Health Condition

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus

A life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and twists, cutting off blood supply.

Detailed Description

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) involves rapid accumulation of gas in the stomach, followed by twisting (volvulus), which cuts off blood supply and can quickly lead to shock and death if not treated immediately. Deep-chested breeds are at increased risk.

Common Symptoms

Sudden abdominal distension
Unproductive retching
Restlessness
Drooling
Rapid progression to shock

Management Options

Immediate emergency surgery (gastropexy)
Supportive care (IV fluids, decompression)

Frequently Asked Questions

What breeds are at risk for bloat?

Deep-chested breeds are at higher risk for GDV.

Can bloat be prevented?

Risk can be reduced with feeding management and prophylactic surgery in high-risk dogs.

Condition Details

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Typical Age of Onset

Middle-aged to older dogs (4+ years)

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Testing Available

No

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Diagnosing Methods

Physical examination; Abdominal radiographs

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Preventative Measures

Prophylactic gastropexy in high-risk dogs; Feeding smaller, more frequent meals; Avoiding exercise after eating

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Related Conditions

Gastric dilation without volvulus, Acute gastritis

Affected Breeds

Airedale Terrier

Prevalence: 3% Severity: 5/5

Airedale Terriers' deep chest conformation increases their risk for GDV compared to many breeds. Sudden restlessness and abdominal discomfort after eating are early warning signs.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Breed is considered at higher risk due to size and chest conformation. Restlessness and retching after eating in a large, deep-chested dog are early warning signs.

Azawakh

As a deep-chested breed, Azawakhs may be at risk for GDV, though no breed-specific prevalence data exists.

Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound

Risk is higher than average for medium/large deep-chested breeds. Sudden restlessness and abdominal discomfort after eating are early warning signs.

Beauceron

Prevalence: 7.5% Severity: 5/5

Beaucerons are at higher risk due to their large, deep-chested conformation. Sudden restlessness and abdominal discomfort after eating are early warning signs.

Belgian Tervuren

Prevalence: 1.5% Severity: 5/5

Higher than average risk due to deep chest; sudden abdominal discomfort, pacing, and drooling are early signs.

Bloodhound

Prevalence: 6.7% Severity: 5/5

Bloodhounds are among the breeds with the highest risk for GDV, with rapid progression and high fatality if untreated.

Borzoi

Prevalence: 6.5% Severity: 5/5

Borzoi are among the top 10 breeds at risk for GDV due to their deep-chested conformation.

Briard

Briards, as a large, deep-chested breed, are at higher risk for GDV compared to the general canine population.

Broholmer

Prevalence: 3.5% Severity: 5/5

Broholmers are at higher risk for GDV due to their size and deep-chested conformation.

Bullmastiff

Prevalence: 6% Severity: 5/5

Bullmastiffs are at higher risk for GDV due to their large, deep-chested conformation.

Cane Corso

Prevalence: 6% Severity: 5/5

Cane Corsos are considered at higher risk for GDV due to their size and deep chest.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Prevalence: 5% Severity: 5/5

Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, as a large and deep-chested breed, have a higher than average risk for GDV compared to the general canine population.

Chow Chow

Chow Chows are at increased risk for GDV due to their deep-chested conformation.

Estrela Mountain Dog

Estrela Mountain Dogs are at higher risk for GDV due to their large size and deep chest conformation. Sudden restlessness and abdominal discomfort after eating are early warning signs.

Eurasier

Prevalence: 3% Severity: 5/5

Eurasiers have a higher than average risk due to deep chest conformation. Sudden restlessness and abdominal discomfort after meals may be early warning signs.

German Shepherd Dog

Prevalence: 4.6% Severity: 5/5

German Shepherd Dogs are among the top breeds at risk for GDV, with a much higher lifetime risk than average.

German Shorthaired Pointer

Prevalence: 5% Severity: 5/5

Estimated lifetime risk in GSPs is 3-5%, higher than average for all breeds due to deep-chested conformation.

Gordon Setter

Prevalence: 5% Severity: 5/5

Gordon Setters, as a deep-chested breed, are at increased risk for GDV compared to the general dog population.

