Which of the following is a commonly observed GDV sign?

• A. Coughing
• B. Abdominal distention
• C. Hair loss
• D. Lameness

Answer: (B)

Abdominal distention is a hallmark sign of GDV because the stomach rapidly fills with gas and may twist, causing the abdomen to become visibly and palpably swollen. This distention reflects the core problem: gas buildup from rapid gastric dilation and, often, torsion that traps contents and impairs blood flow. The swollen barrel-shaped abdomen is frequently the first and most noticeable clue handlers observe in an emergency, signaling that urgent evaluation and intervention are needed.

Other signs can accompany GDV, like nonproductive retching and excessive drooling, but the distended abdomen directly results from the stomach’s abnormal filling and its compromised position, making it the most typical and recognizable sign.

Coughing, hair loss, and lameness are not characteristic features of GDV. Coughing points more to respiratory issues, hair loss to dermatologic or systemic problems, and lameness to musculoskeletal issues, none of which reflect the acute abdominal pathology of GDV.