A tight stomach is a concerning symptom that some dogs experience. It refers to abdominal distension or bloated stomach that feels tight to the touch. This tightness is often accompanied by symptoms like restlessness, panting, drooling, dry heaving, and retching. If the stomach appears bloated or swollen in addition to feeling tight, it can indicate a serious condition that requires veterinary attention.
Some common symptoms of a tight stomach in dogs include:
- Abdominal distension
- Bloated or swollen abdomen
- Abdomen feels tight or hard to the touch
- Restlessness
- Pacing
- Panting
- Drooling
- Dry heaving
- Retching
- Whining
- Discomfort
Determining the cause of a tight stomach is important for getting proper treatment. Some potential causes include gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat), food allergies, infections, intestinal obstructions, inflammatory bowel disease, and more. If your dog shows signs of a tight stomach, contact your vet right away.
Causes
There are several potential causes for a tight stomach in dogs, including:
Dietary issues like overeating or eating spoiled food can lead to gas and bloating. Eating too fast and swallowing air while eating can also cause a tight stomach. (Source)
Stress and anxiety can also contribute to stomach issues in dogs. The nerves and digestive system are closely linked, so stress can manifest physically as digestive upset. (Source)
Ingesting foreign objects like toys, rocks, or clothing can obstruct the gastrointestinal tract. Blockages and obstructions will cause the stomach to expand and feel tight or hard. (Source)
Gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat, happens when the stomach twists after filling with gas or fluid. This causes the stomach to expand and feel very tight. Bloat requires immediate veterinary treatment. (Source)
Diagnosis
If you notice your dog’s abdomen is tight or distended, the first step is to take them to the vet for an examination. The vet will perform a physical exam and palpate the abdomen to check for pain, swelling, masses, fluid, or gas. They may also take x-rays or perform an ultrasound to get a closer look at the abdominal organs and identify potential causes like blockages, tumors, internal bleeding, etc.
X-rays can reveal intestinal obstructions, tumors, pockets of infection or fluid accumulation. Ultrasound allows the vet to visualize the abdominal organs in real time and get a better look at the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, spleen etc. Ultrasound can help identify masses, inflammation, and fluid accumulation that may not show up on x-rays. Together, these imaging tests help the vet pinpoint the cause of the abdominal distension and tightness.
Bloodwork may also be recommended to check for signs of infection, pancreatitis, kidney issues, cortisol levels, and other systemic factors that can impact the abdomen. The results of the exam, imaging, and blood tests will allow the vet to make a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.
Home Care
There are several things you can do at home to help relieve a tight stomach in dogs:
Withhold food temporarily. Don’t feed your dog for 12-24 hours to allow their digestive system to rest and reduce gas buildup. Once symptoms start improving, reintroduce small meals of bland food such as boiled chicken and rice.[1]
Feed smaller meals. Feed your dog smaller but more frequent meals throughout the day rather than one or two large meals. This helps prevent them from gorging and puts less pressure on their stomach.
Slow down eating. Use puzzle feeders or slow feed bowls to make your dog eat more slowly. Gulping food and air can contribute to a tight stomach.
Provide adequate exercise. Make sure your dog gets regular, moderate exercise like short walks which can help stimulate digestion and relieve gas.
Reduce stress. Stress and anxiety can upset a dog’s stomach. Create a calm environment and use tactics like CBD oil to reduce their stress levels.
Vet Care
If your dog shows signs of bloat, immediate veterinary care is crucial. According to the University Animal Clinic, bloat is a life-threatening emergency that requires urgent veterinary intervention [1].
At the vet clinic, the first priority will be stabilizing your dog. This usually involves administering IV fluids to restore blood pressure and improve circulation. The vet may also give medications like pain relievers, sedatives, or drugs to stabilize heart rhythm and blood pressure.
Your dog will be closely monitored with blood tests, x-rays, and other diagnostics to assess the condition. According to VCA Hospitals, x-rays can confirm if the stomach has twisted and help determine if surgery is needed [2].
If a foreign object is obstructing the stomach or it has twisted, immediate surgery will be necessary. During surgery, the veterinarian will untwist the stomach if needed and remove any blockages. Usually the stomach is tacked down to the body wall to prevent another episode of bloat.
