Acute intestinal volvulus in a dog

A 2 years old male Grey Hound dog was presented with sudden onset of depression, loss of ambulation, abdominal pain and distension since last night. On physical examination animal was found to be severely depressed with distended abdomen. Lateral abdominal radiograph demonstrated generalised gaseous distension of the small intestines. Based on history and clinical examination findings tentative diagnosis of intestinal volvulus was made and the dog was subjected to exploratory laparotomy. Abdominal incision revealed black coloured, distended intestines with fetid odour. The intestines were gently retracted and anti-clockwise ≥ 180° mesenteric torsion was observed. Enterectomy of the affected intestine was done without its prior derotation and duodeno-colic anastomosis was done. Animal collapsed 3 hours after surgery. It was concluded that intestinal volvulus is an acute and often fatal condition in dogs in which the success of treatment depends upon the time lapse between the occurrence and presentation, severity of mesenteric torsion and early surgical intervention.