Retrospective Study of Canine Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Cases at Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Clinic, Zaria

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening surgical emergency in large breed dogs characterized by rapid gastric distension and rotation, leading to circulatory collapse and death if not promptly managed. This retrospective study examined GDV cases presented at the Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Zaria, Kaduna State, over a four-year period from 2020 to 2024. Case files and surgical records were reviewed for signalment, clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging findings, surgical procedures performed, and survival outcomes. A total of thirty-one confirmed GDV cases were identified. Rottweilers and German Shepherds accounted for 58% of cases. Clinical signs at presentation included abdominal distension, non-productive retching, and cardiovascular compromise. Dorsoventral and lateral radiographs confirmed the diagnosis in all cases, with the classic double-bubble sign observed in 74% of radiographs. Emergency decompression followed by surgical gastropexy was the treatment of record. Overall survival to discharge was 61%, with mortality most associated with delayed presentation exceeding six hours from onset of signs. These results highlight the critical role of owner education regarding GDV risk and the need for emergency surgical readiness at veterinary facilities in North Western Nigeria. The study provides baseline clinical data useful for improving triage protocols and training curricula at Nigerian veterinary schools. Keywords: gastric dilatation-volvulus, canine surgery, gastropexy, Zaria, radiographic diagnosis.