Dogs can develop an enlarged abdomen for a variety of causes, some of which are more dangerous than others.
The following are some potential causes of your dog’s bloated stomach:
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)
Gastric dilatation volvulus, or GDV for short, is one of the most serious and frequent causes of your dog’s bloated stomach. This specific illness has the potential to harm your dog or possibly kill it in a matter of hours.
The dog’s enlarged stomach turns, trapping the gas inside and cutting off the stomach’s blood supply, causing the condition. There isn’t really a single identifiable cause, but it is excruciatingly painful. After a meal, it has been connected to vigorous exertion and swallowing air.
Additional Risk Factors of GDV
Regarding GDV, there are certain additional risk factors to be aware of. Your dog is more likely to become ill if you only feed them once per day, use elevated bowls, serve them dry food, or eat too quickly. Other risk factors include being of a certain breed or having a history of bloat in the family.
Breeds with deep chests, such as St. Bernards and Great Danes, are more susceptible to GDV. In fact, the condition is 20% more common in dogs that weigh over 99 pounds.
Treatment for GDV
GDV cannot be treated by you on your own. You must absolutely visit a veterinarian as soon as you can with your dog. Your dog may whine, have trouble going potty, sit or sleep in an odd position as if they’re uncomfortable, or have a weak pulse in addition to having a large stomach.
In general, treatment include clearing the stomach of extra gas, regulating the heart rate, and taking care of shock. As soon as your dog is more stable, the veterinarian can perform surgery.
Preventing GDV
Since there isn’t a single known cause of GDV, prevention is challenging. Instead of feeding your dog once a day, it is advised that you do so twice or more, and include canned food in the mix. It’s also crucial to give your dog time to digest and recuperate after meals rather than forcing them to exercise after eating.
If your dog is of a breed that is predisposed, you may also want to talk about your veterinarian about a surgical treatment called a gastropexy as a prophylactic step. This can also be done when you’re younger.
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is another ailment that can make your dog’s stomach bulge. Because it happens when the dog’s stomach or intestines have ruptured, it is highly severe.
Usually, bone splinters, tumors, or ulcers are to blame for this. Peritonitis can also result from gallbladder or urinary bladder ruptures. You may probably detect bloat and your dog may be unwilling to move because this illness is so unpleasant.
Get your dog to the clinic right away for treatment if he has this condition because it’s quite simple for him to slip into shock. The puncture needs to be fixed, infected fluids need to be removed, and the abdomen needs to be flushed out. It’s best if the veterinarian can treat him right away.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Hyperadrenocorticism, also known as Cushing’s syndrome, is a third frequent cause of stomach swelling in dogs. Your dog will appear potbellied and experience increased hunger, thirst, and urination if he has Cushing’s disease. Some dogs may also begin losing fur or exhibit more panting.
The overproduction of a hormone by the pituitary gland is typically the cause of Cushing’s disease, however an adrenal gland tumor can also be to blame. If a tumor is the cause, it can be surgically removed. Additionally, Cushing’s disease can be treated with medicine.
Ascites
Another cause of your dog’s stomach appearing bloated is ascites. In turn, swelling is brought on by the buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Your dog may develop ascites for a variety of causes.
Heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or intestinal problems are typical causes. Puppies may contract it from several contagious infections.
Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV)
If ignored, your dog could be in one of the most fatal circumstances. In GDV, the stomach twists, trapping food and gas and obstructing blood supply to the affected area. If untreated, this might become fatal in just a few hours. Gas that has become stuck in the stomach region and started to uncomfortably expand as a result of the bloat restricts blood flow and stops digestion.
GDV cannot be attributed to a single, universal cause. Even yet, it is typically believed to be brought on by swallowing too much air and engaging in strenuous activity just after a large meal. Other elements include:
Visit the neighborhood emergency animal clinic right away if your dog starts to show signs of GDV. Several things to watch out for are:
Feeding your dog at least twice daily can help to avoid this problem, as will delaying exercise following meals.
