#GoodToKnow - GDV
Carrying over a hashtag that I often use on my instagram when sharing useful knowledge, particularly pertaining to medical issues and safety, I wanted to share some information on a condition called GDV - something that I think is very good to know about!
What is GDV?
GDV stands for Gastric Dilation Volvulus, an extremely serious condition in which the stomach swells and twists around itself.
Why should pet parents be aware of it?
GDV can affect any dog, and can come on extremely rapidly. It’s important to have an awareness of it and know the symptoms because the faster your dog receives treatment, the better their chances of survival. GDV can only be treated with emergency surgery to untwist the stomach, and unfortunately even in cases where surgery is undertaken, it can still be fatal. [1][2][3]
What are the key symptoms?
These are the symptoms as detailed by the PDSA:
Bloat (a swollen tummy)
Retching (trying to vomit without bringing anything up)
Vomiting
Excessive drooling
Stomach pain
Pale gums
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The PDSA article also notes that:
“Symptoms of a GDV tend to start very suddenly, and get worse quickly. Dogs are at more risk after they have eaten or drunk a lot, especially if they exercise straight afterwards.”
What should you do if you spot these symptoms and suspect GDV?
If you see these symptoms developing and suspect GDV, it’s crucial that you contact your vet straight away and seek emergency treatment for your dog. As noted by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, “Stabilization and surgery are best when performed early in the course of the disease since death (mortality) rates increase with the severity of disease” [3].
What can you do to prevent GDV?
Unfortunately, we still don’t have a good understanding of why GDV occurs, which makes it harder to actively prevent. That being said, there are some pieces of advice and knowledge that you can take on board which we do know to lower the risk of GDV in dogs.
Avoid exercise or travel after a meal
Intense exercise after a meal or even car travel have been linked to an increased risk of GDV. Make sure to plan around this - give your dog some buffer time to digest their meal before heading out to the park for a walk or game of ball!
Slow feeding
Gulping down food and water can increase the risk of GDV. If you have a dog who’s a bit of a frenzied eater, consider methods of feeding that encourage slower, calmer eating habits. This could include use of a puzzle bowl/feeder, scatter feeding, using fillable toys eg. a Kong, lickmats, or perhaps even just feeding smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.
It has also been demonstrated that feeding only one meal a day can increase the risk of GDV [2], so feeding 2x or more is beneficial when aiming to reduce that risk.
Feed from the floor
In the past, feeding dogs from a height to match their size was recommended, and you can find plenty of bowl risers for sale in pet shops and online. However, new advice now says that feeding from a height can increase the risk of GDV, and that feeding from the floor is safest for your dog’s health [3].
Feed a mix of wet and dry food
It has been shown that feeding just dry food can increase the risk of GDV, whereas a mix of wet and dry food decreases the risk [1][3].
Promote calmness and reduce stress
Nervous or excitable dogs are at a higher risk of developing GDV [1][2]. It’s a good idea to consider ways of reducing stress and encouraging calm in your dog’s daily life anyway, and doing so can also have a positive impact on their risk-level when it comes to this condition.
Be mindful of breed and size
Certain breeds are unfortunately more prone to GDV than others - according to the PDSA, “large, deep chested dogs such as Great Danes, German Shepherds and Greyhounds are most at risk of GDV.” [1] In fact, “in a recent study, the top three breeds found to be at risk of bloat were 1) Great Dane, 2) St. Bernard, and 3) Weimaraner.” [2]. With that in mind, it’s important to remember that any breed can contract GDV.
Additionally, “Dogs weighing over 100 pounds [45kg] have approximately a 20% risk of bloat during their lifetime” [2].
For more information, check out the PDSA’s page on GDV [1], the VCA Animal Hospital’s article [2], and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons’ page on GDV [3].