Acute gastric dilatation associated with gastric volvulus in the guinea pig.

During an 18-month period, gastric dilatation was recognized in six guinea pigs from a colony with a monthly average of 253 animals. All of the affected guinea pigs were breeders and ranged in age from 8 to 26 months. Clinical signs were tachycardia, dyspnea, cyanosis, and marked abdominal distention. Macroscopic lesions included gastric volvulus, gastric dilatation, and splenic congestion.