Content
- Puppy with swollen and hard belly
- Puppy Worm Remedy
- Dog with swollen and hard belly: what can it be?
- Dogs suffering from gastric torsion/dilation
- How to prevent gastric torsion
Any tutor cares if he sees his dog with swollen and hard belly. Generally, the causes of this distension vary depending on whether we are talking about a puppy or an adult dog. In any case, knowing what is causing this inflammation will help determine when it is urgent to see your veterinarian. In this article by PeritoAnimal, we indicate the most frequent reasons that can justify the canine abdominal swelling.
Puppy with swollen and hard belly
If you have adopted a puppy from a protective association, most likely it will arrive at your home conveniently dewormed and vaccinated, over 8 weeks old and with its up-to-date veterinary identification document. However, if the dog arrives by another route, it is not uncommon for it to arrive with an unusually large, swollen, and hard tummy. intestinal parasite infection (worms) the most common cause. Puppies can contract parasites in utero, through parasitized milk or ingesting eggs. That's why it is essential to deworm the puppy from fifteen days of age.
Puppy Worm Remedy
It is normal for puppies to be parasitized by nematodes, but we cannot rule out the presence of other parasites, which makes following the veterinary guidelines essential. In general, deworming or internal deworming in syrup, paste or tablets it is usually repeated every 15 days until the first vaccinations are finished, at which time it is done every 3-4 months throughout the animal's life, even if the puppy does not have a swollen and hard belly. Although deworming is routinely administered, it is important to observe the pup's condition before administering any product, as it can be counterproductive to deworm a sick, stressed or diarrheal pup that does not originate from the parasite itself. In these cases, it is a priority to restore the dog's well-being first. Parasites seem like a very common and mild condition, but untreated severe infestations can be deadly.
Dog with swollen and hard belly: what can it be?
In adult puppies, abdominal inflammation has a different origin, as it can trigger the presence of a serious pathology known as stomach twist/dilation. This disorder is potentially deadly and requires urgent veterinary intervention. comprises two different processes:
- The first is the dilation of the stomach due to the presence of gas and fluid.
- The second is torsion or volvulus, a process in which the stomach, previously distended, rotates on its axis. The spleen, attached to the stomach, ends up rotating as well.
In this situation, neither gas nor liquid can leave the stomach. Therefore, a dog cannot vomit or burp and this accumulation of gases and fluids is the cause of the stomach's dilation. Blood circulation is also affected, which can cause necrosis (death) of the stomach wall. This condition can worsen with gastric perforation, peritonitis, circulatory shock, etc., which is what ends up causing the animal's death. That's why rapid veterinary intervention is so important when we look at the dog with swollen and hard belly.
Dogs suffering from gastric torsion/dilation
This pathology occurs more frequently in middle aged and elderly dogs, usually from big races with a broad chest, as they are anatomically more prone. These are breeds you know as the German Shepherd, the Boxer or the Labrador.
It is a condition that comes on suddenly and is often related to eating a large meal, vigorous exercise performed just before or even after eating, or drinking a large amount of water immediately after a meal. You gastric torsion symptoms typical are:
- Restlessness, nervousness, behavior change.
- Nausea with unsuccessful attempts to vomit.
- Abdomen distension, ie, swollen, hard belly.
- There may be pain when touching the abdominal area.
It is essential to consult the veterinarian right away if the dog has a swollen, hard belly. He can determine if the dog's inflamed belly is a dilation or if it has already sprained. Treatment varies depending on the diagnosis, the twist requires surgery after stabilizing the dog. Your prognosis and the type of intervention depend on what was affected when you opened it.
How to prevent gastric torsion
The torsion or gastric dilation can be a recurrent process, that is, it affects the dog several times, so it is essential take into account a series of measures:
- Divide the amount of daily food into portions.
- Restrict access to water a few hours before and after meals.
- Prevent ingestion followed by large amounts of water.
- Do not exercise intensely on a full stomach.
And, above all, consult the veterinary clinic in case of the slightest suspicion of torsion or dilation.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.