If dogs suddenly get a big stomach, it can be a sign of life-threatening gastric torsion or Cushing's syndrome. But parasites, pregnancy, ascites or cancer can also be behind it.
In some cases, it can even be a veterinary emergency that requires immediate treatment. Below you will learn how to recognize this.
Here we go through the 9 most common causes and their typical symptoms. You will also receive initial tips on what to do in the specific situation.
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#1 Stomach twist
During gastric torsion, the stomach rotates around its own longitudinal axis for reasons that are still unclear. The known risk factors include:
- Eating too quickly
- Chronic stress
- Old age
- Raised feeding bowls
- Regular overeating
- Activity after eating
- Large breed of dog [1]
Doctors also refer to this as the “mother of all emergencies” because if left untreated, the blocked blood supply can become life-threatening within just a few hours.
This can usually be recognized by the dog's stomach becoming larger, breathing heavily and appearing restless. Other typical signs of this are:
- shortness of breath
- Severe pain
- Stomach becomes increasingly harder
- Restless walking around
- Dog chokes without vomiting
- Sudden collapse
- Increased pulse
- Dog drools profusely [2]
If you suspect this, you should contact the emergency veterinary service immediately. The only effective method here is surgery to put the stomach back in position.
Unfortunately, this cannot really be prevented. Male Great Danes and other large breeds have a 5 to 8 times increased risk. [3]
When dogs experience stomach upset, this is usually noticeable through restless behavior and a big belly. Affected four-legged friends usually start choking and have breathing problems. It is important to seek professional help immediately.
#2 Stomach and intestinal parasites
Almost every dog has to deal with stomach and intestinal parasites at least once in their life. It is not for nothing that doctors recommend regular deworming.
In healthy dogs, an infestation is more or less harmless. They can only be dangerous for young or sick four-legged friends. The most common types of worms include:
- Hookworms
- Whipworms
- Tapeworms
- Roundworms [4]
These are the 4 most well-known types of roundworms in dogs. In total there are more than 20,000 species. Some of them can be up to 23 cm long.
In the case of a severe infestation, the dog's stomach usually becomes increasingly larger and severe digestive problems occur. Typical symptoms here are:
- Constant diarrhea
- Frequent vomiting
- Lack of motivation
- Dog loses weight
- Rapid exhaustion
- Decreasing coat quality
- Worms in feces [5]
A simple worm treatment is sufficient for treatment. For this purpose, special drops or sometimes tablets are usually mixed into the food for several days.
If stomach and intestinal parasites infect dogs, digestive problems usually occur after a certain period of time without regular worming. What is typical here is that dogs get diarrhea, their stomachs get bigger and they have worms in their stool.
#3 Cushing's syndrome
When dogs are afraid or experience stress, their bodies automatically release stress hormones. Cortisol is the best known of these.
However, due to Cushing's syndrome, stress hormones are constantly released, regardless of the emotions felt. The 2 most common triggers are:
- In 4 out of 5 cases a tumor in the pituitary gland
- In 1 out of 5 cases tumor in the adrenal glands [6]
This disease means that dogs are always on alert. But over a longer period of time it also becomes physically noticeable.
What is typical here is that dogs get a big stomach and drink a lot. In addition, fur is often lost in places. Other signs of this include:
- Constant urge to urinate
- Dog is always hungry
- Constant panting
- Dog has a hard stomach
- Thin and fragile skin
- Frequent skin inflammations
- Severe fatigue [7]
The treatment depends on the type and severity of the tumor. In some cases it is treated with medication, but in some cases surgery is also necessary.
Dogs with Cushing's syndrome usually have a round, big belly. Due to high levels of cortisol, many dogs also experience hair loss and constant skin inflammation. In addition, affected four-legged friends often drink and eat unusually much.
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#4 Flatulence
When too many gases form and accumulate in the dog's intestines, this is called “flatulence”. This occurs most frequently in the brachycephalic breeds.
Because of their short snouts, these dogs usually swallow a lot of air when eating and drinking. The most common causes include:
- Eating too quickly
- Sudden change of food
- Food allergies
- Leftover food from people
- Too much fiber
- Existing intolerances
- Strongly spiced
- Unhealthy fillers [8]
In addition to the above causes, numerous stomach and intestinal diseases can also cause flatulence. What is typical here is that it is a constant problem.
