Gastric dilatation and mesenteroaxial volvulus in a two-year-old German Shepherd

A 2-year-old male German Shepherd with a complaint of distended abdomen with gas, and difficulty in breathing was presented but died just before any intervention was given. Postmortem examination revealed sunken eye balls (an indication of dehydration). The heart was globous and the lumen of the left ventricle was distended with clotted blood. The gastroesophageal junction and the pyloric part of the duodenum were twisted to over 180o along the mesentery axis. The stomach was markedly distended and the serosa of the gastric mucosa was hyperemic. The mesenteric and splenic blood vessels were engorged with blood. The gastric content was fluidy and gas was expelled when the stomach was opened. The spleen was markedly enlarged (over 2 kg), appearing “C” shaped, and oozed blood when cut. The whole of the intestine was empty. These findings suggest urgent intervention should be given to dogs with pathologic distended abdomen and difficulty in breathing to reduce chances of mortality.