NEW CASTLE — The New Castle Police Department is mourning the loss of their K-9 Axe after they believe he suffered from gastric torsion, or twisted stomach.
In a social media post Monday, police say Axe's handler, Sgt. Josh Hedges found him collapsed in his kennel around 7 a.m. Saturday. Sgt. Hedges rushed Axe to the vet where they attempted to save him, but he eventually passed away.
New Castle police say Axe was taken to Purdue University where an autopsy will be performed to determine his exact cause of death but they believe he suffered a medical emergency known as gastric torsion.
Gastric Torsion is a disease where a dog's stomach dilates and then rotates or twists because of bloat. The disease is common in large breed dogs and experts say genetics could play a factor in it.
Symptoms of GDV include anxious behavior, depression, abdominal pain and distention, collapse, excessive drooling and vomiting and a rapid heart rate.
"Sgt Hedges and K9 Axe had worked the evening prior and K9 Axe appeared well," the department said in their social media post. "K9 Axe had been running around playing with his tennis ball as normal and assisted NCPD on a perimeter at a 911 call."
Sgt. Hedges and K-9 Axe had been partners for approximately 9 months.
