Why does my dog have an enlarged abdomen?

Sometimes, a dog’s abdomen is enlarged when there are fluids accumulating inside the abdominal cavity. Gently pressing on the abdomen may generate at times a “wave” that looks like fluid.

What does it mean when your dog’s stomach is swollen?

A swollen stomach in your dog is a concerning issue for most dog owners. Worse still is when your dog acts normally despite the swollen stomach. You expect the dog to show you some signs so that you know what could be wrong with her and figure out how to help her. Having a dog stomach swollen acting normal could mean various things.

Why does my dog have fluid in her stomach?

Ascites happens when there is a buildup of fluid in the dog’s abdomen. This buildup leads to swelling in the dog’s abdominal region. Fluid can be the result of many different things, including, but not limited to: intestinal disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or heart failure.

What happens if a dog has an untreated gastric bloat?

Called “the mother of all emergencies,” untreated gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) can be fatal to a dog within hours. Bloat happens when gas or food stretch a dog’s stomach. GDV happens when the distended stomach rotates, trapping the gas inside, and blocking off the stomach’s blood supply.

Why does my dog have a swollen belly?

Another common condition that causes stomach swelling in dog is an infection called peritonitis. This is a serious infection that occurs when the dog’s stomach or intestine becomes punctured, generally due to bone splinters, tumors, ulcers, or other causes.

Why would a dog have a swollen abdomen?

Stomach swelling in dogs can also result from the dog eating too much all at once, internal bleeding due to trauma or a ruptured mass, intestinal obstruction, or tumors. Severe roundworm infection in puppies can also cause a swollen abdomen.

What causes an enlarged stomach?

Consistent overeating can lead to an enlarged stomach. Stomach cancer may be a cause of an enlarged stomach. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body is unable to digest lactose, or milk sugar. In women, an enlarged stomach may occur if the uterus expands in response to the growth of non-cancerous fibroid tumors.

What is a dog abdomen?

A Look at Abdominal Organ Anatomy in Dogs. Your dog’s abdomen, also less formally known as the stomach, belly, or tummy, refers to the section of the body found sandwiched in between the thorax (chest area) and the pelvis (the bony structure nearby the base of the spine to which the hind limbs attach).