And I noticed yesterday that her stomach is really hard. What should you do if you notice abdominal distension? Often, if the effusion is causing discomfort for the dog, it can be drained fairly easily with a needle and syringe, usually without the need for any sedation as long as the patient is cooperative with remaining still while the fluid is drained. She may actually be in the early stages of labor now - hard stomach = contractions. Please do not ask emergency or other specific medical questions about your pets in the blog comments. The most common cause of internal bleeding from a ruptured tumor is a cancer called hemangiosarcoma. Once again, blood is drawn before administering dexamethasone (a steroid similar to cortisol) and then drawn again at 4 hours and 8 hours later. The stages of pregnancy are relatively short for dogs in comparison to humans. And once again, abdominal distension that occurs very suddenly, especially with other signs your dog is not feeling well, is a medical emergency and you need to take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Oatmeal. Pacing and restlessness is often one of the most obvious and early signs. Simply feeding less of your dog’s regular diet may not be sufficient since your dog may not get all of the essential nutrients he needs in sufficient amounts, so a switch to a specific food formulated for weight loss may be necessary. If treatment is not possible, the likelihood of survival is very low. The dog’s blood pressure will drop because the blood is not able to move around the body, and the dog’s heart rate will increase in an attempt to keep blood flowing to all parts of the body, especially the brain and kidneys. Distension of the abdomen is not something that should be ignored as there are many serious conditions that could be causing the distension. If it is possible to surgically remove the mass, before proceeding to surgery, other diagnostics should be performed, such as chest radiographs, to look for signs that the cancer has spread. **Any abdominal distension that occurs over a short period of time, particularly if the dog is showing other signs of not feeling well such as attempting to vomit, weakness, lethargy, or restlessness should be considered a life-threatening medical emergency and the dog should be taken to the closest veterinary clinic immediately.**. This test is particularly helpful for diagnosis of pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism, but is difficult to interpret for Cushing syndrome caused by an adrenal tumor. Breeds most at risk include the Great Dane, German shepherd, Irish setter, Gordon setter, Weimaraner, Saint Bernard, standard poodle, and basset hound. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Fever, lack of appetite, lethargy, and depression may or may not be seen with an open pyometra. She's acting quite normal. Bloat in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment, Again - if your dog is currently exhibiting the signs above, (bloated stomach, anxious, pacing, trying to vomit unsuccessfully or with just increased saliva), Unsuccessful vomiting, or the dog can only bring up foamy saliva. Blood work will show a severe elevation of white blood cells as well as an elevation of globulins, a kind of protein that is associated with the immune system. Hey, My dog is due on having her babies. This type of cancer has a guarded to poor prognosis since it has usually spread to other organs before the original mass is discovered. Prepare a small, confined space. This is why we vets can’t stress it enough: If you notice that your dog is bloated, it is officially the time to get them to the nearest open veterinary hospital ASAP. The fine needle aspiration involves placing a sterile needle into the fluid build-up in the abdomen and withdrawing a few milliliters of fluid. I've never had a dog who had puppies but I have had 2 cats that have had kittens and they don't really … There is conflicting evidence about whether using a raised feeder is a risk factor for GDV; if nothing else, feeding from the floor has not been identified as a risk factor. If possible, call to inform the vet that you are on the way. While not as much of an emergency as GDV/bloat, it’s still important to have a veterinarian examine the dog and make sure the stomach hasn’t flipped. We frequently don't know why or how the twisting happens, but when it does it completely blocks the escape of gas, liquid, and other stomach contents from the stomach. The only correct way to treat bloat is to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible! Eclampsia is caused by low blood calcium levels (hypocalcaemia) in dogs. A hard stomach in dogs may indicate an abdominal tumor. Animals who have internal bleeding are weak, may collapse, have pale gums, and increased respiratory and heart rates. While abdominal radiographs can usually detect a mass in the abdomen, often an abdominal ultrasound is the better diagnostic tool since it allows for focused examination of each organ. Your email address will not be published. Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (“Bloat”). In a closed pyometra, the cervix remains closed, which means the bacteria and pus continue to build up in the uterus. Obesity is the most common preventable disease in dogs. If the underlying cause is not able to be easily addressed, diuretic drugs may be prescribed – these pull fluids from the body and remove the excess fluid from the body by increasing urine production. , which is made to look like a tuft of grass, turns your dog's meal into a challenging, time-consuming game. You almost certainly won't be able to go or stay with your dog, but someone will update you as soon as possible, usually after about 15–30 minutes. They will also usually have higher than expected numbers of white blood cells called neutrophils and monocytes. Routine spay surgery (removal of the uterus and ovaries) will prevent pyometra. If your dog is a fan of Kong toys, the oversized Kong Wobbler is a fun way to slow down meals. The gastropexy surgery your dog will undergo should prevent the stomach from ever twisting again. This Green Interactive Feeder, which is made to look like a tuft of grass, turns your dog's meal into a challenging, time-consuming game. This treatment plan is the one most commonly used. In the most general sense, dog “bloat” refers to an enlargement or swelling of the abdomen. Most dogs show behavior changes, and their energy levels drop as their abdomens grow. Because of this, it's fair to say that, across the board, a dog that "looks bloated" should always be taken to the vet ASAP. If your dog’s stomach is bloated, it could be due to a number of underlying causes, ranging from mild to severe, including pregnancy, heart failure or liver dysfunction, uterine infection ("pyometra"), internal bleeding, GDV, and several others… Dogs exhibit symptoms similar to those of humans when they are ready to go into labor. Not … Other risk factors that have been reported include deep/narrow chest cavities, first-degree relative with a history of GDV, stress, aggressive or fearful behavior, once daily feeding, gobbling down food, and eating dry food. For adrenal tumors, surgical removal of the adrenal gland may be attempted; the overall rate of cure is about 50%. In general, whether your stomach feels soft, firm, or rock-hard, you can expect it to fluctuate a bit throughout the duration of your pregnancy, and it's all totally normal. This form of hyperadrenocorticism is referred to as pituitary-dependent, or Cushing disease. Hospital staff will quickly take your dog to the back for initial diagnostics (X-rays, blood pressure, EKG traces, and more). 