home Audience 6 Dogs have a swollen belly what to do. Bloating in dogs. Treatment of helminthic infestation

Dogs have a swollen belly what to do. Bloating in dogs. Treatment of helminthic infestation

Formation of gases in the intestines - natural process for any organism. If any food is not digested in the pet's stomach, or there is a lack of enzymes, flatulence occurs.

The reasons for its development include:

the presence in the diet of foods that are poorly digestible (any legumes, fresh White cabbage, potatoes, etc.);
lack of enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract;
obstruction (blockage) caused by a tumor or foreign body;
swallowing large amounts of air while eating food;
lack of movement;
fermentation of food due to impaired absorption;
dysbacteriosis;
helminth infection ( a type of helminthiasis in dogs, dipilidia);
gastrointestinal motility disorder.

Bloating in a dog: causes

The formation of gases always accompanies the digestion process. But in a healthy animal, the intestines push them out imperceptibly. If the dog’s stomach is very swollen, it means that there are problems with the work. digestive system. You can deal with the problem yourself when the causes of these violations are as follows:

rapid swallowing of food with air intake;
allergic reactions to the proposed products;
stale food;
dysbacteriosis after taking medications;
fur accumulated in the intestines.

Consultation with a specialist will be useful, but there is no danger to life.

It will not be possible to solve these problems on your own; urgent veterinary assistance is required. Unfortunately, especially severe cases, it is impossible to save the dog.

The formation of gases in the intestines always occurs due to a violation of the digestive process, since a normally functioning stomach ensures their expulsion from the animal’s body

Often these disorders occur due to too rapid absorption of food, since such a rush leads to the dog swallowing too much air during the feeding process.

As mentioned earlier, such stomach problems can arise due to disturbances in the intestines, for example, due to intolerance or severity of certain foods.

In addition, bloating may be secondary symptoms the presence of allergies or intestinal diseases.

There is also a possibility that a bloated stomach did not appear due to excess gases, but due to the presence in the body large quantity helminths. In this case, animal owners should immediately consult a doctor.

If there is any enlargement of the abdomen or a change in its shape, the dog should be taken to a veterinary clinic for examination.

Consumption of foods that carry “quick energy,” including vegetables, provokes the fermentation process. The bacteria that cause this process feed on sugar and at the same time release gas, which, collecting in bubbles, accumulates in the intestinal cavity and stomach. If the pet is strong, then gases are released through the anus naturally.

How to independently help an animal that is constantly swelling?

To reduce gas pressure, Espumisan and other analogues of children's medications can be given;
To activate the intestinal microflora, we give Hilak Forte at the rate of 1 drop per 1 kg of weight;
To relieve irritation and swelling, we use Enterosgel and Smecta;
Duphalac will gently cleanse the intestines.

These “human” drugs can be used when there is no alternative. It's better to use special veterinary products or show the animal to a doctor who, using special veterinary equipment, can accurately determine the diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

If the problem is solved, congratulations! Analyze your pet’s diet and draw conclusions by elimination.

What to do if the symptoms only worsen:

the dog whines, hind legs tense, the stomach is even more inflated;
saliva flows profusely;
vomiting appeared.

If vomiting begins, give your dog Rehydron, which will protect against dehydration. It may happen that after vomiting 1-2 times, the pet will feel relief. This suggests that the body coped with the problem on its own. If vomiting was repeated more than 4 times during the day, the mass yellow color, with foam and a pungent odor - immediately contact the veterinarian!

Leaving an animal with a bloated belly for more than a day without qualified medical care dangerous. The fact is that swelling displaces the ligaments that fix internal organs. An awkward movement or jumping off the sofa can trigger bloat, and that will be a completely different story.

There are many reasons for stomach bloating in dogs. A common reason is that the pet may have eaten food that contains foods that contribute to the formation and accumulation of gases in the stomach. These products include brewer's yeast, soy, as well as lemon acid, which often acts as a preservative.

Bloating can occur as a result of air entering the stomach if the animal absorbs food and water too quickly.

Stress, which can be caused by childbirth, exhibitions, changes in the dog’s lifestyle, as well as physical activity before and immediately after meals can also cause bloating in dogs.

One of the reasons may be hereditary predisposition or pancreatic disease.

Bloating in a dog - dangerous condition, in which, if measures are not taken in time, the dog can die in just a couple of hours.

Most often, bloating occurs in older animals, also in large and giant dogs with deep chested(Doberman, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Bobtail), however, dogs of any size are prone to such problems.

A properly functioning stomach ensures the timely release of gases from the animal’s body, and if the digestion process is disrupted, this leads to their excessive formation and stagnation.

Causes of bloating

Excessively abundant feeding, especially with foods prone to fermentation;
Lack or insufficient physical activity after feeding;
Feeding several animals at the same time, when the dog, trying to eat more, swallows a large amount of air along with the food, which will cause flatulence.
Stress caused by childbirth, changes in place of residence, changes in the dog’s lifestyle.
Diseases of the pancreas or hereditary predisposition.

