Cocker Update

The little guy went to radiology again last night, and a large fluid filled mass was found in the cranial abdomen. The veterinarian suspected GDV (gastric dilitation volvulous). This means that the stomach became full of air (usually from aerophagia) and then twisted upon itself. It is considered a medical emergency. This is a condition that ususally happens in large and giant breed dogs (ex. great danes), but it can happen in other breeds too. The veterinarian is considering emergency surgery. In surgery, the veterinarian will correct the twist and most likely suture the stomach to the body wall so this sort of thing won't happen again. When the stomach twists like that, arteries and veins are twisted as well which can cause a problem called hypovolemia due to the congestion of the blood caudal to the twist that can't get back to the heart. This can send the animal into shock. This is the first concern that must be resolved, because you do not send an animal into surgery that is in shock. I'm worred about the little cocker. Even with surgical management 25% of the cases don't make it. The picture below shows how the stomach twists on itself.



***** Final cocker update*** He didn't have to go to surgery. The doctor was able to decompress his stomach with a gastric tube, and he we home on Monday 2/23!