Manejo del paciente canino crítico con dilatación torsión vólvulo gástrica. Reporte de caso

Abstract

In veterinary medicine, emergencies are common occurrences. One of these is gastric dilatation/torsion/volvulus. This condition cannot be classified as urgent or emergency until the patient is evaluated, as its classification depends on the patients general condition, the time elapsed, and the symptoms at the time of presentation. Primary care requires a series of maneuvers to be performed quickly, such as gastric trocarization to promote decompression and release of accumulated gas, allowing for improved breathing. This is especially important when performing the complementary methods of choice (for example, x-rays) without running the risk of choking or worsening the patients decompensation. In addition, aggressive fluid therapy should be initiated, with catheterization of a forelimb (for example, cephalic vein) and a hindlimb (for example, saphenous vein) to administer specific medications such as antiarrhythmics, analgesics, replacement solutions, and support solutions more quickly and effectively. A patent line is also provided so that the patient can be anesthetized without problems at the time of surgery. Finally, the resolution of the condition is completed through a surgical procedure that is usually performed successfully according to statistics (Song, 2020). It should be noted that the animal cannot enter surgery fully stabilized, since in these emergency cases, time is of the essence. The more time passes, the more the clinical condition worsens. Therefore, efforts will be made to achieve a rapid resolution in a short period of time. Despite this, a large percentage of deaths occur during the postoperative period. This is because a cascade of pathophysiological conditions has already been activated by the time the condition presents, requiring exhaustive and ongoing postoperative monitoring. This article will outline the appropriate management that should be followed from the patients admission to the clinic until discharge. At the end of the article, a clinical case of gastric dilatation-torsion volvulus will be presented, presenting the management of the patient, along with a discussion and final conclusions.