Dilatation and gastric volvulus with liquid content in dogs: anatomopathological characterization of three cases.

Abstract

Gastric dilatation-volvulus is an acute condition charac-terized by the rotation of the stomach in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, usually associated with rapid ingestion of food or water followed by physical activity. This study describes three cases of large or giant breed dogs that experienced sudden death and were diagnosed post mortem with gastric dilatation and volvulus caused by liquid content, a condition rarely reported in the literature. The cases involved a Belgian Malinois (2 years), a Newfoundland (8 years), and a German Shepherd (14 years). In all animals, the stomach showed marked dilatation and rotation between 180 and 270°, with a large amount of intragastric liquid and compression of adjacent structures, resulting in shock and sudden death. Rapid and excessive ingestion of liquids may be associated with these cases, highlighting the importance of advising dog owners on proper water management and considering environmental factors, such as high temperatures, which may contribute to the development of gastric dilatation-volvulus.