GDV is a life-threatening emergency in large breeds. Understanding evidence-based prevention strategies helps owners reduce risk and potentially save their dog's life.
GDV prevention is a welfare priority for owners of high-risk breeds as the condition causes severe suffering and has significant mortality even with prompt treatment. The preventable nature of many cases through management changes and prophylactic gastropexy makes education and action particularly important. Slow feeder bowls that extend eating time, multiple small meals rather than one large daily feed, avoiding vigorous exercise within an hour of feeding, and managing stress are all evidence-supported risk reduction measures. Prophylactic gastropexy, particularly when combined with another abdominal procedure, prevents the life-threatening volvulus component of GDV with relatively minor surgical risk.