Observations and analysis of risk factors for GDV in a single institution: a case-control study

Abstract

Objective To evaluate/ determine the risk factors for dogs presented with Gastric Dilation- Volvulus (GDV) to a referral veterinary centre and to compare the results with those currently reported in veterinary literature. Materials and Methods The observational case-control study comprised a population of 215 dogs that attended the referral centre between 2000 and 2018. Medical records were searched for GDV and those matching the criteria were manually reviewed. A questionnaire was completed by the owners of the dogs involved in the study (both case and control populations) in order to gain further information that could be considered relevant to GDVs. In particular, information included the dogs’ behaviour and the dogs daily activities. Results The study included 115 cases of GDV and 115 controls. Out of the GDV dogs 13% (15/115) were small breed dogs and the remaining 87% (100/115) either large or giant breeds. The following risk factors for developing a GDV have been identified: Purebred dogs over 3 years old and either large of giant breeds, weighing > 30 kg. Foreign body ingestion, diarrhoea, and grass consumption were also associated to increase the likelihood in developing GDV. Behavioural temperament was not associated with developing GDV. Clinical Significance The findings support previously identified risk factors in the development of GDV, but characteristics related to the dogs temperament warrant further investigation. Knowledge of these results will further allow clinicians to make evidence‐based recommendations to owners in attempting to prevent GDV in dogs. Furthermore this paper confirms that the risk of GDV in certain breeds and in certain conditions is always high and that GDV is still an extremely current disease.

Gastric dilatation and volvulus in a 10‐week‐old Pembroke Welsh Corgi with renal dysplasia

“…8 Small breed dogs are nevertheless susceptible to GDV; occurrence has been recorded in the Shih-tzu, Daschund and Griffin among others. 9 The specific aetiology is incompletely understood. 3 Documented risk factors include large or giant purebreeds, increasing age, neutered males, a history of GDV in a first degree relative, aggressive or fearful temperament, increased thoracic depth to width ratio, feeding fewer meals per day, eating rapidly, decreased food particle size, increased hepatogastric ligament length, a raised feeding bowl and exercise or stress before or after a meal.…”

“…Dogs weighing 30–39.9 kg have been documented to have 38.5 times the odds of having a presumptive GDV than dogs weighing less than 10 kg 8 . Small breed dogs are nevertheless susceptible to GDV; occurrence has been recorded in the Shih‐tzu, Daschund and Griffin among others 9 …”

Reporte de caso: dilatación vólvulo gástrico y peritonitis biliar en un canino de 5 meses

“…En los factores extrínsecos se incluyen variables vinculadas principalmente a la conducta alimentaria de los pacientes, destacándose por ejemplo cantidades abundantes de comida por ración, ingesta acelerada (ligada a la aerofagia), partículas de alimento muy pequeñas y situaciones de estrés fisiológico post ingestión (por ejemplo, ejercicio intenso o convivencia con otros animales) (Tivers & Brockman, 2009;Uhrikova et al, 2016;Virgilio et al, 2020).…”