Case Story: Mabel, the bouncy Boxer
Mabel, a lovely 4-year-old Boxer, was brought into our Portishead branch as an emergency out-of-hours one Sunday afternoon.
After an examination, it was found that Mabel was likely suffering from Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition commonly known as “bloat” or “twisted stomach”. This occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and food to several times its original size leading to the stomach rotating on itself, preventing the gas from escaping and cutting off blood supply to itself and other vital organs and major blood vessels in the abdomen. This is definitely one of the more serious conditions we see, and without immediate treatment, GDV can lead to shock and even death within hours.
After an X-ray was taken of Mabel’s abdomen to confirm the cause of the bloat, emergency surgery was performed to deflate and untwist her stomach. Thankfully, no serious damage to the stomach wall and other abdominal organs had been found, however early signs were already visible. The procedure, called a pexy, was then performed suturing the stomach to the abdominal wall, essentially fixing it in the correct position, and preventing the stomach from twisting again in the future.
Mabel recovered very well from the surgery and was allowed home after 2 days hospitalization.
GDV is most common in large and deep-chested breeds but can affect all breeds. It is unknown exactly why the stomach twists on itself but there are a few risk factors that have been suggested and should be avoided. These include feeding only one large meal a day and exercising directly before or after a meal.
Signs to look out for include:
- Restlessness or pacing
- Drooling excessively
- Abdominal bloating
- Vomiting or unproductive retching
- Rapid breathing or panting
As important as the quick recognition and treatment from the veterinary team was for Mabel, the outcome could have been very different had it not been for her owners who first noticed the signs and brought her in so quickly. Early intervention can make all the difference.
Today, Mabel is completely back to her usual bubbly and active self, enjoying life to the full!