Bloating can be of two forms - acute and chronic.

Acute form

At acute course symptoms of the disease develop rapidly and most often in evening time after feeding. The animal becomes restless, whines, and walks with an arched back.

Shortness of breath and unproductive vomiting appear every half hour. Sometimes, with such urges, foam may be released. The abdomen becomes enlarged, tense and painful. The dog may try to go to the toilet, but to no avail.

But sometimes loose stools may occur.

As a result, due to increased gas formation and, as a consequence, obstruction of the esophagus, such conditions end in closure and even displacement of the stomach.

Therefore, as soon as the animal has symptoms of acute bloating, it must be urgently taken to a veterinary clinic, where the doctor will conduct an examination, take blood and stool tests, and X-ray examination to rule out other diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract.

Chronic form

At chronic course gas disease digestive tract dogs is permanent. This condition, although it manifests itself without painful and dangerous symptoms, still requires treatment.

The causes of chronic bloating can be disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, such as diseases of the liver and pancreas.

In addition, the cause may be unsuitable food or lack of enzymes in it for proper operation stomach.

Treatment

To provide qualified assistance For a sick animal, veterinarians first of all carry out manipulations to relieve stomach tension.

To remove painful sensations and reduce stressful state, they give the dog special drugs and antibiotics.

This procedure is done using sorbents, or a gas outlet tube, which must be inserted into the dog’s esophagus through the throat.

In acute and critical conditions can be used emergency methods, such as puncturing the stomach with a hollow needle, under general anesthesia, to remove gases or restore and fix it correct position(gastropexy) if volvulus occurs.

In order to prevent re-bloating, the stomach must be attached to the right wall abdominal cavity. A tube is then inserted into the stomach to empty it. Sometimes for successful implementation Surgery may require drainage or removal of the spleen.

During and after treatment, the dog is prescribed liquid food. Veterinarians often advise giving up dry food for a while or pre-soaking it in water, because... it absorbs a lot of moisture in the stomach, which can lead to sudden bloating.

Prevention

Prevention of bloating includes:

If the dog is prone to bloating, the owner should always have medications available to prevent gas formation.
Proper nutrition, eliminating the possibility of flatulence. In order not to provoke the formation of gases by improper digestion of food, the dog should not be given water an hour before meals. The diet should include food that is easily digestible. It is recommended to feed the animal three times a day after a walk. After active physical activity, you should not give your dog water to drink immediately to prevent swallowing air.
The transition to a new diet should be made gradually. It is preferable to feed your dog food with a low grain content.
If the food is natural, then the diet should include at least 30% raw meat and fiber. It will also be useful to give your dog special herbs for pets, which are sold in veterinary pharmacies.
Provide adequate exercise for the dog
Avoid stressful situations when feeding animals.

Symptoms of the disease

The course of the disease and the features of treatment depend on the causes that cause it. Sometimes you can understand that a dog has a stomach ache by its behavior: the pet becomes less agile, remains motionless for a long time and seems to be listening to something. Changes in the shape and size of the abdomen become noticeable on the 2nd or 3rd day.

In another case, intestinal bloating occurs quickly, and the animal’s condition deteriorates sharply. This option is more dangerous for the dog’s life and requires immediate assistance.

General symptoms pathological condition are:

Severe enlargement and pain in the abdomen.
Aversion to food, refusal of water.
Rapid breathing.
Belching, nausea, profuse salivation, vomiting with foam.

The dog moves with difficulty, mostly lying on its side.

Abdominal bloating can be acute or delayed or chronic form. If the disease is chronic, it may not manifest itself in any way. However, gradually the pet will begin to experience problems with the liver and pancreas. The evil irony is that disruptions in the functioning of the above organs will only aggravate digestive problems.

As with other diseases, acute form is the most dangerous. At the same time, the animal behaves extremely restlessly, often whining. The pet's belly is swollen and extremely tense. Side effects of bloating can also include stomach upset and frequent vomiting, complete or partial refusal to eat, blue gums, difficulty breathing, as well as severe pain in the abdominal area.

Typical symptoms may not necessarily occur at the same time. But even with the appearance of the first symptoms, you need to act quickly.

Characteristic symptoms are expressed in an unsuccessful urge to vomit, every 5-30 minutes, with possible separation foam. The urge to vomit may be perceived as a frequent cough.

The animal shows anxiety, whines and cannot accept comfortable position, walks crouched, with an arched back.

The animal's belly increases in size and becomes taut like a drum.

The dog has weakness, shortness of breath, cardiopalmus. The animal may attempt to defecate, which ends unsuccessfully, and may also try to eat pebbles or other hard objects.

Bloating can be acute or chronic. If it is chronic, it can occur hidden. But over time, the animal will begin to develop difficulties with the pancreas and liver. It is important to remember that together with the disruption of the functioning of the described organs, the condition of the digestive system and all processes occurring in it significantly worsens.

As with other diseases, the acute form brings the greatest threat. With such a violation, the pet begins to get very nervous and whine. The dog's belly swells and its muscles tense. TO side effects bloating can include indigestion, nausea, complete or partial refusal to eat, Blue colour gums, difficulty breathing, increased pain in the abdominal area.