Flatulence can usually be recognized by a big stomach, loud intestinal noises, listless behavior and also by the fact that the dog often emits gas. [9]
If the symptoms occur chronically, I recommend changing the food and bowls first. Such an anti-sling bowl was developed precisely for this purpose.
If the cause is food, then I recommend doing a free food check. There you will get great recommendations as well as lots of free food samples.
When dogs struggle with flatulence, their stomachs become increasingly larger due to gas accumulation. In most cases, unsuitable dog food is responsible for this. In some cases it is also due to hasty eating habits.
#5 Peritonitis
The peritoneum does not mean the hair on the stomach, but rather a membrane inside that covers the entire abdominal cavity from the inside.
When spread out it is several square meters in size. However, if it becomes inflamed, doctors also speak of “peritonitis”. Typical causes of this are:
- Bacterial infection
- Tumor disease
- Inflamed pancreas
- Previous abdominal surgery
- Reaction to certain medications
- stomach ulcers
- Viral infections [10]
What is noticeable here is that the stomach suddenly becomes fat and the dog appears very sick within a few hours. In addition, many affected dogs assume the prayer position.
They place their front paws on the ground and stick their butt up in the air to reduce existing pain. Other typical signs of this are:
- Loss of appetite
- Hardening of the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dog breathes quickly
- Increased pulse
- Touch sensitivity
- Dark colored chair [11]
While antibiotics are often sufficient for most other inflammations, surgical intervention is usually necessary for peritonitis.
If the dog's peritoneum becomes inflamed, severe symptoms usually occur very suddenly. What is typical here is that dogs get a big stomach, become sensitive to touch and refuse to eat. Vomiting also occurs more often.
#6 Pregnancy
In unneutered bitches, the swelling can also be an initial indication of an existing pregnancy. This happens around 30 days after fertilization. [12]
In contrast to humans, pregnancy in dogs only lasts a total of around 63 days. So it's much faster than ours. Typical symptoms here are:
- Strong feeling of hunger
- Unusual irritability
- Belly gets bigger
- Swollen teats
- Dog is less active
- Significant weight gain
- Dog is very trusting [13]
Pregnancy is completely impossible for castrated female dogs. Because during castration, the entire birthing system is literally removed.
A blood sample is usually taken in the initial stages for diagnosis. This means that a pregnancy can be confirmed after around 25-30 days.
However, the puppies can usually only be identified via ultrasound examination after 30-35 days. It is important that you provide her with enough quality food.
Typically, pregnant dogs eat up to 50% more per day than usual. You should also avoid excessive training during this time and rather take it easy. [14]
If unneutered female dogs suddenly develop a big belly, this can be an indication of upcoming offspring. Pregnancy can usually be recognized by the fact that the teats swell, the dog eats a lot and is generally less active.
#7 Ascites
If large amounts of fluid accumulate in the dog's abdomen, this is called ascites. Doctors also refer to this as “ascites”.
Ascites is usually just a symptom of another underlying illness. Typical causes of this are:
- Liver problems
- Rupture in the urinary bladder
- Cancer disease
- heart failure
- Worm infestation
- Malnutrition
- Kidney problems
- Internal injuries [15]
The accumulation of water causes the stomach to become larger and fuller. It is also typical for affected dogs to lie differently than usual. Other typical signs include:
- Dog refuses food
- Decreased activity
- Increasing breathing problems
- The dog's belly gurgles
- Groaning when lying down
- Dog gains weight
- stomach pain [16]
The therapy here is based on the underlying cause. The vet’s initial focus is therefore on a detailed diagnosis.
In simple cases, medication may be sufficient for treatment. In severe cases, however, surgical intervention may also be necessary. [17]
When dogs struggle with ascites, the big belly comes from a buildup of water in the abdominal cavity. What is noticeable here is that affected dogs usually breathe heavily, change their lying position and their stomachs begin to bubble.
#8 Hypothyroidism
The thyroid is a small gland located on the left and right sides of the dog's neck. Their primary job is to produce thyroid hormones.
Hypothyroidism occurs when too few of these hormones are produced. It is usually due to the following causes:
- 95% immune disease due to chronic inflammation
- 5% tumor disease due to uncontrolled cell growth [18]
Due to the lack of thyroid hormones, the dog's entire metabolism slows down and…