Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a very serious condition that occurs in many large deep chested dogs when the stomach becomes distended with air, and then whilst enlarged, twists on itself. This interferes with the blood supply to the stomach and other digestive organs, and blocks the passage of food, leading to worse bloat. The distended stomach impedes the normal return of blood to the heart, causing drastically reduced cardiac output and a decrease in blood pressure. Blood/oxygen-deprived tissues start to die, releasing toxins into the blood stream which among other adverse effects, cause serious disturbances in heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias) – a common cause of death in these dogs.

Simple gastric dilatation does not produce volvulus (twisting) in an otherwise normal stomach. Dogs most susceptible to GDV are the large, deep-chested breeds, in whom the stomach appears to be more mobile within the abdomen. Other factors that increase the risk for GDV include overeating, rapid eating, single daily feeding, high water consumption, stress, and exercise after eating.

What does gastric dilatation-volvulus mean to your dog & you?

GDV is one of those thankfully rare conditions in which your dog can go from being healthy to critically ill over the course of a few hours. Even with appropriate veterinary care, approximately one third of dogs with this condition will die

When gas first starts to accumulate in the stomach, the dog will appear slightly uncomfortable. The stomach then starts to dilate (gastric dilation) and the dog will become anxious and restless, often pacing, and the stomach may be swollen. He may also try to vomit, but will only bring up a white foam, no food.

The next stage is when the stomach twists (gastric volvulus) and the dog becomes extremely restless, whining and panting as well as salivating and trying to vomit every few minutes. He may go on to stand with his legs apart and hang his head down. The stomach is swollen and sounds hollow if tapped.

When the blood supply is cut off, organs become compressed and shock can begin to develop. The dog is unable to stand, or stands very shakily, with his legs apart. The stomach is very swollen and breathing is shallow.

The final stage is shock and heart failure develops, the dogs gums are white or blue and death is imminent.

How is gastric dilatation-volvulus diagnosed?

GDV must be diagnosed and treatment initiated quickly if your dog is to survive. The condition is usually readily diagnosed on physical examination. The best chance a dog has of surviving is immediate veterinary attention. Sadly, even with treatment, a large percentage of dogs still die, some survive surgery but then die of the shock after treatment.

Your veterinarian must relieve the pressure, decompressing either by using a stomach tube or inserting a large needle into the stomach to release the gas. The less time the pressure is on the stomach and organs the better the dog’s chances of survival. Once the dog is stabile, x-rays are taken to determine whether a torsion is present. If it is, then surgery is performed to untwist the stomach, which is then stitched to the abdominal wall to prevent reoccurrence.

How is gastric dilatation-volvulus treated?

Your veterinarian must relieve the pressure, decompressing either by using a stomach tube or inserting a large needle into the stomach to release the gas. The less time the pressure is on the stomach and organs the better the dog’s chances of survival. Once the dog is stabile, x-rays are taken to determine whether a torsion is present. If it is, then surgery is performed to untwist the stomach, which is then stitched to the abdominal wall to prevent reoccurrence.

Intensive care is required in the immediate post-operative period when dogs may face a number of life-threatening problems including shock, electrolyte imbalance, cardiac arrhythmias, and wide-spread infection (septicemia).

Prevention – There are some simple things you can do to reduce the chance of bloat. Basically, you want to avoid your dog consuming a large amount of food or water all at once, especially not at the same time as vigorous exercise. Rather than feeding once a day or leaving food always available, feed in divided portions. Avoid exercising your dog before and after meal times.

Most important of all, ensure you know and can recognise the symptoms of bloat and act quickly by taking him to the vet immediately.

Cardiomyopathy refers to disease of the heart muscle (the myocardium) without malformation of the heart or its valves. There is a breed predisposition to dilated cardiomyopathy in giant breeds. Cardiomyopathy can also develop as a result of some toxins or infections.

There are three type of Cardiomyopathy, but dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is by far the most common type in Great Danes. There is dilation of the chambers of the ventricles of the heart with some increase (hypertrophy) in the heart muscle mass, and a loss of the normal contracting abilities of the ventricles.

The heart works harder to compensate for the loss of contractility, eventually leading to congestive heart failure. The abnormalities in the heart muscle cells give rise to irregular heart rhythms which may cause sudden death.
How is cardiomyopathy inherited?

The pattern of inheritance is not yet know, but there is evidence to suggest that its more common in males.
What does cardiomyopathy mean for you and your dog?