Diagnosis of bloating

If the dog suffers from pain and bloating after eating, the abdominal cavity can be measured with a measuring tape. This should be done in the widest part of the belly. This simple procedure will allow you to track the dynamics of the occurrence of the symptom and determine whether there is a danger to the dog’s health.

If the symptoms are serious, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. There, doctors will conduct special studies, including stool analysis and general analysis blood, x-ray. One of the tasks of specialists is to exclude diseases with similar symptoms, for example, various diseases intestines, as well as enzyme deficiency.

Among the symptoms that accompany painful abdominal enlargement are:

restless state of the dog;
vomiting with mucous secretions;
rapid heavy breathing;
swelling of the dog's sides in a short period of time.

Treatment of flatulence in dogs

Basically, all recommendations for relieving bloating in a dog relate to nutritional rules. First of all, the pet should eat in a calm environment. You should not disturb your dog while eating, especially if you do not allow children to do this. This behavior can be fraught with injury, as dogs become extremely sensitive when eating.

If you notice your pet has bloating, switch to a liquid diet. Experts often advise giving animals prone to bloating liquid or almost liquid food. Dry food should be completely excluded from the diet, as it tends to absorb large amounts of water directly into the dog's stomach, causing bloating.

But still, homemade food is the most preferable option to prevent any stomach problems in your pet. Researchers have proven that dogs fed domestic and healthy food recover much faster than pets who continue to eat store-bought food.

You can also normalize stomach function with chamomile decoction. This flower is an indispensable ally in the fight against various diseases gastrointestinal tract. Chamomile helps not only in treating but also in preventing bloating in dogs. Small dogs, whose weight does not exceed fifteen kilograms, you can give half a small spoon of decoction per day.

To normalize the functioning of the stomach, you will need to carefully monitor physical activity pet, since in some cases the cause of bloating is physical inactivity. You should give your animal an active walk at least once a day. In this case, such a load should occur exclusively before meals.

There is also medicinal methods treating bloating in dogs. For example, taking certain homeopathic remedies will help immediately eliminate the accumulation of gases in the pet's stomach.

If you suspect that bloating is not caused by gases, but, for example, by helminths, you should immediately consult a doctor. Bloating, accompanied by vomiting and the formation of white foam, is also treated exclusively in a specialized clinic.

If the results of the so-called home therapy did not bring results, the veterinarian usually rinses the dog’s stomach using a special type of probe and introduces sorbents into the stomach. In some severe cases of bloating, a specialist pierces the abdomen with a special needle to quickly remove gases. It is also possible to carry out intensive care, the purpose of which will be to support of cardio-vascular system body.

To prevent acute bloating, the dog should be fed in a calm environment, after a walk, with high-quality, familiar food.

Peritonitis, pyometra, ascites - these serious diseases of a dog can only be determined by a veterinarian. In an advanced state, the owner is usually offered the option of euthanasia.

Treatment methods depend on the severity of the animal's condition. The veterinarian will insert a tube (probe) into the dog's stomach through the throat to relieve pressure and release accumulated gases. In severe cases, the veterinarian can make a puncture in the stomach with a hollow needle for the same purpose.

A dog in a state of shock is given special medications, and the pain is relieved with antibiotics. IN veterinary clinic They may take an x-ray to check the condition of other organs and the absence of gastric volvulus.

Stomach bloating is not uncommon for dogs. However, this is a rather dangerous condition due to the fact that stretching by gases leads to obstruction of the esophagus, or even torsion of the stomach and its further displacement.

As a result, lung function is impaired and venous outflow, cardiovascular failure occurs, the animal experiences rapid shock and dies literally within one to two hours. Bloating in a dog is called flatulence.

Causes of bloating in dogs

Gases are always formed in the intestines as a result of digestion. But in a normal situation they move through the intestines and are pushed out.
Often excessive gas formation in the intestines occurs when air is swallowed while eating, when the dog eats too quickly, swallowing food whole.
The most common cause of flatulence is profound disorders of the digestive system. They cause the accumulation of large amounts of gas in the stomach, which occurs due to rotting food debris. This occurs when the intestines have difficulty digesting certain foods.
Flatulence may also accompany food allergies and intestinal diseases that disrupt its normal functioning.

Symptoms

Flatulence can be acute, delayed and chronic. In the chronic course of the disease, it does not particularly manifest itself, but over time, the animal experiences disturbances in the functioning of the liver and pancreas, which increasingly lead to improper digestion of food.

Veterinarians often blame dry food containing soybeans for the development of this condition.

As a rule, stool and blood tests are taken, and the dog is x-rayed.

The main task in the treatment of flatulence is to relieve bloating. To do this, it is necessary to rinse the stomach using an oroesophageal tube and introduce sorbents into it. Sometimes veterinarians pierce abdominal wall a special needle - a trocar, to remove gases.

In severe cases, intensive therapy with peristalsis stimulants is carried out with support for the cardiovascular system.

