What is Distended Abdomen?
In dogs, a swollen or distended abdomen may be a sign of a significant medical condition or disease, or it may be due to something less worrying, such as a resolvable bacterial infection or parasites. Due to the possibility of organ failure or breathing difficulty, however, any swelling in the abdominal area warrants an immediate veterinary visit.
Some underlying causes of a distended abdomen are potentially fatal and indicate a dysfunction or disease process involving a major organ such as the heart, lungs or kidneys. Additionally, most cases of abdominal distension cause pain and discomfort that may be alleviated with treatment.
One probable cause of abdominal distension in dogs is a condition called ascites (or abdominal effusion), which is a general term that refers to the build-up of fluid in a dog’s abdominal cavity. In a healthy animal, there should be no more than a nominal amount of fluid present in the abdominal cavity. The purpose of this fluid is to keep the organs “gliding” smoothly around each other. In fact, the amount of fluid in a healthy dog’s abdomen should be low enough not to appear on radiography. Any imaging that reveals the presence of free fluid is an indication of a serious health problem. Ascites is a symptom of many other conditions, including liver and cardiac disease, specifically congestive heart failure (CHF). In congestive heart failure, the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body, causing fluid to swell in tissues both in the lungs and stomach. The dog’s overall prognosis will depend on the source of the swelling or ascites.
Another possible cause for the abdominal distension is a pooling of blood. This could occur after e.g. a splenic tumour rupture, coagulation defect or trauma.
Rapid-pooling gas, or “bloat,” is another emergent cause of abdominal distention in a canine. In the veterinary world, bloat is an alarming term that signifies something far different than feeling full after a big dinner. Bloat, in a dog, will cause the abdomen to become untenably swollen and tight. The abdomen may take on an uneven appearance in which one part of the abdomen distends beyond another. If your dog appears to be bloated, this is a highly emergent situation, and the dog must get veterinary care immediately.
Other common causes of abdominal distension in dogs include pregnancy, which is distinguishable from other conditions due to the presence of swollen mammary glands and teats. Obesity is another possibility; in this case, the stomach should be soft and fat should be visible elsewhere on the body, not only in the stomach area.
Some medical conditions such as Cushing's disease are known to cause abdominal swelling due to the weakened abdominal muscles and enlarged liver.
Tumours growing in the abdomen will inevitably result in some visible swelling once they reach a certain size.
Puppies that are bloated are commonly infested with parasites (intestinal worms).
In canines, a distended abdomen may signify a disease or dysfunction related to a major organ such as the heart, or another condition such as pregnancy or obesity.
Symptoms of Distended Abdomen in Dogs
Clinical signs associated with distended abdomen in dogs include:
- Visibly distended abdomen
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Signs of discomfort when touched
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Lack of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Urinary changes
- Exercise intolerance
- Panting
- Pale gums
- Exercise intolerance
Causes of Distended Abdomen in Dogs
- Bloat - A very serious condition in which gas rapidly fills the stomach
- Bleeding -An emergent condition in which blood is pooling in the abdomen
- Free fluid (also called abdominal effusion or ascites) - A serious condition when fluid builds in the abdomen, may signify disease or failure of major organs
- Pregnancy - The female usually presents with a swollen abdomen by 6 weeks of expectancy, and will also have swollen mammary glands
- Obesity - The abdomen should be soft and weight should be distributed around the body
- Growths/tumors - Benign or may signify a disease such as cancer
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Uterine infection (Pyometra)
- Hormonal condition i.e. Cushing's Disease
- Peritonitis - Inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the abdominal organs
Diagnosis of Distended Abdomen in Dogs
The veterinarian may make an initial diagnosis based upon the dog’s presentation of symptoms at the physical examination. Radiography and ultrasounds may confirm the presence of fluid in the abdomen, or perhaps reveal another cause. Blood (CBC), urine and sample of (if any) fluid will be subject to laboratory testing, and may offer insight into the dog’s overall condition. Other testing will be performed based on the veterinarian’s suspicions.
Treatment of Distended Abdomen in Dogs
Treatment options will depend upon the cause of the abdominal distension, and any underlying conditions. If there is a fluid buildup, that will have to be eliminated; however, without treating the source of the ascites, improvement is not likely. Treatment examples would be:
- Obesity - The veterinarian will advise on a healthy weight loss and maintenance program
- Growths - A tumor may need to be removed
- Bloat - Surgery may be necessary in order to reverse volvulus (twisting of the stomach)
- Fluid - Draining will be required and the underlying cause must be addressed e.g. diuretics can prevent the fluid build up associated with heart disease
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Distended Abdomen in Dogs
As with any illness, provide your dog with a quiet place to rest and heal. Follow veterinary advice regarding any nutritional changes, and follow-up medications. The dog’s prognosis will depend upon the cause of the distension. Keep a watchful eye on the abdominal area, and notify the veterinarian if changes are noted.
