Belt Loop and Circumcostal Gastropexy Techniques of Canine Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: 4 Cases

Four dogs were presented with the history of progressive abdominal distension and regurgitation. Survey abdominal radiographs revealed gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) with a distended, gas-filled stomach and double bubbles. The mean time from onset of clinical signs to presentation to a clinic was 3.25 hours. In three dogs, orogastric tubes were inserted and their stomachs were decompressed. However, we failed to insert the tube in the remaining one dog. Among these four dogs, gastrotomy was performed in two dogs to remove the gastric contents and to decompress the stomach additionally during surgery. The dogs with GDV were treated with belt-loop gastropexy (n=3) or circumcostal gastropexy (n=1) to prevent recurrence. Necrosis of gastric or splenic tissues was not observed during surgical intervention. All four dogs recovered uneventfully, and no recurrence was found in long term follow-up during $1{\sim}3$ years.