Cushing’s syndrome, a medical disease, could be the root of your pet’s potbelly. This is brought on by an excess of the stress-related hormone cortisol. Bloat is a symptom of Cushing’s syndrome, which is most frequently seen in dogs older than six. Excessive eating, drinking, and urinating, as well as odd pacing and hair loss, all signs your pup may be going through this.
The dangerous illness known as peritonitis is brought on by a stomach or intestinal wall injury. Ingestion of sharp particles like wood splinters, bone fragments, other abrasive environmental components, tumors, and ulcers are the most frequent causes of this. The local animal emergency center must treat this extremely painful ailment right away. It is highly likely that this problem will need to be corrected by emergency surgery.
Many internal illnesses can result in fluid accumulation in the abdomen region. Ascites is a condition that may be brought on by this buildup. This disorder can be brought on by malignancies, liver disease, kidney disease, digestive issues, and heart failure. Additionally, parasites may be to blame. Ascites is one of the signs of a severe late-stage heartworm infection.
What remedies are there for my dog’s bloated stomach?
You absolutely should not try to treat GDV at home and you cannot. even during the GDV’s “early phases.” There are no safe or effective over-the-counter treatments, prescription drugs, or nutritional supplements to give a dog with GDV/Bloat. No amount of Gas-X or other DIY or OTC remedies can treat or assist a dog with GDV or stop it from happening.
In fact, the difficulty of administering oral meds to a dog that may have a twisted stomach may make them feel worse. It postpones therapy and increases the possibility that you’ll get bitten or that the drug will end up going down their trachea and into their lungs.
Get your dog to a vet as soon as you can for the only effective treatment for bloat! You and your dog will be happier for the relaxation and peace of mind a veterinary evaluation can bring, even if it turns out to not be a case of GDV.
The time spent attempting to administer at-home therapies will unnecessarily postpone the necessary veterinary examination and treatment required to give your dog the best chance of life. If your dog has GDV, they will go into shock within a couple of hours if untreated.
Why is the tummy of my dog so large and solid?
Your dog’s stomach must be bloated, hard, or have an unusual shape for the disease to be true bloat and not weight gain. Make a quick call to your veterinarian if you observe this. You should take him to the emergency vet if it is after business hours. Bloat typically happens when food or gas causes the dog’s stomach to expand.
Why does my dog’s tummy seem hard and swollen?
A dog’s stomach should typically feel soft to the touch. If your dog’s stomach feels unusually hard, that may indicate that they have a digestive problem. Cushing’s disease, peritonitis, and gastric dilatation volvulus are among the common stomach conditions that result in a hard stomach. You should immediately take your dog to the vet if their stomach is hard.
Many diverse conditions, including various stomach problems, infections, and internal bleeding, can result in a hard stomach.
Being a responsible pet parent means keeping a watch out for stomach problems. If left untreated, stomach troubles in dogs can result in major medical complications, therefore you don’t want to abandon your dog in pain. Take your dog to the vet right away if they exhibit signs of a stomach issue, such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Why then is my dog’s tummy more rigid than usual? This article will discuss the causes of a dog’s hard stomach and what you may do to treat it. The following information is important if your dog’s stomach is unusually hard.
How long before a dog dies from bloat?
Bloat in dogs is a sudden, fatal illness that, if untreated, can kill a dog in a matter of hours. The outlook is frequently bleak even when an owner does suspect a case of bloat and contacts a veterinarian right after.
Canine bloat resolve on its own?
Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation volvulus, is a true veterinary emergency. A dog suffering from the illness could pass away within a few hours without medical attention. GDV causes severe stomach pain in the dog and quickly progresses to life-threatening issues. Knowing whether your dog is at danger and being aware of the symptoms are crucial. Your dog has a greater than 80% chance of survival if treated quickly.
What are the initial symptoms of dog bloat?
What signs do dogs exhibit when they bloat?
- a firm, bloated belly.
- unable to vomit yet writhing in pain.
- Drooling.
- When touched, the abdomen hurts.
- additional indications of distress including panting and agitation.