Danes with dilated cardiomyopathy typically show signs associated with abnormalities of heart rhythm (particularly atrial fibrillation) and generalized heart failure. These signs may include weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, episodes of collapse, respiratory difficulties, a soft cough (especially at rest), and an enlarged abdomen. There is severe enlargement of all 4 chambers of the heart. Dogs are affected in middle-age on average, although they may be affected as early as a few months of age. Abnormalities may be seen on an electrocardiogram before there are any clinical signs.

For all Danes with dilated cardiomyopathy, the arrhythmias that can cause fainting or collapse can also cause sudden death. Up to 50% of affected dogs die suddenly, often without having shown any other signs of the disorder.
Once dogs with cardiomyopathy develop congestive heart failure, the prognosis is poor.

How is Cardiomyopathy diagnosed?
X-rays generally show an enlarged heart, predominantly on the left side.
There may however be no abnormalities on radiographs, on physical exam, or on the resting electrogardiogram. A heart scan (echo) is the only way to definitively diagnose DCM. If cardiomyopathy is suspected and all routine diagnostic tests are normal, a 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiogram ( a Holter monitor) is recommended. The unobtrusive monitor is worn by the dog during its normal activities, and records irregular heart rhythms.

How is Cardiomyopathy treated
Decisions about treatment are based on several factors: whether the dog is showing clinical signs such as weakness or collapse, what arrhythmias are seen on the electrocardiogram, and whether congestive heart failure is present. If your dog has an abnormal heart rhythm without any evidence of congestive heart failure, your veterinarian may prescribe anti-arrhythmic drugs, depending on the severity of the arrhythmia.

Episodes of collapse indicate a serious arrhythmia and must be treated as an emergency.
Treatment for dogs with signs of congestive heart failure involves rest, diet restrictions, and drugs to stabilize and support the failing heart as well as to control the arrhythmias. If low doses of anti-arrhythmic drugs are effective, then the heart can often be stabilized. Serious ventricular arrhythmias that can only be controlled by high doses of anti-arrhythmic drugs have a poorer prognosis.

Breeding advice
Affected individuals and their parents should not be used for breeding. Siblings should only be used after careful screening.

How can Cardiomyopathy be controlled
X-rays generally show an enlarged heart, predominantly on the left side.
There may however be no abnormalities on radiographs, on physical exam, or on the resting electrogardiogram. A heart scan (echo) is the only way to definitively diagnose DCM. If cardiomyopathy is suspected and all routine diagnostic tests are normal, a 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiogram ( a Holter monitor) is recommended. The unobtrusive monitor is worn by the dog during its normal activities, and records irregular heart rhythms.

Wobblers Syndrome is a “condition” rather than a single cause disease. It can be cause by several factors: genetics, nutrition, metabolism, injury, trauma …and poor structural design (engineering problems). Dogs suffer from spinal cord compression caused by cervical vertebral instability or from a malformed spinal canal. Extreme symptoms are paralysis of the limbs (front, hind or all 4). Neck pain with extension and flexion may or may not be present. Surgical therapy is hotly debated and in some surgically treated cases, clinical recurrence has been identified.

Osteochondritis dissecans, commonly known as OCD, is a disease of the cartilage that can affect various joints in a dog. In any joint in the body, two bones come together and movement is allowed between them. Where the two bones meet an exceptionally smooth area of cartilage covers their surfaces. This acts as a cushion and protects the underlying bone. If anything disrupts this smooth cartilage surface, movement of the joint becomes painful. In a dog with OCD, this cartilage is damaged or grows abnormally. Instead of being attached to the bone it covers, it separates or cracks. A loose flap of cartilage may form, or an entire piece may break loose.

It tends affects male dogs more frequently than females, most likely due to the males’ larger size and increased stress on the joint. It generally occurs when the animal is between 4 and 12 months of age, though it can show up in older dogs.

OCD may affect the shoulder, elbow, knee or hock, although the shoulder is most commonly affected. The symptoms are lameness in the affected limb. Some dogs have a barely noticeable limp and others are unable to bear any weight on the leg. The lameness tends to worsen after periods of exercise and improves after rest. When it affects the shoulder, a shortened forelimb stride may be noted due to reluctance to flex and extend the shoulder joint. Occasionally, the disease will affect both limbs simultaneously and the dog may be reluctant to move.

The cause of OCD is considered to be multifactorial. It is thought that there are several factors that contribute to the formation of OCD lesions including trauma to the joint, genetics, rapid growth, hormone imbalances, and nutrition.