Gastric dilatation secondary to incarceration through a gastrosplenic omental rent in a dog

A 2-year-old, entire, female Dogue de Bordeaux presented with inappetence and abdominal distension. Radiographs revealed gastric dilatation and malpositioning. Given the absence of classical signs of gastric dilatation and volvulus, a medical approach was elected. After 24 hours, the dog's condition deteriorated. Abdominal ultrasound raised suspicion of splenic torsion, and follow-up radiographs showed hepatic portal venous gas and unchanged gastric alterations. Exploratory celiotomy revealed diffuse splenic thrombosis and herniation of the stomach through a rent in the gastrosplenic ligament, causing gastric incarceration. Surgical correction was performed, and the dog recovered uneventfully. Internal abdominal hernias are a rare cause of gastrointestinal obstruction in dogs. Internal abdominal hernias can be secondary to trauma, previous surgeries, peritoneal inflammation or idiopathic. In our case, radiographic features included gastric dilation and malpositioning, potentially mimicking gastric dilatation and volvulus. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of a gastric internal hernia in a dog.