Topics in Compan An Med 29 (2014) 59
Topical Review
Foreword Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) or in layman's terms “bloat” is a condition that primarily affects large- and giant-breed dogs. The last 30 years have seen tremendous advances in the preoperative stabilization of dogs with GDV, as well as surgical and postsurgical interventions. GDV has moved from a dreaded, nearly unsurvivable, condition to one with survival rates of more than 80% in treated dogs. However, this is not enough! Dogs still die of GDV at home before their owners have a chance to seek veterinary care, dogs with GDV are euthanized in emergency rooms when their families are unable to afford the cost of surgery, and still other dogs with GDV die despite the most aggressive in-hospital care possible. We look to research in the next 10 years to help us better understand why and how this disease occurs, so that we can ultimately prevent it. In this issue of Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, we are delighted to bring you the latest insights into GDV, as well as a taste of what the future holds in further unlocking the mysteries of GDV. Our first 2 articles describe GDV epidemiology and pathophysiology; focusing on what we know about the heritability of GDV by noted veterinary geneticist Dr. Jerry Bell and addressing the link between gastric motility and the risk of developing GDV by Drs. Nelson and Gazzola. Drs. Hughes, Mooney, and Raw from Australia
http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.tcam.2014.09.008 1527-3369/& 2014 Topics in Companion Animal Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc.
have written an article evaluating the role of lactate as a biomarker in dogs with GDV, both for its prognostic utility and to guide therapy. Lactate is particularly exciting as biomarker in GDV, but its use should be tempered with an understanding of the pros and cons of its interpretation. Additionally, as recognition of GDV as a systemic disease has increased, so too has our ability to appropriately care for these critically ill patients; 2 articles in this issue address the systemic effects as well as the aftercare of dogs with GDV. Finally, we address techniques for gastropexy and further explore how for individual dogs, prophylactic gastropexy can be life saving. This is an exciting time for GDV research as well, the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation has recently funded nearly half of a million dollars in research aimed at developing a better understanding of bloat. We look for these studies, led by principal investigators Dr. Laura Nelson of Michigan State University and Dr. Claire Sharp of Tufts University to help elucidate GDV pathogenesis and suggest preventative strategies beyond prophylactic gastropexy. Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM, Claire Sharp, BVMS, MS Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
Topical Review
Foreword Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) or in layman's terms “bloat” is a condition that primarily affects large- and giant-breed dogs. The last 30 years have seen tremendous advances in the preoperative stabilization of dogs with GDV, as well as surgical and postsurgical interventions. GDV has moved from a dreaded, nearly unsurvivable, condition to one with survival rates of more than 80% in treated dogs. However, this is not enough! Dogs still die of GDV at home before their owners have a chance to seek veterinary care, dogs with GDV are euthanized in emergency rooms when their families are unable to afford the cost of surgery, and still other dogs with GDV die despite the most aggressive in-hospital care possible. We look to research in the next 10 years to help us better understand why and how this disease occurs, so that we can ultimately prevent it. In this issue of Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, we are delighted to bring you the latest insights into GDV, as well as a taste of what the future holds in further unlocking the mysteries of GDV. Our first 2 articles describe GDV epidemiology and pathophysiology; focusing on what we know about the heritability of GDV by noted veterinary geneticist Dr. Jerry Bell and addressing the link between gastric motility and the risk of developing GDV by Drs. Nelson and Gazzola. Drs. Hughes, Mooney, and Raw from Australia
http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.tcam.2014.09.008 1527-3369/& 2014 Topics in Companion Animal Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc.
have written an article evaluating the role of lactate as a biomarker in dogs with GDV, both for its prognostic utility and to guide therapy. Lactate is particularly exciting as biomarker in GDV, but its use should be tempered with an understanding of the pros and cons of its interpretation. Additionally, as recognition of GDV as a systemic disease has increased, so too has our ability to appropriately care for these critically ill patients; 2 articles in this issue address the systemic effects as well as the aftercare of dogs with GDV. Finally, we address techniques for gastropexy and further explore how for individual dogs, prophylactic gastropexy can be life saving. This is an exciting time for GDV research as well, the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation has recently funded nearly half of a million dollars in research aimed at developing a better understanding of bloat. We look for these studies, led by principal investigators Dr. Laura Nelson of Michigan State University and Dr. Claire Sharp of Tufts University to help elucidate GDV pathogenesis and suggest preventative strategies beyond prophylactic gastropexy. Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM, Claire Sharp, BVMS, MS Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