Conditions related to a distended abdomen can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
Distended Abdomen Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Pit Bull
Eight Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Heavy Breathing, Bloating, Weak
She has been bleeding from her vulva for the past month then today her stomach is bloated and shes breathing heavy and just wants to lay down.
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my response, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
She may have an infection in her uterus. Since I cannot see your pet, it would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be causing this, and get treatment if needed.
Oct. 13, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Labrador Husky
Seven Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Staggering, Bloated Stomach, Lack Of Appetite
came home to a lethargic dog doesnt want food, staggering and seems to have a bloated stomach
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
I hope that you were able to get care for your dog and that they are feeling better. If he is still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment if needed.
Oct. 14, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Chin Pug mix
Fourteen Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Distended Abdomen
Our 14 to pug mix has a bloated/distended stomach. Her physique has changed recently in she has lost weight and her spine, ribs and hip bones are more prominent. its as if all weight is pulled down to his stomach. She has always been rounder in the middle. she still has an appetite and is still eating and drinking. she appears to be urinating and has regular bowel movements. she has less energy but still goes out for walks etc. which I expect for her age. Due to her age we do not want extraordinary measures but want her comfortable and happy.
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
Since I cannot see her or advise on her health, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 18, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Dachshund
Eight Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hard Belly
I noticed today when I had pet my baby’s belly his one side was a little hard and bigger than normal. He doesn’t seem to be in any pain, wants to be outside digging. No vomiting. Is this an emergency take him in now or wait it out (a couple hours or day to see if he gets better or has other symptoms)?
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. From your description, it seems that he may benefit from a short fast to clear out his GI tract. It is difficult to say for sure without examining him, but he seems to be eating while drinking while not having diarrhea and not having any vomiting. If his stomach is a little distended, he may just need to clear out his GI tract little bit. He can have water during a fast, and a 12 to 24 hour fast typically does a lot of good for simple GI upset. If the distension is still noticeable afterwards, or he does start to vomit or have any diarrhea, then it would be best to have him seen by your veterinarian. I hope that all goes well for him.
Sept. 24, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Lhasa Apso
Ten Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Able To Stand
We took my dog to our vet yesterday. She prsctibed previcox 557 mg. Soon after he was walking around like his legs wouldn’t hold him. Looked like he was drunk. He is in no pain nose is cool and wet. His stomach looks swollen but not hard.
July 31, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. That is definitely not a normal reaction to that medication, and it may mean that there is something more going on. It would be best to have a recheck with your veterinarian, as they can reassess what is going on, see what the reaction to the medication might have been, and see what needs to happen now. I hope that everything goes well with your dog.
Aug. 1, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Tibetan Terrier
Jack
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Bloating
Diabetes
My 10 year old dog, Jack, is diabetic. My husband went to pick up his prescription food and they were out of the canned food so he bought a bag of dry food, that was Friday. Last night, Sunday, I noticed his belly seemed swollen. This morning, per our normal routine, my husband put his food down and as Jack started to eat, he gave him his insulin injection. Well, not only did Jack not finish his meal (unheard of!) but he also vomited- a lot. He seemed very uncomfortable and then I started to see signs of a hypo, makes sense since he received his regular dose of insulin but didn't have any food. I gave him some karo syrup and while the hypo appeared to improve, he was clearly in pain. He did have 2 BMs this morning and normal urination. I called my vet who said to take him to the emergency vet's office. They took an xray of his stomach just in case it was bloat, he's a Tibetan Terrier so it was unlikely but better safe... He did not have any signs of bloat, the vet said it was most likely gas from changing his food to a dry food which has more fiber. His BG was 76 which she said was low but not dangerous. They gave him IV fluids and injections of some medication for his stomach upset. We've been home for about 4 hours and he's had another hypo incident but will not eat, gave him some more karo syrup. The karo does seem to improve the shaking and what I refer to as his lost look that we've seen a couple of times in the past when his BG has dropped. He is clearly in pain and I can't tell if he's shaking due to the pain or hypoglycemia. This morning was an $800 trip to the vet and I desperately want to trust that he received good care and that this will pass but when he looks at me with his "sick eyes," it's killing me. Any thoughts or advice are welcome. I have the ability to work from home from home and can look after him but I do need to be in the office tomorrow and really do not want to leave him this way. With 2 kids in college and 1 in grad school, another hefty vet bill is really going to impact us.
Havanese
Diego
13 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lipoma
my dog (havanese) is 13 years old and has bloating, occasional diarrhea, soft mass (possible lipoma) between his ribs, hard for him to do stairs now and his skin appears more grey. He doesn't appear to be in pain when I touch his stomach. He is licking the floor a lot more too.
Also yesterday he started having drainage from his eye. His definitely doesn't seem happy. I have been looking on the internet but nothing seems to cover all his symptoms. Any suggestions?
