![\"cat,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Copy-of-Copy-of-stories-of-animal-survival-1.png\")
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If your pet is experiencing persistent, non-productive retching, this is considered a \u201cRED\u201d \u2013 or true emergency \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage chart. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Our tale is certainly not Dante\u2019s Inferno. But for the hero of our story, Dante the Great Dane, the severe pain he endured just might be comparable to hellfire and brimstone! So without further ado, we introduce to you the five circles of Dante the Great Dane\u2019s GDV Inferno.<\/p>\n Before we can\u00a0<\/span><\/span>get to<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Dante\u2019s story, we have to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>backtrack and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>explain Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), also known as \u201cbloat\u201d, \u201ctwisted stomach\u201d, or \u201cflipped stomach\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The exact cause of GDV is unknown, but it is a severely painful and life-threatening medical condition.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n GDV can happen when the stomach expands, filling with gas and fluid. The stomach\u00a0<\/span><\/span>literally twists<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0nothing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>can<\/span><\/span>\u00a0enter or leave. Food, water, and gas are all trapped<\/span><\/span>\u00a0inside<\/span><\/span>. Even scarier, the spleen and pancreas often shift when the stomach twists<\/span><\/span>\u00a0which increases the risk of the pancreas producing toxins that can cause the heart to abruptly stop.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As the pressure builds and the stomach becomes larger, it presses against the surrounding blood vessels. The constriction blocks blood flow to the internal organs. As a result, most pets experience systemic shock. When in shock, the body is deprived of oxygen and organ damage may result.<\/p>\n The\u00a0<\/span>painful,\u00a0<\/span>enlarged stomach causes abdominal discomfort\u00a0<\/span>and the pet starts to retch (<\/span>dry-heave<\/span>).\u00a0<\/span>However, s<\/span>ince<\/span>\u00a0the stomach is blocked<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>the pet is<\/span>\u00a0unable to produce any vomit<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>And here is where we meet Dante<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>He was experiencing Circle Three when his parents realized something was wrong.\u00a0<\/span>He was gagging and retching\u00a0<\/span>continuously, but<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>n<\/span>o<\/span>\u00a0matter how many times he\u00a0<\/span>tried,<\/span>\u00a0he\u00a0<\/span>couldn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>vomit.\u00a0<\/span>Sounds like\u00a0<\/span>a circle of hell\u00a0<\/span>all right<\/span>, for Dante and his parents!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\nCircle One: The\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Twist<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
Circle Two: The Shock<\/h4>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Untitled-design-2021-03-10T100454.054.png\")
<\/p>\nCircle Three: The Early Signs<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"dog,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Untitled-design-2021-03-10T095034.107.png\")