Gastric dilatation-volvulus is associated with Poodle breeds, increased body size, and male sex, but not primary diet type or anxiety in the Dog Aging Project cohort.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to update prevalence and incidence data for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in companion dogs in the US and evaluate potential risk factors based on data from the Dog Aging Project. METHODS: A nested case-control study was performed within data collected from the 47,444 dogs enrolled in the Dog Aging Project from December 16, 2019, to December 31, 2023. Gastric dilatation-volvulus cases were selected by identifying dogs for which the owner had reported "bloat with torsion/GDV" or a description of GDV in the free text; control dogs without reported GDV history were selected at a 2.2:1 ratio. RESULTS: 170 dogs had an owner-reported GDV event. A total of 374 dogs were selected as a control population. The lifetime prevalence of GDV was 0.23%, and the incidence was 1.74/1,000 dog years at risk. Compared to controls, dogs at increased odds of GDV included those that were purebred, were male, had a body weight > 40 kg, had a low body condition score, and were Poodles/Poodle mixes. There was no increase in GDV odds associated with fearful/anxious behavior, neuter status, age at neuter, diet type, or number of meals fed per day. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of Poodles as the breed with the highest occurrence of GDV was novel. Increasing body size, low body condition score, and male sex were confirmed as risk factors for development of GDV, but this analysis failed to identify increased anxiety or diet as risk factors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Early identification of dogs at highest risk for GDV facilitates conversation with owners about prophylactic gastropexy and clinical signs of GDV.