Has your dog been acting strange lately? Does their stomach seem more distended than usual? Is it hard to the touch? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to keep reading.
A dog with a swollen or hard stomach is not something to brush off. These signs can indicate serious and even life-threatening conditions. When it comes to the health of your dog, it’s better to err on the side of caution than to just hope that your dog will heal on their own.
That said, there are factors to take into consideration before worrying: the age of your pet, any recent illness or surgery, whether they are otherwise unwell or in pain, whether they have just been fed, or whether they broke into the food bin and ate a whole bag of food!
Read on to learn everything that you need to know about the more serious causes of dog stomach hardness, how to prevent it, and what your vet can do to help.
Causes of a Hard Stomach in Dogs
1. Gastric Dilation Volvulus
Gastric dilation volvulus (GDV), or bloat, is a serious and often fatal condition that occurs when gas or food stretches a dog’s stomach. The bloated stomach then rotates, trapping the gas inside and prohibiting blood flow. The gas continues to build up, and if left untreated, GDV can take your dog’s life within a few short hours.
Signs to be on the lookout for include:
- Hardened abdomen
- Distended abdomen
- Pain
- Unproductive retching
- Restlessness
- Salivation
- Rapid pulse and heartbeat
- Heavy or difficult breathing
- Pale gums
Risk Factors of GDV
There doesn’t appear to be one specific reason that GDV will happen. However, certain factors can increase your dog’s risk of getting it. For example, how they eat their food can play a part in causing GDV. If your dog eats too fast, only has one big meal a day, or uses a lifted food bowl, their risk of getting GDV can be higher.
Large and deep-chested dog breeds are also more prone to this condition, including Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Standard Poodles, and Doberman Pinschers, among others. It’s important to note, however, that while some breeds can be predisposed to this condition, it can occur in any breed and in dogs of any size. Those with anxious or unhappy temperaments are also thought to be at more risk.
Studies suggest that dogs that weigh over 100 pounds have a 20% risk of experiencing bloat during their lifetime.
What to Do About GDV
If you suspect your pup is suffering from GDV, you need to go to a veterinarian as soon as you can, as it is a life-threatening emergency. Your vet can decompress the stomach to release the gas. They will try to pass a stomach tube to relieve the pressure on the stomach wall. If that doesn’t work, your vet may need to insert a catheter through the skin into their stomach.
Once your dog’s heart rate and breathing have been deemed stable, your vet will most likely need to perform surgery. The primary goal of this surgery is to return the stomach to the position that it’s intended to be in and remove any dead or dying tissues damaged by the poor blood flow.
Preventing GDV
Preventing GDV can be difficult because there are so many different causes. However, there are a few things you can do to decrease your pup’s risk.
Feed them two or more meals every day, and be sure to include canned food and dry food. One study has suggested that including both types of food can reduce the risk of GDV by 59%, though further studies are needed. Use a food bowl that encourages slower eating if you know your dog tends to scarf down their meals. Don’t use an elevated food bowl unless your pup has other health problems (like megaesophagus) that make this type of bowl necessary. Don’t exercise directly after meals; wait a minimum of 30 minutes or preferably, 2 hours.
Some vets may suggest a gastropexy for high-risk breeds. This is a preventative surgical procedure where the stomach gets attached to the body wall. Gastropexy won’t prevent bloating, but it can prevent twisting most of the time.
2. Peritonitis
Another potential cause of your dog’s stomach hardness is peritonitis. This condition is an inflammation of the membrane that lines the dog’s abdominal cavity. Like GDV, it is serious and potentially life-threatening. Peritonitis can be caused by several things, such as a puncture in your dog’s stomach, splinters, gallbladder or urinary bladder ruptures, pancreatitis, or tumors.
Peritonitis is a painful and serious illness, so there will be many signs that your dog is unwell. Besides a painful abdomen, other signs to watch for include:
- Listlessness
- Vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Inappetance
- Swollen and hard stomach
Risk Factors of Peritonitis
There don’t appear to be any particular risk factors for peritonitis. The most common cause is a bacterial infection introduced into your dog’s abdomen via an external wound or perforation of an internal organ.
A perforation in the stomach or intestinal ulcers that cause peritonitis can occur as a result of an adverse reaction to specific types of medication, such as steroids.
What to Do About Peritonitis
If your dog has any of the listed signs, your vet will perform specific tests to determine the cause. They will check the abdominal cavity for inflammation and fluid build. They will also take an abdominal fluid sample and a culture to determine what type of bacteria is causing the infection, along with a blood count, an ultrasound, or a biochemical profile via bloodwork.
Once your vet has determined that peritonitis is the cause of your dog’s signs, their priority will be to stabilize the consequences of the infection. They may first treat any changes in your pet’s electrolytes, fluid loss, and shock. Your dog will also be put on antibiotics to fight the infection and medication to reduce any inflammation.
Once your pet is stabilized, surgery may be necessary.
Preventing Peritonitis
Since there are so many causes of peritonitis, there isn’t one simple thing a pet owner can do to prevent the disease, but thankfully, it is not a common illness.
One way to reduce your dog’s risk is to keep all non-edible things that your pet has shown interest in out of sight. Foreign body ingestion is one of the main causes of peritonitis, so if you know your dog likes to eat non-food objects, you need to do your due diligence to make your home safe for them.
3. Cushing’s Syndrome
Hyperadrenocorticism, also known as Cushing’s syndrome, is another potential cause for your dog’s potbelly. This condition happens when your dog’s body creates an excessive amount of the hormone cortisol, which is the chemical that enables dogs (and humans) to respond to stress, fight infections, and control their weight. There needs to be a perfect balance of cortisol because if there’s too much or too little of it, problems can occur.
