Changes

Dilation is primary, secondary or idiopathic.  Causes of primary: gastric impaction, grain engorgement, excessive water intake after exercise, aerophagia and parasitism(141, 146).  Secondary more common and can result from primary intestinal ileus or small or large intestinal obstruction.   

Dilation is primary, secondary or idiopathic.  Causes of primary: gastric impaction, grain engorgement, excessive water intake after exercise, aerophagia and parasitism(141, 146).  Secondary more common and can result from primary intestinal ileus or small or large intestinal obstruction.   

==Clinical signs of gastric dilation==

==Clinical signs==

*Acute colic

*Ingesta appears at nares in severe cases

*Acute, severe [[Colic Diagnosis - Clinical Signs|colic]]

*Tachycardia

Time to development of gastric reflux is proportional to the distance to the intestinal segment involved, with duodenal obstruction resulting in reflux within 4 hours(147).

Clinical signs associated with gastric dilatation include severe abdominal pain, tachycardia, and retching. The mucous membranes may be pale. Classically, these acute signs are replaced by relief, depression, and toxemia after the stomach has ruptured. (Merck)

*Gastric reflux (time to development is proportional to the distance to the intestinal segment involved, e.g. 4 hours with duodenal obstruction(147).

*Ingesta appears at the nares in severe cases

The inevitable '''peritonitis''' and '''shock''' will lead to:

 

==Lab abnormalities(141)==

==Lab abnormalities(141)==

*Haemoconcentration

*Haemoconcentration