health problems

Clinical signs:

· Weak femoral pulses

· Tachycardia

· Tympanic and distended abdomen(sounds hollow when you tap it)

· Signs of shock

· Pale and muddy mucous membranes

· possibility of enlarged spleen and cyanosis

Initial treatment provided:

If the patient coming into the clinic still shows signs of GDV, then the following procedures are followed:

1. Oxygen must be administered

2. Place a large bore of about (16g-18g) of IV of the fore limbs. this is provided on for the fore limbs instead of the hind limbs as GDV results in decreased venous return in the caudal vena cava.

3. Then take blood sample or conducting tests. Preferably the blood samples are taken prior to fluid administration, as this might cause some changes in test readings of the blood, however if less staff are available, the blood samples can be taken after fluid administration as it is of higher importance

4. Crystalloid fluids at 45mL/Kg  of the 0.9% bolus is administered. this is only half the amount of bolus administered. Colloids at 5-10ml/kg is also administered with this. (however if crystalloids are administered alone then the bolus can be increased by about 40-60% over what was needed when it was combined with colloids)

5. If lab work can be done, then  a CBC (TPP/PCV if CBC is not available), biochem, electrolyte and lactate must be tested. moreover, a coagulation profile must also be done in case of DIC.

Lactate levels greater that 6mmol/L shows signs of gastric necrosis and can be a worse diagnosis for the patient.

6. Reassess MM, CRT, RR, pulses, HR and BP. administer another bolus if necessary.

7. Radiographs must be taken in order to confirm GDV

8.Then deflate/ remove the gaseous build-up in the stomach via stomach tubes or if that fails by trocharisation.