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.