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Dog Swollen Abdomen

Veterinarian Reviewed on June 21, 2012 by Dr. Janice Huntingford

Dog Swollen Abdomen (Swollen Abdomen in Dogs)

Swollen Abdomens in Puppies

Young puppies can have swollen bellies after they eat or drink a large amount of water or food. Their systems are growing at full-speed, so it is normal to see their abdomen swollen after eating. If the puppy appears in distress then it can be an emergency. The key is in knowing what is serious and what is normal; when a puppy has just eaten and has a swollen tummy afterward but is playing and acting normal, it most likely is nothing serious.

Dogs with Swollen Stomachs

Some dogs like to devour their food and eat until every piece is gone. This is called overeating, and just like people, dogs often engage in this activity. What happens is the dog’s stomach expands because there is simply too much food in it. This is a common reason why dog’s abdomens swell but normally dissipates after an hour or so. If the dog does not seem in distress, and the big belly goes back to normal in an hour or two, chances are your dog overindulged, and you may need to feed him smaller, more frequent meals.

Dog Bloat

Do not merely assume it is Bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus) – but do know the signs of bloat. Many people immediately assume it must be Dog Bloat, which is actually called gastric dilatation and volvulus or GVD. However, many times a swollen stomach may not be apparent in dogs that do have bloat. You should know that bloat is a very serious condition that needs immediate emergency medical attention.

This disease normally strikes very large to giant breeds of dogs that have deep chests. Bloat is a condition in which the stomach fills with gases at a rapid pace, so fast that the stomach can cut off the blood supply to other vital organs. Dogs that do display a distended abdomen that feels as tight as drum and are in apparent pain needs an immediate trip to an emergency veterinarian hospital.

Dogs Love to Chew on Things they Should Not

Young dogs love to stick everything in their mouths and swallow it. If you see your dog with something in his mouth that should not be there, try removing it before he swallows it. If you are too late and his tummy does swell afterward, it is a good guess that it is due to whatever he swallowed. If the dog acts normal, he may just have gas from whatever he swallowed.

On the other hand, if the dog begins to whine, experience Dog Vomit, or has Dog Diarrhea and appears not to feel well, try gently rubbing the dog’s tummy. Add a bit of pressure to see if he reacts (do not push down hard, just light pressure), if you press anywhere that appears to cause him or her pain, call your veterinarian immediately. They can take an x-ray of the dog’s abdomen and see if there is anything sharp that could have been swallowed.

Heavy Panting

Unless your dog has been running around playing or exercising, there is no reason for it to pant heavily unless they are in a lot of pain. If the dog has a swollen stomach along with panting excessively, a veterinarian visit is definitely in order.

Know Your Dog

You are with your dog daily and know his or her habits and what can be considered as their normal behavior. If this behavior changes along with a swollen abdomen, do not hesitate to take him or her to the veterinarian immediately, as it could be serious.

Read also: Dog Dehydration
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Our Expert

Dr. Janice Huntingford
Janice Huntingford, DVM, has been in veterinary practice for over 30 years and has founded two veterinary clinics since receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She has studied extensively in both conventional and holistic modalities. Ask Dr. Jan

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