Spontaneous Pneumoperitoneum Subsequent to Gastric Volvulus in Two Dogs

In two dogs spontaneous pneumoperitoneum developed following gastric volvulus. The pneumoperitoneum resulted from splenic necrosis and Klebsiella pneumoniae peritonitis in one and from a gastric perforation near the gastroesophageal junction in the other. The first dog was successfully treated by splenectomy, abdominal lavage, and systemic antibiotic therapy; the other was treated by closure of the perforation, tube gastrostomy, abdominal lavage, and systemic antibiotic therapy. One dog was euthanized four weeks after surgery because of metastatic cancer, and the other was euthanized six weeks after surgery due to recurrence of abdominal distention and peritonitis.