C. Acute Gastric Dilatation – Volvulus (GDV) in DOGS

1. Sudden, dramatic, and often fatal

2. Primarily affects large, deep-chested breeds (German Shepherd, Irish Setter, Great Dane, St. Bernard)

3. About 60,000 cases each year, with 20% mortality

4. All ages are affected, but primarily older dogs

5. Etiology

a. Gastric dilatation (rapid distention of the stomach with food, fluid or gas)

i Swallowed air

ii Fermentation

iii Combination of the above two

b. may progress to volvulus (twisting of the intestine to cause obstruction) Steadmans 1570 – picture

c. distention of the stomach causes it rotate left or right (usually left – clockwise)

6. Cause – Much debate and unknown causes, but some factors include:

a. dry cereal based odg food

b. stress

c. overeating and(or) drinking

d. intragastric fermentation

e. previous gastric “trauma”

f. postparandial exercise and excitement

7. The distended stomach:

a. occludes (blocks) venous return from the rear of the animal

b. as a result hypovolemic (reduced blood volume) and cardiogenic (reduced cardiac output) shock causes death

8. Treatment

a. Gastric intubation (stomach tube)

b. vigorous fluid therapy

c. i.v. cimetidine (10 mg/kg qid or tid) and lidocaine (1 mg/kg)

d. gastrostomy (opening into the stomach)

D. Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS) {idiopathic Lower Urinary Tract Disease (LUTD)}

1. Symptoms – clinical signs

a. Urolithiasis (calculi in urinary tract)

b. Frequent (attempts) urination

c. Urogenital pain

2. Etiology

a. Increase urinary pH (alkaline) causes struvite to precipitate out of solution

b. Struvite is the major mineral component in most calculi found in FUS

i Oxalates, (Ca, and others)

c. The calculi formation continues until excessive “crystals” form that partially or totally block the urogenital tract

d. The calculi are most commonly struvite (Mg), but can also be Ca, P, and other minerals

e. Reduced urine volume can concentrate the calculi, compounding the problem

3. Treatment

a. Obstructed cases

i Relieve the obstruction – ANESTHESIA

ii Flushing the urethra with catheter and syringe

iii Ultrasonography

iv Catherization of urethra

b. Mild cases, copious fluid therapy and urine acidifiers

i Fluids to “flush” the calculi

ii Acidifiers to reduce urine pH

(i) Ammonia Chloride (1000 mg/d or 1.5% diet can be toxic)

(ii) Methionine

4. Prevention

a. Feed low ash diets

b. Feed low Mg diets

c. Cats predisposed to problems (neutered males) feed urine acidifiers, or diets containing acidifiers.