At VetTriage, our ability to provide life-saving virtual care is rooted in the deep, real-world clinical experience of our veterinary team. When a pet owner connects with us, they need to know the person on the other side of the screen can instantly recognize a true emergency.
There is perhaps no condition where seconds matter more than Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), commonly known as “bloat.”
Our founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shadi Ireifej, DACVS-SA, recently authored a comprehensive clinical guide on GDV for Vetpocket, a leading educational resource for veterinary professionals. Drawing on his extensive background as a board-certified small animal surgeon, Dr. Shadi breaks down exactly what happens when this acute, life-threatening condition strikes.
“Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) syndrome is an acute, life-threatening condition requiring immediate emergency surgical intervention. Intervention includes stabilization, decompression, derotation, and gastropexy. Every second counts!”
The article takes a deep dive into the pathophysiology of GDV, explaining how gastric rotation leads to obstructive shock, identifying breed predispositions, and outlining the surgical interventions required to save a patient’s life.
While the guide is written as a clinical companion for veterinary professionals, it serves as a powerful reminder of why immediate, expert triage is so vital. Catching the signs of GDV early and getting a dog to an emergency room immediately is the difference between life and death.
Read Dr. Shadi’s full clinical breakdown of GDV on Vetpocket here.
