Epidemiology of gastric dilatation-volvulus in the military working dog program.

Examination of case records of 914 military working dogs which died during the period January 1, 1987-December 31, 1989, revealed 31 deaths (3.4%) due to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) or its complications. The fata episode of GDV was the only reported occurrence of this condition in 81% of the dogs. Male German shepherd dogs, 6-10 years of age, that were fed a medicated high-energy ration once per day, predominated. Dogs in this study that had a prior history of acute gastric dilatation (AGD) or GDV, and that were decompressed by non-surgical means, eventually died of GDV. A comparison with dogs surviving an AGD or GDV episode from the same time period showed most to have had surgical decompression and gastropexy.