Stomach gas analyses in canine acute gastric dilatation with volvulus.

Background: The origin of the gas in the stomachs of dogs with acute gastric dilatation or gastric dilatation with volvulus (GDV) often is disputed.

Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that gaseous distention resulted from aerophagia.

Animals: Ten cases of GDV that were submitted to an emergency clinic were sampled intraoperatively.

Methods: With the abdomen open, the needle of a vacutainer blood collection set was inserted into the distended stomach, and gas was collected into 10 mL glass vacutainer vials with rubber stoppers. These were stored at room temperature for 1-7 days and then analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy.

Results: CO2 composition ranged from 13 to 20%. One dog had an H2 concentration of 29%.

Conclusions: Because the CO2 content of atmospheric air is less than 1%, these findings suggest that the gaseous gastric distention in GDV is not the result of aerophagia.