Preventive measures for flatulence

In order to avoid intensive care, it is best to feed the animal properly so that it does not have flatulence. Especially it concerns large breeds dogs that are most likely to experience bloating.
The diet of a dog prone to flatulence should consist of easily digestible food, divided into small pieces to avoid swallowing air. It is better to feed three times a day after a walk. You should not give your dog water to drink immediately after active play.
It is also better not to experiment with food, but to make any transition to a new diet gradually.

Treatment is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause. If excess gas occurs due to any product, it is necessary to review the pet’s diet, and then the problem will be solved without treatment.

In other cases, you can adhere to the following scheme:

Adsorbents and carminatives will help get rid of gases and remove them from the body: Enterosgel, Activated Carbon, Smecta, Polysorb, Espumisan (Simethicone).
If there is a lack of enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract, medications are prescribed: Creon, Mezim, Pancreatin, Pepsin.
To treat dysbiosis, probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are used: Prokolin, Bifidum-SHZh, Bifitrilak, Embprobio, Lactoferon, etc.
To improve gastrointestinal motility, drugs are prescribed: Motilium, Motilak, Cerucal.
If increased gas formation caused by big amount helminths, it is necessary to rid the dog of them with the help anthelmintics: Kanikvantel, Drontal, Milbemax, etc.

If the flatulence is caused by a blockage, surgery may be required to remove the foreign object from the intestines.

What should you do if your dog has a bloated stomach? Largely therapeutic measures will be related to the pet’s nutrition. To begin with, it is important to provide the animal with proper nutrition in a calm environment. There is no need to distract the dog while feeding, and it is also prohibited to allow children to do this. This behavior can end badly, as dogs become especially sensitive when eating food.

The feeding area should also be separate, since dogs are accustomed to swallowing food in whole pieces without chewing (this especially applies to houses where there are other animals). Eating too quickly can cause a lot of gas to accumulate, which will only make the situation worse.

If your dog has a bloated stomach, it is important to buy liquid food for him. Veterinarians recommend giving your pet, who often gets bloated from plain food, liquid or almost liquid food. Dry food is prohibited in this case, as it absorbs a large volume of liquid in the stomach itself, leading to bloating.

First aid

Regardless of the severity of the disease, the owner should try to alleviate the animal’s condition.

Having noticed the changed figure and dejected appearance of your pet, first determine why the dog’s stomach is swollen. There may be two reasons:

The dog swallowed something while playing (for example, a rubber ball);
It is difficult to pass gases for physiological reasons.

A strong accumulation of gases is easily determined by the characteristic sound that occurs when you tap the dog’s swollen belly with your fingers.

Try to restore the natural release of gases and reduce their pressure on the internal organs. Try this:

Stroke the dog's belly with light pressure with your palm in a clockwise direction for 3 to 5 minutes. Usually this action is enough to deflate the intestines. Next, if you suspect toxins, put a few tablets in her mouth activated carbon, clasp the muzzle with both hands and hold until it swallows. To restore the intestinal microflora, after a while, start giving probiotics.
If the first method did not work, carefully enter anus gas outlet tube to a depth of 2 - 3 cm (depending on the size of the animal). This procedure will relieve some of the stress until the doctor arrives.

Consequences of digestive problems

Because of possible violations With digestion, the animal's intestines begin to fill with a large amount of gases and increase significantly in size. As a result, the dog's stomach swells and pain occurs. Gases begin to be slowly absorbed and lead to intoxication. The negative load on the liver increases significantly.

Dilatation of the intestine leads to hard work, which speeds up the movement of digested food. The dog begins to have diarrhea. At the same time, a large amount of gases continues to remain in the intestines, moving closer to the sphincter of the rectum and accumulating in this place. After the accumulation of a certain amount of gases, emissions with an unpleasant odor begin.

The mere release of excess gases through the anus is not enough to empty the intestines. Its walls continue to expand, and the pain only increases. In this case, there is a danger of the dog developing stomach diseases, increased flatulence and impaired liver function.

Prevention

It is easier to prevent any disease than to cure it and get rid of its complications. Therefore, if you want to see your four-legged friend healthy and cheerful, do not forget about these preventive measures:

Follow the rules of feeding (the quality of food should be high, the dishes should be clean, the quantity should be sufficient to satiate, but do not allow overeating).
Carry out helminthiasis prevention in a timely manner (at least 2 times a year).
Teach your dog not to take food from someone else's hands or pick up anything from the ground.
For walks, try to choose places where the dog can be driven well over uneven terrain. This will improve intestinal motility and protect against constipation and gas accumulation.
Select for pet good doctor and if problems arise, seek help immediately.

Veterinarians advise not to accustom dogs to the food that we eat. In practice, unfortunately, this does not always work out. That's why:

make sure that no spoiled food appears in the bowl, do not feed the dog expired foods that would be a pity to throw away;
do not forget that of all breeds, only german shepherds can partially digest bones. Make sure that tubular bones do not get into your food, because they are poorly excreted, injure the mucous membrane, and clog the intestines, causing obstruction.

