Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Laparoscopic repositioning of chronic gastric volvulus in a dog.
- Journal:
- Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
- Year:
- 2018
- Authors:
- Van Heerden, Frans G et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old spayed female Newfoundland dog was brought to the vet because she had been vomiting without bringing anything up, regurgitating, and coughing for six weeks. During the exam, she seemed very tired, but other tests showed no major issues. X-rays and a CT scan revealed that her stomach was in an unusual position and she had a condition called megaesophagus, along with some pneumonia caused by inhaling food or liquid. The vets performed a laparoscopic surgery to correct the stomach's position and secured it in place, which initially stopped her vomiting and regurgitation. However, just a day after going home, her condition worsened due to the pneumonia, and the owner chose to euthanize her instead of pursuing further treatment.
Abstract
A 12-year-old spayed Newfoundland bitch was presented with chronic non-productive vomiting, regurgitation and coughing of six weeks' duration. On clinical examination, the dog was depressed with no other significant findings. Haematology and biochemistry investigations detected no abnormalities. Thoracic and abdominal radiographs revealed a megaoesophagus and an abnormally positioned pylorus. A thoracic and abdominal computed tomography scan confirmed the abnormal position of the stomach, together with moderate aspiration pneumonia. Laparoscopic examination of the peritoneal cavity revealed the greater omentum wrapped over the stomach, with a fold visualised between the abnormally positioned pyloric antrum and the gastric corpus. A 180-degree clockwise gastric rotation was laparoscopically diagnosed and corrected. The normal position of the stomach was confirmed before a laparoscopic-assisted incisional gastropexy was performed. Post-operatively the vomiting and regurgitation resolved and the patient was discharged. Twenty-four hours after discharge, the dog was presented with deteriorating clinical signs of aspiration pneumonia. The owner declined treatment, additional diagnostics as well as a necropsy and requested euthanasia. Chronic gastric volvulus should be considered as a rare differential diagnosis in dogs with non-specific, chronic gastrointestinal signs. Radiography, computed tomography and laparoscopy are valuable diagnostic aids in making this diagnosis. Chronic gastric volvulus can be successfully reduced laparoscopically as reported here for the first time.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30456979/