Great Dane

Prevalence: 29% Severity: 5/5

Great Danes have the highest breed risk for GDV, with a lifetime risk of nearly 1 in 3. The condition can occur at a younger age than in most other breeds.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Prevalence: 7.5% Severity: 5/5

GSMDs are at much higher risk for GDV due to their deep-chested conformation; breed club surveys estimate a lifetime risk of 5–10%.

Greyhound

Greyhounds, as deep-chested dogs, are at increased risk for GDV compared to the general canine population.

Irish Setter

Prevalence: 6% Severity: 5/5

Irish Setters are among the top breeds at risk for GDV due to their deep-chested conformation.

Irish Wolfhound

Prevalence: 12.5% Severity: 5/5

Irish Wolfhounds are among the top breeds for GDV risk due to their deep-chested conformation.

Komondor

Komondors are at higher risk for GDV due to their large size and deep chest. Sudden restlessness and abdominal discomfort after eating are early warning signs.

Kuvasz

Kuvasz are at higher risk for GDV due to their large, deep-chested conformation. Sudden restlessness and abdominal swelling after eating are early warning signs.

Mastiff

Prevalence: 4.2% Severity: 5/5

Mastiffs are among the top 10 breeds at risk for GDV due to their size and deep chest. Prophylactic gastropexy is strongly recommended.

Neapolitan Mastiff

Neapolitan Mastiffs are at much higher than average risk for GDV due to their large, deep-chested conformation.

Newfoundland

Prevalence: 4.2% Severity: 5/5

Newfoundlands are at higher risk for GDV due to their large, deep-chested conformation.

Otterhound

Otterhounds are at higher risk due to their deep chest conformation; GDV is a leading cause of death in large, deep-chested breeds.

Perro de Presa Canario

Large, deep-chested breeds like the Presa Canario are at increased risk for GDV compared to the general canine population.

Plott Hound

Plott Hounds are at higher risk due to their deep-chested conformation. Sudden restlessness and abdominal discomfort after eating are early warning signs.

Poodle (Standard)

Prevalence: 6.5% Severity: 5/5

Standard Poodles are at higher risk for GDV due to their deep-chested conformation, with a lifetime risk estimated at 5–8%.

Porcelaine

Higher than average due to deep chest conformation.

Pyrenean Mastiff

Pyrenean Mastiffs are at higher risk due to their giant size and deep chest. Sudden restlessness and abdominal discomfort after eating are early warning signs.

Rafeiro do Alentejo

Rafeiro do Alentejo is at increased risk due to size and chest conformation, similar to other giant breeds.

Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog

Prevalence: 7.5% Severity: 5/5

Due to size and chest conformation, the breed is at increased risk compared to the general canine population.

Saint Bernard

Prevalence: 21.8% Severity: 5/5

Saint Bernards have one of the highest lifetime risks for GDV among all breeds.

Scottish Deerhound

Prevalence: 12.5% Severity: 5/5

Scottish Deerhounds are at much higher risk for GDV due to their deep-chested conformation and breed predisposition.

Sloughi

Sloughis are at increased risk for GDV due to their deep-chested conformation. Prompt recognition and intervention are critical.

Slovensky Cuvac

The Slovensky Cuvac is considered at increased risk for GDV due to its large size and deep chest. Early warning signs include non-productive retching and sudden abdominal distension.

Spanish Mastiff

Spanish Mastiffs are at higher risk for GDV due to their large size and deep chest conformation.

Spinone Italiano

Spinone Italiano, as a large, deep-chested breed, is at higher risk for GDV compared to the general dog population.

Tornjak

Tornjaks, like other large, deep-chested breeds, are at higher risk for GDV. Owners should be aware of early signs and emergency protocols.

Tosa

Prevalence: 7.5% Severity: 5/5

Tosas are at higher risk for GDV due to their size and deep chest, similar to other giant breeds. Sudden, unproductive retching and abdominal swelling after meals are key early warning signs.

Transylvanian Hound

Sporadic cases reported in breed club surveys; risk is average for medium/large deep-chested breeds.

Weimaraner

Prevalence: 5.7% Severity: 5/5

Weimaraners are among the top 10 breeds at risk for GDV, with a significantly higher risk than average. Sudden anxiety, pacing, and abdominal discomfort after eating are early warning signs.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Higher than average risk due to deep chest conformation; sudden restlessness and abdominal swelling after eating are early signs.

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