And then your dog will not be in danger of bloating.

As you might have already guessed, based on the information about the treatment of bloating, you can prevent the occurrence of problems with the help proper nutrition dogs. All of the above rules can be applied not only for home therapy, but also for disease prevention. They are especially relevant for big dogs, since bloating occurs much more often in them than in small breeds.

In a dog's first aid kit, especially knowing about the pet's predisposition to bloating, there should always be drugs against the formation of gases.

You can avoid bloating if you do not eat quickly. To do this, you can use labyrinth bowls and feed the daily portion not in one, but in 2-3 doses per day.

The correct feeding regimen will avoid many problems. The dog should not be given a drink an hour before or after meals, so as not to dilute it gastric juice, necessary for proper digestion of food, otherwise gases are formed. Physical exercise allowed only at least an hour before and after meals.

You need to transfer from one food to another gradually. Choose high-quality dry food that does not contain fat as one of the first four ingredients. It is better to give preference to foods low in carbohydrates, the source of which is cereals. It is known that grains ferment in the stomach, resulting in the formation of gases.

At natural feeding The diet must include at least 30% raw meat and a sufficient amount of fiber. Herbs for pets help reduce the formation of gases.

It is important to avoid stressful situations or minimize stress.

Prevention of flatulence is as follows:

exclude from the diet beans, cabbage and other foods that your pet does not digest well;
place the dog's bowl higher;
dry food can be soaked in water 15-20 minutes before meals;
make sure that the animal moves enough (this helps the best way out gases from the intestines);
Deworm your pet regularly.

Flatulence is not a health hazard, but does indicate a problem in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. If your pet passes gas frequently, contact veterinarian. It will help identify the root cause and eliminate it.

People rarely associate bloating in dogs with anything serious, and are perceived as an unpleasant but fleeting symptom. Meanwhile, this particular symptom may indicate serious problems with your pet's health, which cannot be ignored. The reasons leading to bloating are varied: this disease can be caused by both a poor diet and oncology. Therefore, when faced with bloating in their pet, it is important for the owner to remain vigilant and evaluate likely consequences this condition. We will talk about the reasons and scenarios why bloating in dogs develops below.

It would seem that bloating speaks for itself and is obvious even to an ordinary owner who has no knowledge of veterinary medicine. In reality, everything is somewhat more complicated, since experts distinguish two forms of this disease:

spicy;
chronic.

Acute form

In the acute form, the pet experiences severe discomfort, accompanied by painful attacks. This type bloating manifests itself in the context of other serious diseases, which we will talk about later, and can threaten the dog’s life.

The acute form is characterized by:

general restless state of the dog;
arching of the back due to attacks of pain;
ineffectual vomiting;
whining;
loose stools (sometimes).

Animals with acute bloat require prompt surgery to drain excess fluid from the abdominal cavity. Sometimes the acute form is not associated with liquid, but with air and excess gas formation, as a result of which the dog’s lungs can be compressed.

Chronic form

Chronic bloating involves less severe symptoms, which often remain a mystery to the owner, since the dog retains the same appetite and remains active. The causes of chronic bloating are most often dyspeptic disorders, liver problems, or even hormonal imbalances.

Causes of bloating in dogs

Abdominal bloating can occur both due to improper feeding and due to chronic diseases associated with dysfunction thyroid gland And hormonal imbalance. Therefore, without appropriate analyses, “by eye”, to determine the prerequisites for this unpleasant condition almost impossible. Next we will look at the main pathological causes bloating.

Worm infestation

Symptoms

Symptoms that indicate helminthiasis in a dog include:

Pyometra

Pyometra affects reproductive organs animal, representing inflammation of the uterus, and therefore occurs only in females. The main cause of pyometra is an increase in the level of the sex hormone progesterone, which occurs after the end of estrus. It is believed that mature individuals 5-6 years old are more susceptible to pyometra, however, signs of this pathology can occur in both younger and older bitches.

Pyometra is accompanied by the accumulation of abundant purulent discharge in the uterine cavity, which either remains in the organ itself or has the ability to exit the body. Depending on what happens next with this mucus, two types of pyometra are distinguished:

closed
open.

It is the closed, more severe, variant of the pathology that prevents the outflow of mucus that leads to bloating. The open form assumes open channel cervix, thanks to which mucus leaves this organ.

Symptoms

To the symptoms closed form Pyometra includes the following manifestations:

sudden loss of appetite, combined with incessant thirst;
general depression, weakness;
temperature rise to 40 °C and above;
attacks of vomiting, further worsening the condition of the body. dehydrating it;
bloating in the uterine area, severe pain on palpation and tension in the muscular wall of the organ.

Open pyometra can be completely asymptomatic, with the exception of an unexpressed decrease in appetite and small increase temperatures that are easy to miss. Open pyometra often takes on a chronic form, subsequently complicating the course of pregnancy in females.

