Gastric dilatation in a bulldog
Sheard, A.L.; Harrington, M.G.
Veterinary Record 127(11): 291
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 2238408 Document Number: 357314
A 7-year-old neutered male bulldog which had not been fed for 24 hours drank a normal volume of water after returning from a walk. Shortly afterwards it vomited profusely a bile-stained fluid and quickly developed signs of abnormal bloat and depression. A few minutes later it collapsed. Clinical examination revealed severe dyspnoea, a delayed capillary refill time and pallor of mucous membranes. After percutaneous gastric decompression a gastrotomy was performed. Large volumes of gas and mucoid colourless liquid were emptied from the stomach. There was no torsion. Postoperative recovery was rapid. The owner was advised to make the dog drink small volumes frequently rather than allow the habit of drinking once daily which it had done before the dilatation.