Death rates and survival in dogs with stomach twisting (GDV)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The primary study objective was to characterize the pattern of in-hospital mortality in dogs with gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), with a focus on preoperative nonsurvival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records from a 10-year period was undertaken at a university teaching hospital. Data collected included signalment, physical examination parameters at hospital presentation, blood lactate concentration, and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 498 dogs were included. Overall, 319 (64.1%) survived to discharge and 179 (35.9%) were nonsurvivors. Of the nonsurvivors, 149 (31.3% of all dogs) were euthanized and 30 (6%) died. Of those dogs euthanized, the majority (n = 116) were euthanized at the time of hospital presentation prior to surgery (ie, without intent to treat). When dogs that were euthanized prior to surgery were excluded, 83.5% of dogs survived to discharge. Median group age was higher in those euthanized than in the group of dogs that survived to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative euthanasia and hence nonsurvival without intent to treat accounted for the majority of GDV mortality in this study. Given the high rate of nonsurvival without intent to treat it is likely that efforts focused at disease prevention will ultimately affect a much greater improvement in overall disease mortality than those focused on improving treatment.