Peritonitis

Peritonitis refers to inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity from the inside and protects the internal organs. It should be noted that peritonitis can hardly be called a disease as such, since it often acts as a kind of final point of a number of diseases, such as:

Peritonitis can occur even in completely healthy dog, if he decides to swim immediately after eating and encounters a natural volvulus. Others common reasons peritonitis, not related to diseases, are abdominal trauma or unsuccessful operation on the abdominal organs. There is also a separate viral type of peritonitis that occurs as a result of an infectious disease in an animal.

Symptoms

Peritonitis never occurs in a hidden form and involves very painful symptoms that the dog cannot hide. Among the manifestations by which peritonitis can be identified are the following:

Ascites

According to its description, ascites is in many ways similar to peritonitis. Like peritonitis, ascites is not an independent disease, but one of the manifestations of pathologies in neglected form. Just like peritonitis, ascites involves bloating due to the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the peritoneum. Moreover, peritonitis is often the cause of the development of ascites, which is also called abdominal dropsy.

Ascites often manifests itself against the background of the following pathologies:

oncology of the abdominal organs (a tumor can obstruct the outflow of lymph or compress blood vessels, leading to copious discharge exudate);
acute liver failure and other liver diseases;
heart disease, often associated with congenital defects;
urolithiasis and cholelithiasis, cystitis and other diseases that inhibit kidney function;
peritonitis.

Sometimes a prerequisite for the development of ascites is an incorrectly formulated diet that contains insufficient amounts of protein. Protein starvation can develop in animals whose owners prefer natural nutrition, but at the same time they do not give the dog enough meat (as the main source of proteins).

Symptoms

Regardless of the context of the disease in which the dog developed ascites, its symptoms are approximately the same and include the following manifestations:

Video - How to recognize ascites in a dog?

What to do if your dog has bloating?

If you notice an enlarged belly in your pet, the best thing to do in this situation is to take your dog to the veterinarian. Any home treatment can lead to sharp deterioration condition of the pet and even to its death. As we wrote above, bloating is often a consequence of serious pathologies in the animal’s body that cannot be treated traditional methods treatment. Time resources are very important because sometimes there are only a few hours available for help.

Prohibited actions

Before meeting with a veterinarian, it is strictly not recommended to:

give your pet activated carbon;
give your pet laxatives;
try to massage the belly: in most cases the dog simply will not let you do this;
giving your dog an enema: by your actions you risk damaging the animal’s rectum, especially if it was initially inflamed.

In some cases, an enema is prescribed to the animal by the veterinarian himself. With this development of events, it is important for the owner to learn how to correctly carry out this procedure (preferably under the supervision of the doctor himself). How to clean a dog's rectum can be read below.

Treatments for bloating

There is no universal way to treat bloating; any veterinarian prescribes a series of tests for the animal before starting to act. The only thing that precedes a dog examination is surgical intervention, designed to cleanse the abdominal cavity.

Passing the operation

IN general outline surgery to clean out the dog's stomach excess liquid, includes several main stages:

the animal is given intravenous anesthesia;
the surgeon opens the abdominal cavity and inserts a special probe to pump out the exudate;
after removing excess fluid, the surgeon performs gastropexy, that is, attaches the stomach to the peritoneal wall or to the diaphragm to avoid relapses;
Next, the abdominal cavity is sutured, and the animal is given a drip so that it recovers faster after the operation.

Dog's diet after surgery

After surgery, the pet is prescribed special diet, designed to prevent possible deterioration of the condition:

Feeding only ground food is allowed. In the first days, the dog eats mostly boiled rice, gradually adding small amounts of ground meat;
Portions must be strictly dosed. At one time, the dog should consume no more than 120 milliliters of these products, and the animal should be fed every hour;
any fermented milk or dairy products, despite their lightness and usefulness, should be completely excluded from the diet during recovery.

Treatment of helminthic infestation

The treatment for this disease, as you might guess, consists of undergoing treatment that the dog owner forgot about before. However, before giving your pet a certain anthelmintic drug, you need to consult a veterinarian, since not every medication may be suitable for your pet.

Exist different types worms, and therefore different types of treatment. If you choose the wrong remedy, you risk only aggravating the animal’s condition. To avoid such negative consequences The veterinarian will definitely order a stool test for the dog.

Drugs that have shown their effectiveness on adults are listed in the table below.

Table. Anthelmintic drugs for dogs

A drug	Dosage
	1 tablet per 10 kilograms of animal weight; 1 milliliter of suspension per 1 kilogram of animal weight
"Panacur granulate"	50 milligrams of substance per 1 kilogram of animal weight
	1 tablet (500 milligrams) per 10 kilograms of animal weight
"Pratel"/caption]	A quarter tablet for dogs weighing up to 2 kilograms; half tablet for dogs weighing up to 5 kilograms; tablet for dogs weighing up to 10 kilograms; 2 tablets for dogs weighing up to 20 kilograms; 3 tablets for dogs weighing up to 30 kilograms
	1 tablet per 10 milligrams of animal weight

The release form of anthelmintics is different. There are preparations in the form of suspensions (often intended for puppies), in the form of tablets, drops that are applied to the dog’s withers, and so on. All anthelmintics require an individual dose calculation based on the animal’s body weight.

