Gastric torsion

Guinea pigs are susceptible to gastric conditions, including gastric dilatation (bloat). This can be a precursor to gastric torsion, which can be a rapidly fatal condition, unless emergency veterinary treatment is sought and implemented.

A gastric torsion may also be known as a GDV, but they both mean the same. Bloat, distension and dilation mean the stomach or parts of the GI tract are enlarged, usually with gas. A torsion means the area has twisted around upon itself. This is more common when the stomach or caecum bloats and twists around. This causes a complete or partial blockage of the stomach/cecum (depending upon if it is a full or partial twist), meaning nothing can escape from the stomach.

The stomach/cecum will twist around. This is extremely painful and leads to anorexia, signs of pain, weakness, collapse and death will occur rapidly after. Often respiratory difficulty (due to the pressure from the stomach/cecum, which is enlarged with gas, pressing on the diaphragm), and open mouth breathing, which is a poor clinical sign, may be evident.

Areas of the stomach or cecum will quickly die off due to the reduced or absent blood supply, sending the guinea pig into vascular shock.

The signs often appear quickly. The guinea pig is likely to have a bloated, gas filled abdomen. They are not likely to be eating, nor passing feces. They may vocalise in pain, sit hunched up and may struggle to move around.

The only thing you can do is to take your guinea pig to a vet immediately. This means, if your usual practice is closed, you will need to take your guinea pig to an emergency veterinary practice. This cannot wait until the morning or following day. It is an emergency and without prompt treatment the guinea pig will die.

Your veterinarian will want to act quickly. They are likely to suggest x-rays of the abdomen to see what is going on. Pain relief will also need to be given. If the torsion is only partial it may be possible to attempt to decompress the stomach of the gas and fluid to see if that results in the stomach untwisting. This may not be possible and if the caecum is twisted or the stomach does not untwist with decompression, then emergency surgery may be required. This is high risk, but without it the guinea pig will not survive.

There is not one single cause, but possible causes may include; impaction with excessive fur, dietary indiscretions, bacterial causes, gastric adhesions (often after previous surgery), as an incidence of gastric slowdown, causing fermentation within the stomach and creating gas build up.

Prevention measures include making sure your guinea pig has a correct diet, with lots of hay and grass as the main part (80%). If they have long-hair either keep it clipped short (make sure someone has shown you how to do this properly, so you don’t accidently cut their skin, which can be easy to do), or groom them every day and make sure their companion doesn’t over-groom them and ingest excessive amounts of hair.