Vet’s 2025 Guide to Canine Gastric Stasis Diagnosis, Treatment & Recovery🩺

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

💡 What Is Gastric Stasis?

Gastric stasis (or delayed gastric emptying, gastric hypomotility) occurs when a dog’s stomach empties too slowly, causing food and gas buildup, bloating, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, even weight loss. It may also overlap with GDV (“bloat”) in severe cases.

🚩 Common Signs to Spot

• Chronic vomiting, especially soon after meals; regurg or belching.
• Painful abdomen, rumbling sounds (borborygmus).
• Loss of appetite, nausea, eating non-food items (pica).
• Bloating, gas, weight loss.

🔍 Why It Happens

Gastric stasis often develops secondary to other issues:

• Metabolic conditions—hypothyroidism, electrolyte imbalances, anemia.
• Gastric disease—gastritis, ulcers, cancer, surgery after-effects.
• Mechanical obstruction—foreign bodies, masses, GDV history.
• Medications or stress/trauma.

🧪 How It’s Diagnosed

• History + physical exam: appetite, vomiting history, abdominal palpation.
• Bloodwork: CBC, chemistry, electrolytes to look for metabolic causes.
• Imaging: X-rays show gas/food retention; contrast (barium) radiographs or ultrasound evaluate motility.
• Advanced diagnostics: endoscopy or biopsies may rule out ulcers or masses.

🩺 Treatment Approaches in 2025

1. Stabilization & Supportive Care

• IV fluids to correct dehydration and electrolytes.
• Pain relief and anti-nausea meds where needed.

2. Dietary Management

• Feed frequent small meals of low-fat, low-fiber diet in liquid/semi-liquid form.
• Warm food may empty faster; carbohydrates tend to pass quicker than high-fat meals.

3. Prokinetic Medications

• **Cisapride:** drug of choice—enhances motility throughout GI tract with fewer side effects.
• Erythromycin (low dose), ranitidine/nizatidine can also promote motility.
• Metoclopramide is less effective peripherally but helps with vomiting.

4. Treat Underlying Causes

• Hypothyroidism, metabolic issues, or infections—all must be addressed.
• Remove obstructions, treat ulcers, or manage after surgery like GDV.

5. Surgery When Needed

• GDV calls for immediate gastropexy and patients at high risk may receive prophylactic tummy tacking (gastropexy).
• Foreign bodies or tumors require surgical removal.

📈 Prognosis & Monitoring

• Good if identified early and treated; chronic or advanced underlying disease carries variable outcomes.
• Recheck via imaging and bloodwork to confirm improvement.
• Long-term use of prokinetics may be needed depending on cause.

🚫 Prevention Strategies

• Prevent large single meals—feed multiple small meals daily.
• Avoid exercise right after eating to reduce bloating risk.
• Promptly treat GI upset or vomiting to prevent stasis.
• Consider prophylactic gastropexy in high-risk deep‑chested breeds.

🏡 Ask A Vet Home Support

• 📅 Track vomiting episodes, bloating, appetite, stool consistency.
• 🕒 Medication and feeding schedule reminders.
• 📸 Upload photos of abdominal distension or vomiting content.
• 🔔 Alerts for signs like severe bloating, labored breathing, or pain.
• 📚 Tutorials: low-fat feeding, hydration support, gentle abdominal massage.

🔍 Key Takeaways

• Gastric stasis is delayed emptying—seen as vomiting, bloating, and discomfort.
• Diagnosis by exam, bloodwork, and imaging is essential.
• Treatment combines fluids, diet changes, prokinetics, and correction of root causes.
• Prophylactic gastropexy and feeding management help prevent recurrence.
• Ask A Vet app guides owners through monitoring, meds, and vet communication at home.

🩺 Final Word ❤️

In 2025, managing gastric stasis means precise diagnostics, prokinetic therapy, dietary care, and tackling underlying health issues. Blending veterinary expertise with home support through the Ask A Vet app allows owners to follow through confidently, helping dogs recover, eat well, and avoid serious complications. Your pup’s stomach health starts with informed, proactive care. 🐾✨

Visit AskAVet.com and download the Ask A Vet app to log signs, schedule medications and diets, upload updates, and stay connected with your vet—right at home. 📲