Written by Dr Anabel Thomas, BSc BVMS, NSW V7155, Veterinary Surgeon at The Village Vet
Gastric dilatation-volvulus, commonly called GDV, gastric torsion or bloat, is a life-threatening condition that can develop very quickly. It occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, fluid or food and then twists on itself.
Large and deep-chested dogs are particularly at risk. For some dogs, a preventative procedure called a prophylactic gastropexy can greatly reduce the risk of the stomach twisting.
At The Village Vet, we can perform prophylactic gastropexy in-house, often during the same procedure as your dog’s desexing. This is a more advanced preventative surgery that is not routinely offered at every general veterinary practice.
What are the signs of bloat or GDV in dogs?
GDV is an emergency. Warning signs can include:
- Repeated retching or attempting to vomit without bringing anything up
- A swollen, tight or painful abdomen
- Excessive drooling
- Restlessness or pacing
- Panting or difficulty settling
- Pale gums
- Weakness or collapse
- Stretching forward with the chest lowered and hindquarters raised
If your dog displays these signs, contact your nearest veterinarian or emergency hospital immediately. Do not wait to see whether the symptoms resolve.
During our opening hours, contact The Village Vet at Killara on (02) 8350 5678 or Pymble on (02) 9499 4010.
What happens when a dog develops GDV?
The term “bloat” is sometimes used when the stomach becomes enlarged with gas, food or fluid. GDV occurs when the enlarged stomach also twists.
This twisting traps the stomach’s contents and restricts its blood supply. Pressure inside the abdomen can reduce blood flow back to the heart, affect breathing and damage the stomach and other organs.
Dogs with GDV require urgent stabilisation and emergency surgery. Once the dog is sufficiently stable, the stomach is returned to its normal position and assessed for damage. A gastropexy is then performed to attach the stomach to the abdominal wall and reduce the risk of it twisting again.
The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s guide to GDV and bloat provides further information about the condition and its emergency treatment.
Which dogs are at greater risk of GDV?
GDV can affect any dog, but it is much more common in large and giant breeds with deep, narrow chests.
Other factors that may increase a dog’s risk include:
- Having a parent or sibling that experienced GDV
- Older age
- Eating very quickly
- Eating one large meal each day
- A nervous or anxious temperament
- Exercising soon after eating
Breeds at particularly high risk
We strongly encourage owners of the following breeds to discuss GDV prevention and prophylactic gastropexy with their veterinarian:
- Great Dane
- Irish Wolfhound
- Weimaraner
- Standard Poodle
- Saint Bernard
- Gordon Setter
- Irish Setter
Great Danes have the highest documented risk. One published study estimated their lifetime risk of GDV at approximately 36.7%, which is close to one in three dogs.
Other breeds for which gastropexy may be considered
A preventative gastropexy may also be worth discussing for:
- German Shepherd
- Dobermann
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Rottweiler
- Boxer
- Bloodhound
- English Mastiff
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
Breed is not the only consideration. Your veterinarian will also assess your dog’s chest shape, family history, age, general health and individual risk factors.
What is a prophylactic gastropexy?
A prophylactic gastropexy is a planned preventative operation. During the procedure, the veterinarian surgically attaches part of the stomach to the inside of the abdominal wall.
This attachment helps prevent the stomach from twisting, which is the most dangerous part of GDV.
A gastropexy does not prevent the stomach from becoming bloated. A dog that has undergone the procedure may still experience gastric dilatation, so any possible warning signs should still be treated seriously. However, preventing the stomach from twisting greatly reduces the risk of a life-threatening GDV.
Can gastropexy be performed during desexing?
Yes. For a young dog with an increased GDV risk, a prophylactic gastropexy can often be performed under the same anaesthetic as desexing.
Combining the procedures means your dog has one planned anaesthetic and one recovery period rather than returning for a separate operation later.
Because gastropexy requires specific surgical experience, it is not routinely performed at every general veterinary practice. The Village Vet can perform an open prophylactic gastropexy in-house at our Sydney North Shore practices at Killara or Pymble, including at the time of desexing.
If a minimally invasive laparoscopic gastropexy is preferred, we can arrange referral to a trusted veterinary specialist.
Our team can discuss these options with you and recommend the most appropriate approach for your dog.
When is the best time for a preventative gastropexy?
The ideal time to discuss gastropexy is while your dog is still young, particularly when planning their desexing procedure.
It can also be performed as a separate operation in an adult dog if their breed, chest shape or family history places them at increased risk. Your veterinarian may recommend an examination and pre-anaesthetic blood testing before surgery.
If you have recently welcomed a large or deep-chested puppy, you can raise the subject during their vaccination or puppy health appointments. This gives you time to understand the options and plan ahead.
Can a dog still get bloat after a gastropexy?
Yes. Gastropexy helps prevent the stomach from twisting, but it does not prevent the stomach from filling with gas, food or fluid.
Owners should still know the signs of bloat and seek veterinary attention if their dog develops a swollen abdomen, repeated unproductive retching, severe restlessness, drooling, weakness or collapse.
Are there other ways to reduce the risk of GDV?
No single measure can completely prevent GDV, but owners of higher-risk dogs can take practical precautions:
- Divide food into two or more smaller meals each day
- Use an appropriate slow-feeding bowl if your dog eats very quickly
- Avoid strenuous exercise immediately after meals
- Learn the early warning signs of GDV
- Discuss any family history of GDV with your veterinarian
- Consider prophylactic gastropexy for dogs at increased risk
Does my dog need a preventative gastropexy?
Not every dog requires a gastropexy. However, it is worth discussing for giant breeds, deep-chested dogs and dogs with a close relative that has experienced GDV.
The Village Vet provides soft-tissue surgery and prophylactic gastropexy for dogs from Pymble, Killara and across Sydney’s North Shore.
Our veterinary team can assess your dog’s individual risk, explain the benefits and limitations of gastropexy, and discuss whether it could be performed at the same time as desexing.
To discuss preventative gastropexy for your dog, contact:
The Village Vet Killara: (02) 8350 5678
The Village Vet Pymble: (02) 9499 4010