Home › Animalia › Animal health › Animal diseases › Stomach dilatation-torsion syndrome

other disease Dog

Stomach dilatation-torsion syndrome

This is the most serious digestive emergency in dogs. The stomach suddenly fills with gas, expands, then rotates on itself. By rotating, it closes at both ends: nothing can come out, either through the mouth or towards the intestine. The bl...

Find a veterinarian All dog diseases

Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

The bloated stomach crushes the large blood vessels in the abdomen and pushes out the diaphragm. Circulation collapses, breathing becomes difficult, the stomach wall ceases to be irrigated and begins to necrotize.

Without veterinary intervention, an affected dog dies within a few hours. There is no action you can do at home that can replace this care.

Key point

Absolute life-threatening emergency. A large dog with a swollen stomach, who tries to vomit without bringing anything back and who is drooling, should be taken to a veterinarian immediately, day or night. Every hour lost reduces their chances of survival.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Bloating Excessive salivation Pain Reduction Rapid breathing Difficulty breathing Pale mucous membranes Swelling Hard or painful abdomen Restlessness Looking at the flank

The stomach swells, becomes tense and hard, especially behind the ribs on the left side.

The dog tries to vomit without bringing back anything, or only a little white foam: these are repeated, empty efforts. This is the most characteristic sign.

He drools profusely.

He is agitated, cannot find a comfortable position, turns in circles, lies down then gets up, looks at his side.

Breathing accelerates, becomes short and painful.

The gums turn pale, the dog weakens, then collapses.

These signs often appear in the evening, in the hours following a meal.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

Two phenomena combine: an accumulation of gas and liquid in the stomach, then the rotation of this dilated stomach around its axis.

The exact trigger remains poorly explained. We know that the anatomy of the rib cage plays a role: in tall and narrow-chested dogs, the stomach has more mobility.

Very large meals, rapid food intake with ingestion of air, or intense exercise just before or just after the meal are recognized predisposing circumstances.

Large breeds and deep-chested giant breeds are by far the most exposed: Great Dane, Setter, Pointer, German Shepherd, Boxer, Standard Poodle, Greyhounds, Saint Bernard.

The risk increases with age.

One large meal per day, a dog that eats very quickly, intense physical activity around the meal.

A history of simple dilatation in the same dog.

A close relative already affected: the family predisposition is established.

Small dogs can be affected, but it is rare.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

It's a race against time: the dog must be taken to a veterinarian immediately, night and day, without waiting until the next morning.

During transport, no water, food or medicine is given. We're not trying to induce vomiting. We place the dog calmly, without compressing its stomach.

At the clinic, the veterinarian begins by stabilizing the circulation with an IV and decompressing the stomach, which immediately relieves pressure on the heart and lungs.

An x-ray of the abdomen confirms the torsion and distinguishes it from simple dilatation.

Blood tests and heart rhythm monitoring complete the assessment, because rhythm disturbances frequently accompany this syndrome.

Treatment

The treatment is surgical and urgent. There is no medical treatment alone.

The dog is first resuscitated: perfusion, stomach decompression, pain management.

The operation puts the stomach back in place, checks the condition of its wall and that of the spleen, and removes the areas whose tissues are destroyed.

At the same time, the surgeon fixes the stomach to the wall of the abdomen: this gesture, called gastropexy, prevents further twisting. Without it, recidivism is very common.

Monitoring over the following days focuses on heart rate, pain and gradual resumption of food, under drip and with appropriate medications prescribed by the veterinarian.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

Split the ration: two or three meals per day rather than one large meal.

Avoid any intense effort in the hour before and two hours after the meal; leave the dog alone after eating.

Slow down dogs who swallow too quickly, for example with an anti-gluttonous bowl.

Avoid large quantities of water drunk in one gulp just after a meal; leaving water available at all times avoids these massive catches.

Keep the dog calm during digestion, without playing or running.

In very high risk breeds, a preventive gastropexy can be discussed with the veterinarian, often at the time of sterilization. This is a decision that must be made on a case-by-case basis.

Dogs from parents with torsion should be monitored with particular attention.

Possible complications

Necrosis of the stomach wall when irrigation has been interrupted for too long; the affected area must be removed, which makes the operation much more complicated.

Damage to the spleen, which follows the stomach in its rotation and must sometimes be removed.

Heart rhythm disturbances, often within two days following the procedure.

Shock, kidney damage, coagulation disorders.

Peritonitis if the stomach has ruptured.

Recurrence when the stomach has not been fixed.

When to see a veterinarian

Your dog has a swollen and tense stomach: go to the vet immediately, at any time.

He tries to vomit without bringing anything back, several times in a row: it's a life-threatening emergency, don't wait.

He drools a lot and seems anxious, unable to sit still.

He breathes quickly, with difficulty, or collapses.

Its gums are pale or grayish.

Even if in doubt, have the dog examined: a false alarm only costs a consultation, an untreated twist costs the animal's life.

Prognosis

The factor that weighs the most is the time between the first signs and arrival at the veterinarian.

A dog operated on quickly, before the stomach wall is destroyed, has a good chance of recovering and returning to a normal life.

The prognosis becomes very poor when the stomach or spleen has suffered irreversible damage, or when the dog arrives in an advanced state of shock.

After a gastropexy, recurrence of torsion becomes very unlikely.

Frequently asked questions

How to tell the difference between simple indigestion and torsion?

You cannot do it reliably at home, and that is precisely why you need to consult. The combination of hard, swollen stomach, unproductive vomiting efforts, and profuse salivation should always be treated as torsion until proven otherwise by a veterinarian.

Can I wait until morning if it happens at night?

No. This is the only point in this sheet that allows no exceptions: waiting a few hours is enough to kill the dog. You need to find a veterinarian on call.

Should you make the dog vomit or give him water while you wait?

No, neither. The stomach is closed at both ends: nothing can come out, and anything added makes the pressure worse. We don't give anything and we leave immediately.

Is preventive gastropexy justified in my dog?

It is discussed for deep-chested giant breeds, especially if a dog in the same family has already been affected. This is a decision to make with your veterinarian, depending on the breed, age and lifestyle of the dog.

My dog eats very quickly: is this really a problem?

Yes, this is one of the recognized factors, because the dog swallows a lot of air at the same time as its food. An anti-gluttonous bowl and split meals are simple and useful measures.