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 … Go check with your vet. So if she hooked up with that other dog on the 15th of October, her due date would be around December 17th. We do know that breed, family history, stress (including a fast/nervous eating disposition), and the frequency and amount you feed all play a role in GDV/Bloat. It features a bowl-like shape which features rubber prongs that hold treats in place on the interior of the toy. Your dog should be weighed every 2-3 weeks to ensure that weight loss is progressing, and that the weight loss is not too excessive. Know that GDV will require surgery to correct, specifically a procedure called a "gastropexy." Affected dogs typically retch, or try to vomit, unproductively. There are several risk factors for GDV, including breed predisposition and environmental factors. If your dog with GDV suffers a cardiac arrest — which is not uncommon — the hospital staff can begin CPR, but they'll need your permission to do so and they'll need it quickly. Although this is a relatively rare cancer, it may result in a hard stomach. If heart disease is suspected, an echocardiogram and consultation with a cardiologist may be recommended. This article has covered the most common causes of abdominal distension. Most cases of hyperadrenocorticism (85-90%) are caused by a benign tumor in the pituitary gland that causes the release of excess ACTH, a hormone that controls cortisol production in the adrenal glands. If you notice that your pregnant dog is suddenly an extremely finicky eater, she's not unusual. Has she been restless, uncomfortable and is she panting any at all? If you are worried that your pet is having an emergency or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic medical conditions, please contact or visit your veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center. An open pyometra may not be as easily detected with radiographs; an abdominal ultrasound may be more useful in detecting changes to the uterine wall. She pacing and panting for the past four days . And yes, their stomach does get hard when pregnant. Feed your dog a premium adult dog food for the first few weeks of her pregnancy. As more ACTH is released, it causes more cortisol to be released. There can also be other reasons why. Please, don't trifle with or delay in the face of this condition. However, the surgery is not without risk; 6-8% of dogs die either during surgery or shortly thereafter. Care When Pregnant or Whelping. There are no home remedies, medications, or supplements that are safe or effective to give a dog that is suffering from GDV/Bloat. The toxic effects of the bacteria will likely cause death, regardless of the type of pyometra, and with a closed pyometra, there is a risk the uterus will rupture, causing a fatal peritonitis. The information you share will help us help many more dogs. Clinically, the bloated stomach causes compression of major veins in the abdomen, decreasing blood flow to the rest of the body. All rights reserved. If the dog survives surgery and recovers, the average survival time is about two months. The prognosis for survival is significantly better for cases that are (1) caught earlier and (2) treated appropriately and promptly. Topics: If the condition is allowed to progress, the dog often becomes very weak, the abdomen becomes further distended, and death soon follows. If the veterinarian is certain GDV is not present, they may administer a drug to induce vomiting as a way to decompress the stomach and relieve the dog’s discomfort. It's not just the passage of gas and liquid from the stomach that's altered in GDV, it's also the blood flow to and from the stomach, as well as throughout the rest of the body (including to and from the heart), that's severely compromised. This is Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, or GDV. Treatment is surgical removal of the mass – either the entire spleen, or parts of the liver, depending which organ is affected. Your veterinarian will start with a regular chemistry blood panel and CBC. My Jack Russell Is 8 Weeks Pregnant But I Cant Feel Any Pups..her Stomach Is Quite Hard But She Hasn't Really Gained Weight..she Has Started To Scratch On My Sofa Though Asif Shes Trying To Nest..could She Not Be Pregnant? It is important to note that not all dogs with GDV/Bloat will exhibit all of the following signs and symptoms. DogsCatspets is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to amazon.com. Restlessness, inability to lie down, panicked or distressed, pawing at or looking at their belly, rapid shallow breathing, and pale mucus membranes. There is ongoing research into this subject and, ironically, one factor that was previously thought to decrease risk of GDV/Bloat — feeding from an elevated bowl — actually appears to increase it! The dog will then spend a few days in the hospital with careful monitoring of his heart rate, ECG rhythm, and blood pressure. Time is truly of the essence with this condition! This site’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Kong makes a variety of highly popular rubber chew toys and interactive feeders. If My Dogs Nipples Are Sticking Out And Really Hard And Swelling, Is She Pregnant? Please do not ask emergency or other specific medical questions about your pets, undergo rigorous testing... by independent laboratories. I don't really know the signs other than their tummy getting big. Use the time that your dog is in the back being stabilized and evaluated to complete these steps, so that your dog can be entered into the system as efficiently as possible. To help prevent stomach problems, be sure to take your dog in for regular checkups so that your vet can keep tabs on the health of your pet's heart, lungs, stomach, bowel, and other organs. Treatment may include IV fluids for hydration, monitoring of electrolytes, and administration of drugs to help the stomach empty.

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