You can read more about them, methods of their use, dosages that are safe for pets, advantages and disadvantages on our website.

Treatment of pyometra

Treatment methods for pyometra again depend on its form. Closed pyometra involves surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries. This method is considered radical, but the only one that allows you to save the dog’s life. Treatment open form pyometra is carried out conservatively and includes the use of antibiotics, hormonal drugs and other medications that the veterinarian will prescribe after a detailed examination of the animal.

To prevent this serious illness, owners are advised to periodically check the hormone levels of their pets (especially if we're talking about about mature individuals). When about elevated level progesterone is already known, the veterinarian prescribes special drugs to reduce it.

Video - Treatment of pyometra in dogs

Treatment of peritonitis

Regardless of what causes the peritonitis, the first thing the veterinarian does is remove excess fluid from the peritoneum and administer it to the dog. starvation diet so as not to provoke a re-exacerbation. If peritonitis was preceded by perforation of the intestine or stomach, then the pet must undergo a laparotomy.

Does postoperative treatment include the use of antibiotics to prevent the occurrence of foci of infection in a weakened body? and painkillers, allowing the dog to recover from attacks of pain. In addition to these drugs? drugs that improve heart function and other general health-improving medications are often prescribed.

Treatment of ascites

Since abdominal dropsy is a consequence of other serious disorders in the animal’s body, any treatment must begin with a thorough diagnosis. Of course, even before the examination begins, it is necessary to remove all excess fluid from the pet’s abdominal cavity to give him the opportunity to recover. It should be noted that a single removal of liquid in itself is completely useless. In the absence complex treatment previous pathologies will again make themselves felt and will again lead to ascites, which will be even more difficult to experience.

In most cases, one of the following drugs is prescribed for ascites:

"Veroshpiron";
"Furosemide";
"Temisal";
"Eufillin."

All of the medications listed are diuretics and promote the rapid removal of excess fluid from the body. Give to the dog similar medicines it is necessary strictly in the prescribed doses, otherwise the animal’s electrolyte balance may be disrupted, as a result of which the pet will lose a large amount of useful substances.

"Veroshpiron" tablets

Prevention

Says preventing bloating is just as difficult as treating it. Since bloating can be caused by anything from inflammation of the uterus to poor diet, prevention should be based on vulnerabilities in the pet’s health, of which the owner should be aware.

If we talk about bloating that occurs against the background of disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract, then the owner of a pet with this physiological feature can be given the following advice:

Try to give your pet crushed food. At the same time, you need to keep in mind that you should not give up solid food, since it keeps the dog’s teeth in good shape;
do not feed the dog before walks: this way you will protect it from volvulus;
do not give your pet water immediately after physical activity;
If you want to switch your dog to a new type of food, do it very gradually. You can read how to do this in a separate article on our portal;
When feeding your dog natural food, allocate at least 30% of the total diet to meat.

Stomach bloating is not uncommon for dogs. However, this is a rather dangerous condition due to the fact that stretching by gases leads to obstruction of the esophagus, or even torsion of the stomach and its further displacement.

As a result, the functioning of the lungs and venous outflow are disrupted, cardiovascular failure occurs, the animal experiences rapid shock and dies literally within one to two hours. Bloating in a dog is called flatulence.

Gases are always formed in the intestines as a result of digestion. But in a normal situation they move through the intestines and are pushed out.
Often, excessive gas formation in the intestines occurs when air is swallowed while eating, when the dog eats too quickly, swallowing food whole.
The most common cause of flatulence is profound disorders of the digestive system. They cause the accumulation of large amounts of gas in the stomach, which occurs due to rotting food debris. This occurs when the intestines have difficulty digesting certain foods.
Flatulence can also be accompanied by food allergies and intestinal diseases that disrupt its normal functioning.

Symptoms

Veterinarians are often blamed for the development of this condition.

The acute form of the disease is much more dangerous. At the same time, the dog whines and worries, its stomach is swollen and tense, diarrhea and vomiting may develop, its appetite decreases, and its gums become bluish or gray. An urgent visit to a veterinarian is required, who will conduct necessary research to exclude deficiency of digestive enzymes and intestinal diseases. As a rule, stool and blood tests are taken.

Treatment of bloating in dogs

The main task in the treatment of flatulence is to relieve bloating. To do this, it is necessary to rinse the stomach using an oroesophageal tube and introduce sorbents into it. Sometimes veterinarians pierce the abdominal wall with a special needle - a trocar, to remove gases.

In severe cases, intensive therapy with peristalsis stimulants is carried out with support for the cardiovascular system.

Preventive measures for flatulence

In order to avoid intensive care, it is best to feed the animal properly so that it does not have flatulence. This is especially true for large breeds of dogs, which most often experience bloating.
The diet of a dog prone to flatulence should consist of easily digestible food, divided into small pieces to avoid swallowing air. It is better to feed three times a day after a walk. You should not give your dog water to drink immediately after active play.
It is also better not to experiment with food, but to make any transition to a new diet gradually.

