion is nothing more than a twisting of the stomach on its own axis which causes it to swell (however it is not possible to know if the bulge is anterior or posterior to the torsion). The problem is that with this rotation both the entrance and the exit of the stomach are closed and the animal will not be able to discharge what is contained in the organ. The pressure increases and causes alterations to damage the other organs, seriously endangering the life of the animal. If no action is taken immediately, the animal will go into a state of shock that will lead to its death.
Symptoms of gastric torsion in dogs are: acute abdominal pain, bloating of the stomach, excessive salivation, nervousness and retching. It can also cause internal problems such as spasms in the stomach muscles or hormonal overactivity.
As soon as the first symptoms appear, you must run to the vet so that you can relieve gastric pressure and stabilize the animal. Surgery is likely to be required to correct the torsion.
The operation is extremely complicated and, as always, prevention is better than cure.
Causes of gastric torsion in dogs
The causes of gastric torsion in dogs are still unclear. It is believed that it may be a genetic disease, however, the studies carried out have not led to definitive results. What is known is that this syndrome results from a weak fixation of the ligaments that support the stomach. A certain fact is that it often affects animals of the same owner, so it is not excluded that it may also derive from specific environmental conditions.
Nor is it excluded that it can be triggered by excessive ingestion of food or water. If the dog eats or drinks too much, it strains the weakened ligaments.
Furthermore, we must not forget that it was man and not nature that created the different dog breeds. The “artificial” selection which aims specifically at obtaining certain particular characteristics of an aesthetic type, such as size, color, etc., and of a physical type, specific abilities, predispositions, etc.
Due to the intervention of man, who has selected the various dog breeds, nature has not had the time to make those necessary changes to the dog’s body. In other words: the evolution of the races is still incomplete. And this means that nowadays dogs, weighing more than 3 kg, are more predisposed to suffer from this pathology.
Who can be affected by gastric torsion?
There are some breeds more predisposed than others to suffer from this condition, for example the large and deep-breasted breeds, such as the German Shepherd, the Saint Bernard and the Irish Setter. But dogs belonging to smaller breeds, such as the basset hound, the dachshund and the Pekingese, are also not excluded.
Tips to avoid gastric torsion
Since the exact causes of gastric torsion are not known, it is best to try to reduce the risk through proper nutrition. To avoid this syndrome in dogs, it is best to divide the meal into two or three rations a day. Remember to go out for exercise at least one hour before or two hours after your dog has eaten. Predisposed breeds must be able to eat in a quiet and calm environment, to avoid ingesting air as well as food. As we have said, the accumulation of gas, air, food and water causes gastric dilation .
