Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Stomach gas analyses in canine acute gastric dilatation with volvulus.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Van Kruiningen, H J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
In this study, researchers looked at the gas found in the stomachs of dogs suffering from a serious condition called acute gastric dilatation with volvulus (GDV), where the stomach becomes bloated and twists. They wanted to find out if the gas was caused by dogs swallowing air. They collected gas samples from ten dogs undergoing emergency surgery for GDV and analyzed them. The results showed that the gas contained a significant amount of carbon dioxide, which suggests that the bloating was not due to the dogs swallowing air. This means that other factors are likely responsible for the gas buildup in these cases.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The origin of the gas in the stomachs of dogs with acute gastric dilatation or gastric dilatation with volvulus (GDV) often is disputed. HYPOTHESIS: We tested the hypothesis that gaseous distention resulted from aerophagia. ANIMALS: Ten cases of GDV that were submitted to an emergency clinic were sampled intraoperatively. METHODS: With the abdomen open, the needle of a vacutainer blood collection set was inserted into the distended stomach, and gas was collected into 10 mL glass vacutainer vials with rubber stoppers. These were stored at room temperature for 1-7 days and then analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. RESULTS: CO2 composition ranged from 13 to 20%. One dog had an H2 concentration of 29%. CONCLUSIONS: Because the CO2 content of atmospheric air is less than 1%, these findings suggest that the gaseous gastric distention in GDV is not the result of aerophagia.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23869477/