Gastric dilatation-volvulus syndrome: Outcome and factors associated with perioperative mortality

Abstract

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) or gastric dilatation (GD), were diagnosed in 173 dogs during the period from 1997 to 2001. Risk factors possibly associated with higher mortality in cases of GDV were evaluated. Variables suitable for quantitative evaluation were examined by the Student's t- test with regard to the risk of death. We characterised groups of dogs with potential risk factors (age, body weight, time lapsed from the last feeding until presentation, time lapsed from the onset of clinical signs until presentation, time lapsed from the last feeding until the onset of clinical signs), and compared the groups with regard to the risk of death, using the χ2- test. There were no differences between the dying and surviving patients as to their age, body weight and time lapsed from the last feeding until the onset of clinical signs. The time lapsed from the onset of clinical signs until presentation at the clinic was a significant factor associated with a lower survival rate. Mortality in dogs with GDV was 26.3% (36/137). Significantly higher mortality (p < 0.01) was found in dogs with gastric necrosis. Gastric necrosis in dogs with GDV is responsible for a 6.5 times higher risk of death compared to patients without gastric necrosis. There was also higher mortality in dogs after splenectomy (p < 0.05). Results of our study suggest that the most important prognostic factor is a timely treatment following the onset of clinical signs of GDV.