Prevention
There are several steps dog owners can take to help prevent bloat or GDV in their dogs. According to Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat), using a raised feeder can help reduce the risk of bloat by keeping the dog from having to bend down to eat or drink. Slow feed dog bowls can also help prevent dogs from eating too quickly and gulping air, which is a risk factor for bloat.
Feeding smaller, more frequent meals is recommended rather than one large daily meal. Avoiding foods that expand in the stomach, like soy, peas, and beans, may also help reduce bloat risk according to Bloat: Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus in Dogs. Keeping the dog calm and avoiding vigorous exercise, play, or stress for 1-2 hours after eating can prevent physical activity from causing the stomach to twist.
When to See a Vet
There are certain signs and symptoms that indicate your dog requires urgent veterinary attention for their tight stomach. These include:
- Repeated vomiting – Vomiting more than 2-3 times in an hour is a red flag
- Abdominal pain – Crying, whimpering, or groaning can signal stomach or abdominal pain
- Swollen abdomen – A tight, bloated, or distended stomach or belly requires immediate vet care
- Difficulty breathing – Trouble breathing or rapid shallow breaths point to an emergency
- Lethargy – Extreme tiredness or unwillingness to move are dangerous signs
According to the Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, if these signs persist for over 48 hours or any of the above criteria are present, you should take your dog to the vet right away. Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and other problems if left untreated. Don’t wait – contact your vet promptly if your dog shows any of these stomach ache symptoms.
Sources:
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/dogs-stomach-ache/
Outlook
With rest and diet changes, a dog’s tight stomach will usually resolve on its own. However, it’s important not to ignore a tight stomach, as it can potentially become quite serious if left untreated, especially in larger dog breeds.
According to the ASPCA, “Bloat can become life-threatening for a dog rapidly, therefore a dog who is experiencing belly distention and discomfort should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.”1 They note that larger dog breeds with deep chests, like Great Danes, Standard Poodles, and Doberman Pinschers are at increased risk.
The overall prognosis for bloat depends on several factors, including how long the dog exhibited symptoms, the severity of the bloat, and if the stomach has twisted. With prompt veterinary treatment, dogs have an excellent prognosis if there is no stomach twisting. However, mortality rates are high once the stomach becomes twisted, ranging from 10-60% even with treatment.2
With close monitoring and preventative measures, owners can help reduce their dog’s chances of life-threatening bloat. But any signs of a tight swollen stomach should be addressed by a vet right away.
Warning Signs
Some warning signs that your dog may have a tight stomach or bloat include:
Prolonged vomiting – If your dog is trying to vomit but nothing is coming up or only a little fluid comes up, this can be a sign of a tight stomach or bloat. Vomiting may happen repeatedly with little production.[1]
Abdominal distension – A visually swollen or bloated abdomen is a classic sign of a tight stomach or bloat. The abdomen may feel tight and hard.[2]
Pale gums – Check your dog’s gums for signs of anemia. Pale gums or gums with a blue/gray tint can indicate a tight stomach or bloat.[3]
Difficulty breathing – Dogs with a tight stomach may breath rapidly and have difficulty getting comfortable. Pressure on the diaphragm makes breathing labored.[1]
Lethargy – A tight stomach is extremely painful for dogs. You may notice lethargy, weakness, or discomfort.[3]
If your dog shows any of these warning signs, contact your vet immediately as bloat can become life-threatening very quickly.
[1] https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/bloat-in-dogs
[2] https://vmccny.com/gastric-dilatationvolvulus-bloat/
[3] https://wagwalking.com/condition/distended-abdomen
References
American Kennel Club. (2020). Ten things you must know about canine bloat. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/bloat-in-dogs/
ASPCA. (n.d.). Bloat in dogs. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/bloat
PetMD. (2020). Bloat in dogs: An emergency twisted stomach condition. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/c_dg_bloat_torsion
Rover. (2019). Bloat in dogs: Detection, treatment, prevention + more. https://www.rover.com/blog/dog-bloat-detection-treatment-prevention/
WebMD. (n.d.). Bloating in dogs. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/bloating-dogs#1
