Canine gastric dilatation/volvulus syndrome in a veterinary critical care unit: 295 cases (1986–1992)

<jats:title>Summary</jats:title> <jats:p>Two hundred ninety-five case records were included in an analysis of dogs treated by a standardized protocol for gastric dilatation/volvulus syndrome between 1986 and 1992. A breed predisposition was demonstrated for Great Danes, German Shepherd Dogs, large mixed-breed dogs, and Standard Poodles. One hundred and ninety-three dogs had gastric dilatation and volvulus (<jats:sc>gdv</jats:sc>) confirmed at surgery, 66 had simple gastric dilatation (<jats:sc>gd</jats:sc>), and 36 others had gastric dilatation but volvulus could not be proved or disproved (<jats:sc>gd</jats:sc> ± <jats:sc>v</jats:sc>). Among dogs with <jats:sc>gdv</jats:sc>, the fatality rate was 15% (29/193). Twenty-six (13.5%) dogs with <jats:sc>gdv</jats:sc> underwent partial gastrectomy, and 8 (31%) died or were subsequently euthanatized. In comparing the group of dogs with <jats:sc>gdv</jats:sc> that survived to those that died, there were no statistical differences in the age of dog, time between onset of clinical signs and admission, time from admission to surgery, or duration of anesthesia. Cardiac arrhythmias were detected in 40% (78/193) of the dogs with <jats:sc>gdv</jats:sc>. There also was no statistical correlation between development of a cardiac arrhythmia and outcome in dogs with <jats:sc>gdv</jats:sc>. The causes of death in dogs with <jats:sc>gdv</jats:sc> were multiple and varied; presumed gastric necrosis was a common reason for intraoperative euthanasia (11 dogs). Among dogs with <jats:sc>gd</jats:sc> or <jats:sc>gd</jats:sc> ± <jats:sc>v</jats:sc>, the fatality rate was 0.9% (1/102).</jats:p>