125 Stomach in Knots? What Could Go Wrong? – Instructor Guide
Stomach in Knots? What Could Go Wrong?
Instructional Guide
Learners will work to understand what Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) is and its effects in dogs.
Intended Grade Level
This lesson is intended for students in grades 9th-12th. Students should be aware of general GI physiology and what the functions of the stomach are. Students should also feel comfortable with basic scientific terminology.
Learning objectives
- Students will be able to understand what GDV is
- Students will learn the causes of GDV
- Students will know the clinical signs of GDV
- Students will be able to understand the effects of GDV
Lesson Format
This can be done in any size group. The lesson is best done with computer and internet access.
- First students will read a short review of the anatomy of the stomach (5 minutes)
- Next, students will be introduced to GDV, describing what it is and watching a video to see what occurs when it happens (5 minutes)
- Then students will read about possible causes of GDV, clinical signs, impacts of GDV and how we mitigate GDV (10 minutes)
- Afterwards, students will read through two GDV cases and answer short questions about what they took away from the case (10 minutes)
- The assessment is a short quiz that reflects content from the lesson (5 minutes).
Lesson Background
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) is a serious, life-threatening condition in dogs that involves two main components: gastric dilatation (bloating) and volvulus (twisting). Gastric dilatation occurs when the stomach fills with air, food, or fluid, causing it to expand like a balloon. This bloating can restrict blood flow to the stomach and other organs, leading to discomfort and potential tissue damage. Volvulus happens when the bloated stomach twists, cutting off the passage of food, air, and blood. The twist prevents the dog from vomiting or burping, trapping air and increasing pressure inside the stomach, which can cause tissue death and shock. GDV is most commonly caused by eating too quickly, eating large meals, or ingesting air while eating (aerophagia). It can also be triggered by exercising too soon after eating, stress, or in certain breeds like deep-chested dogs (e.g., Great Danes, German Shepherds). Symptoms include visible bloating, unproductive retching, restlessness, rapid breathing, drooling, and in severe cases, collapse. GDV is an emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention, typically involving surgery to untwist the stomach and, in many cases, a procedure called gastropexy to prevent future twisting. Although GDV cannot be fully prevented, reducing risk factors like fast eating, avoiding post-meal exercise, and monitoring high-risk breeds can help.
Activities
Students will review two GDV cases, learning about the patient, their symptoms and any diagnostics that were ran. With this information they will answer three short questions per case about their understanding of the case, as well as how they could understand that these were GDV cases.
Common misconceptions and challenge points
One common point of confusion is the concept of a dog’s stomach twisting, which can be clarified by comparing it to a shoelace getting tangled. GDV is dangerous because, when the stomach twists, it blocks air, food, and blood from moving properly, much like a blocked pipe, which can make the dog very sick. Surgery is needed to untwist the stomach, similar to untying a knot in a shoelace, and dogs usually recover with prompt treatment and rest. Preventing GDV involves avoiding activities like eating too quickly or exercising too soon after meals, which can lead to the stomach twisting. This is especially important for large, deep-chested breeds, such as Great Danes and German Shepherds, whose body shapes make them more prone to GDV. Although humans can experience bloating, their stomachs don’t twist in the same way, so GDV is unique to dogs. By addressing these potential areas of confusion with simple explanations and familiar examples, students can better understand GDV while also learning how to care for their pets.
Assessment
Students will take a short quiz with questions derived from content throughout the lesson.
Further exploration
Other chapters within this book that may be interesting or beneficial are linked below:
Explore the Reason behind Acute Vomiting- A Focus on Gastric Distension