Increased gas formation in the pet's gastrointestinal tract indicates problems with digestion. What are the causes of flatulence? How to deal with excess gas in a dog?

There may be several causes of flatulence in dogs.

The formation of gases in the intestines is a natural process for any organism. If any food is not digested in the pet's stomach, or there is a lack of enzymes, flatulence occurs.

The reasons for its development include:

the presence in the diet of foods that are poorly digestible (any legumes, fresh white cabbage, potatoes, etc.);
lack of enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract;
obstruction (blockage) caused by a tumor or foreign body;
swallowing large amounts of air while eating food;
lack of movement;
fermentation of food due to impaired absorption;
dysbacteriosis;
helminth infection ();
gastrointestinal motility disorder.

Important. Flatulence is just a symptom indicating a disruption in the pet’s gastrointestinal tract. Usually this phenomenon does not bother the dog, but if there is a lot of gas, the animal experiences abdominal pain, worries and may refuse to eat.

Flatulence in a dog - what to do

If you notice that your dog is suffering from excess gas, contact your veterinarian. At the clinic, a specialist will examine your pet and find out the cause of flatulence.

If an obstruction is suspected, an x-ray with contrast should be taken. Stool analysis will help detect enzyme deficiency and dysbiosis.

Gas may occur due to foods; it is necessary to reconsider the dog’s diet.

Treatment is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause. If excess gas occurs due to any product, it is necessary, and then the problem will be solved without treatment.

In other cases, you can adhere to the following scheme:

Adsorbents and carminatives will help get rid of gases and remove them from the body: Enterosgel, Activated Carbon, Smecta, Polysorb, Espumisan (Simethicone).
If there is a lack of enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract, medications are prescribed: Creon, Mezim, Pancreatin, Pepsin.
To treat dysbiosis, probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are used: , Bifidum-SHJ, Bifitrilak, Embprobio, Lactoferon, etc.
To improve gastrointestinal motility, drugs are prescribed: Motilium, Motilak, Cerucal.
If increased gas formation is caused by a large number of helminths, it is necessary to rid the dog of them with the help of anthelmintics: Kanikvantel, Drontal, Milbemax, etc.

If the flatulence is caused by a blockage, surgery may be required to remove the foreign object from the intestines.

Advice. If gas formation is increased due to the dog swallowing a large volume of air while eating, it is recommended to feed the pet in small portions and raise the bowl to the level of the animal’s chest.

Preventing bloating

Prevention of flatulence is as follows:

exclude from the diet beans, cabbage and other foods that your pet does not digest well;
place the dog's bowl higher;
dry food can be soaked in water 15-20 minutes before meals;
make sure that the animal moves enough (this promotes better release of gases from the intestines);
Deworm your pet regularly.

Flatulence is not a health hazard, but does indicate a problem in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. If your pet passes gas frequently, contact your veterinarian. It will help identify the root cause and eliminate it.

Rapid abdominal enlargement in dogs, especially if it occurs over a short period of time (from 2-3 hours to 2 days), is very alarming symptom. In such cases it is necessary urgent help veterinarian, because delay in examination can kill the animal.

What causes painful abdominal enlargement

Painful and dangerous to a dog's health, bloating occurs for a number of reasons:

Violation of feeding rules, including the presence in the diet of bulky, easily fermented feed (bread, rolls, etc.), improper diet, and sudden movements by the animal while eating. All this can lead to volvulus.
Lack of regular walks.
Fluid accumulation as a result of liver disease, heart failure, trauma (bleeding, congestion Bladder). This can be checked. Take the animal in your arms and try to apply gentle pressure with your palm on one side of the abdomen. The hand placed on the other side will feel the fluid flow.
Accumulation of gases during peritonitis.
Inflammation of the uterus in females.

How to spot painful bloating

Among the symptoms that accompany painful abdominal enlargement are:

restless state of the dog;
vomiting with mucous secretions;
rapid heavy breathing;
swelling of the dog's sides in a short period of time.

What will the vet do?

In the most severe cases, from the appearance of the first signs of bloating to possible fatal outcome no more than 10 hours pass, so you need to see a doctor as quickly as possible. At the clinic, the dog is examined, examined (x-rays, ultrasound, etc.) and diagnosed, after which treatment is prescribed depending on the complexity of the situation.

So:

In case of ascites (impaired liver function, heart failure), diuretics are used, the animal is given vitamins and special medications. The fluid is removed by puncture of the abdominal wall.
In case of intestinal volvulus, immediate (within 4-6 hours) surgical intervention is performed.
Surgery is also required in case of endometritis.

Help from professionals

In our clinic, your pets will receive appropriate veterinary care as quickly as possible. You can bring your dog to us or call a doctor to your home. We guarantee careful attention to the four-legged patient, effective treatment according to exactly established diagnosis, constant monitoring of the condition of a recovering four-legged patient. We will do everything to make your dog active, vigorous and cheerful again.