Cushing’s syndrome can be tricky to diagnose because its signs are similar to those of other conditions. Your pup could have hyperadrenocorticism if they’re exhibiting these signs:
- Excessive thirst and hunger
- More frequent urination
- Hair loss
- Listlessness
- Increased panting
- Potbelly
Risk Factors of Cushing’s Syndrome
A 2021 study suggests that several risk factors may make your pup more susceptible to Cushing’s syndrome, but it is not a common illness; roughly 0.2% of pets are seen in general practice. Female dogs may be more likely to have this condition than their male counterparts. In the study, the median age at the time of diagnosis was 10.9 years, suggesting this condition happens most often in older pets. Jack Russell Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Bichon Frise were the most commonly diagnosed breeds.
Canine obesity also seems to be a risk factor for this condition.
What to Do About Cushing’s Syndrome
If you suspect your pup might have this condition, you’ll need to see a vet to confirm a diagnosis.
Your vet will run tests like the ACTH stimulation or the LDDS test. The ACTH test requires a blood sample, followed by a dose of adrenocorticotropic hormone. After the dose of ACTH, a second blood test will be taken to check for a significant increase in cortisol.
The LDDS test is similar, as a preliminary blood sample will be drawn, followed by an injection of dexamethasone. After a second blood draw, your vet will look to see if your dog’s cortisol levels haven’t dropped, as it is then likely that your pup has a tumor that’s preventing their body from properly responding to the medication. Your vet might also request an ultrasound to see if there are any tumors.
There are different treatment options depending on the type of Cushing’s disease your pup has. Pituitary-dependent, the most common form, is most often treated with medications. Adrenal-dependent can require surgery to remove the tumor on your dog’s adrenal gland. The third type, iatrogenic, is easy to treat by tapering your dog off of the steroid medication that’s causing the condition.
Preventing Cushing’s Syndrome
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent Cushing’s syndrome if it’s caused by tumors. Iatrogenic Cushing’s can be prevented by limiting your pup’s exposure to steroid medication.
4. Ascites
The final main cause of a hard stomach in dogs is ascites, the medical term for the build-up of abdominal fluid. It can be caused by several diseases and conditions, including heart failure, kidney disease, or intestinal disease.
If your dog has ascites, you may notice the following signs:
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Weight loss but a larger abdomen
- Abdominal discomfort
- Abdominal distension
Risk Factors of Ascites
Several medical problems will make your dog more vulnerable to ascites. These include:
- Congestive heart failure
- Malnutrition
- Kidney or liver failure
- High blood pressure
- Lymphoma or other tumours
- Ruptured bladder
- Bleeding disorders
What to Do About Ascites
If you believe your dog might have ascites, a trip to the vet is in order. They will begin with a physical examination, which will include a fluid thrill test to see if there is a fluid wave present in the abdomen. Abdominal distension often occurs over time and may not initially be hard until there is a large volume of fluid. They may order an ultrasound to confirm that there is fluid in the abdomen and will get blood samples for testing.
Your vet may collect the abdominal fluid with a syringe to test for abnormalities and to determine if any bacteria or fungi are causing the ascites. You may also need to put your dog on a low-sodium diet. Your vet might prescribe diuretics to help eliminate the excess sodium faster.
The cause of ascites will need to be treated. The treatment method used will depend on what is causing the excess fluid in the first place. It can include medications, surgery, and replacements of fluids.
Preventing Ascites
There are many different causes of ascites in dogs, so it is difficult to prevent it. The best thing you can do is keep your dog healthy through a proper diet and regular exercise and keep up with regular vet visits so you can catch conditions and diseases before they have a chance to develop further.
Can Other Things Cause a Hard Stomach?
These conditions aren’t the only things that can cause your dog to have a hard stomach, but they are the most common. Internal bleeding from trauma or ruptured masses, blockages, and tumors can mimic some of the signs. In younger pups, less worrying things, such as a roundworm infection, can cause abdominal swelling.
A hard stomach isn’t always an immediate cause for concern but should warrant further monitoring, as the serious conditions will have other signs, and GDV and peritonitis will require rapid veterinary attention.
How Can I Prevent Stomach Problems in My Dog?
While certain conditions can’t be prevented, pet owners can take several steps to keep their dogs in tip-top shape and lessen the likelihood of stomach issues.
Take your dog to see the vet regularly. They can then keep tabs on your pet’s overall health and get a closer look at their organs to establish a baseline. Regular check-ups will also remind you to stay up to date on all of your dog’s vaccinations and parasite prevention measures.
Feed your dog a well-balanced and high-quality diet that’s appropriate for their age and health status. Try to limit how often you’re giving them table scraps.
Don’t allow your pup in places where there might be things that could harm them. Keep garbage and household toxins like cleaning chemicals well out of reach. Research indoor plants before bringing them home to ensure they’re pet-safe. Make sure the toys you’re giving your pet don’t have any small components that could break off and cause blockages.
Conclusion
A hard stomach in your dog can be concerning, and it’s not something that you should take lightly. We always recommend taking your pet to the vet if there is any doubt about their health, and a hard and distended tummy is no exception.
Make an appointment with your vet to have them give your dog a once-over. There’s a chance they could just be overweight, or it could be something serious, like GDV, so take care to notice any other signs. Err on the side of caution, and get your pup seen by their vet just to be sure.
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Featured Image Credit: Tursk Aleksandra, Shutterstock
