swollen stomach

My dogs stomach has swollen and is filled with fluid, i have been to the vets who thought it might be to do with her liver not functioning, but all blood tests have come back normal.  The vets havn't a clue what is wrong with my dog, she stopped eating, they have give her medicine to go to the toilet and heart medicine, and also some steroids to stimulate her to eat, she has eaten some chicken today and seems to have perked up a bit, but she is still full of fluid.  If the vets don't know what is wrong with her I don't know what to do.

She is a staffordshire bull terrier, i don't know much about her life before i had her, I found her 10 months ago, when I first had her she used to wet on my bed and in her bed, but she stopped that, she was a very lively happy dog, it is horrible to see her this poorly.  Any suggestions on what this problem could be.

Many thanks

[Red931]

I am sorry to hear that your dog isn't feeling well. Did the Vet prescribe the heart medication after this visit or did she already have a heart problem? Some heart problems will cause fluid retention.

There was a thread a few weeks ago about a dog that had this same problem and turned out to be fine. I am going to look back and see if I can find it so that you can read it.

Keep checking back as Ghilly or some of the others will log on with suggestions. I know something about this but my brain is a bit scambled right now with other things.

Soon as I find the other thread I will post back.

[Red931]

I remember now, that other dog may have eaten something he shouldn't have. I am wondering why the Vet didn't drain the fluid from your dogs stomach because this could be caused by a tumor that can't be seen because of the fluid in the stomach.

Your dog also could have eaten something that has caused a blockage. The most important thing is to find the cause of the bloat as soon as possible as the dog's stomach could flip. You dog ate something today though so I don't know if you are at that grave of a situation.

Knowing more about the heart medication and why it was prescribed will help.

[Red931]

BTW: You may want to get the opinion of another Vet quickly if the stomach is too bloated.

[Ghilly]

Did the vet draw off any of the fluid to see what it is?  There is any number of reasons that an abdominal cavity can fill with fluid, many of them quite serious, and there are quite a few different types off fluids that it could be, so before any kind of diagnosis can be given, the vet needs to determine what the fluid is so that he can determine where it is coming from.  In other words, you can't treat it if you don't know what it is.

The fluid could be anything from blood to urine to lymphatic fluid, and the only way to tell is to extract some and have it tested.  The reasons for the fluid can be heart disease, liver failure, cancer, the list just goes on.  I can understand your vet going with a conservative treatment at the beginning because you could end up paying hundreds and hundreds of dollars for tests and it could turn out to be something simple.  But if days are going by with no improvement, I would take her back to the vet and start running tests so that if it IS something serious, treatment can be started NOW when there's a better chance of doing something about it, rather than allowing it to progress to where treatment may or may not be possible.  Another way to look at it, and I know you don't want to hear this, is that if it IS something that cannot be fixed, you can decide whether or not your dog has a quality of life worth prolonging, or is she hurting badly enough to consider relieving her of her suffering.  I am not trying to scare you, I'm just trying to cover all the bases because abdominal fluid in an older dog is not a good sign.

Please keep posting and let us know how your girl is doing.  I hope she starts to improve soon for you.

Ghilly

[mishhd]

thanks all for your comments, my dog is eating a lot more now and is even more livlier when going for a walk, however her stomach is still swollen.  The vets did drain 1 litre of fluid from her stomach but still could not see anything on the xray because she still had water inside her, they have given me water tablets, which do make her urinate more but, still swollen, she is a lot better in her self today.

I must admit my dog had a habit of licking the water out of the drain, i caught her doing it a few weeks ago, why she did it i don't know because i have fresh water in most rooms.

Fortunately I don't have to pay the vets for treatment as we are on benefits, so its not like they are doing lots of tests to cost me money.

The vet was totally flumuxed and even asked a senior vet for advice still to no avail.

She said to take her back if she wasnt eating still and they would do more tests.  All of the tests for organ failure with her blood came back negative.

Lets wait and see how she goes, as i say she seems a lot better in herself even stealing a chew of my other dog.

thanks again everyone

[Red931]

That is good news. I hope the fluid drains off and it was nothing to worry about.

[iluvmyboys]

My dog was not eating for a while we put in on NurtCal its a supplement and it helps them eat. Also try her favorite foods and see what happends. I would try another Vet just to be on the safe side good luck hope she feels better!!!

[mishhd]

as its the bank holiday on monday i will take her back to vets on tuesday, she was a little like her old self today, i have tried her with everything, and she is eating chopped ham and pork, and even indulted in some steak today, costing me a fortune but well worth it if she is eating.

Her stomach has swollen more again though, its scarey not knowing what is wrong, i will update you with what the vet says on tuesday, obviously if needed i will take her to the emergency vet before then, although you say take her to another vet, the one i go to has 10 vets there, and they are pdsa so they do their very best for the animals.

thanks again all

[Red931]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but that food you are giving her is going to make her condition worse. It isn't good in the first place, especially if any of it was fatty. Ham is fatty even if you don't see any fat on it.

Has she been on this kind of diet for a long time? If so, that may be the problem or what has led to a problem. Too much fatty foods will cause problems with the pancreas.

Please try to give her some proper food. I know that you may be giving her these foods because she hasn't been eating, but it will truely make matters worse.

[mishhd]

i am only giving her these foods because that is all she will take in, she did not eat for a whole week and this was the only thing she would try, i just wanted to get her strength back until i find out what is wrong, she was fab yesterday, but gone quiet again today, she was even running round the park, alas back to square one.

I will watch her over this weekend, then when she goes back to the vet on tuesday they will probably take her in again and see what they can do,

It is so horrible to see her like this, she is mainly eating cooked chicken, well she was but as i say this has only been for a few days.  I am a bit worried about feeding her dog food after what i read was in it, you can't win, What do you do if that's all she will eat, i can't starve her and the vet told me to give her chicken and maybe scrambled egg.

Before she was ill she used to eat dog food, and dog biscuits, and she loved them, but now won't even entertain it.

thanks again, i appreciate your comments seriously i do.

[Red931]

Chicken is fine as long as it is boiled. My dogs get boiled chicken mixed in with their regular food all the time. The Vet has said that boiled chicken is fine for them.

I realized that you were probably giving her these foods because she was not eating and I said that, but these other fatty foods will make her conditon worse, I am sure of it.

It can be very dangerous for her to have bloat for too long a time period. If she continues to decline or fails to improve today you may want to take her to a 24 hr. Animal Hospital to have all of the fluid drained off so a diagnosis can be made.

As Ghilly stated, there are so many things that could be causing this and some of them are quite serious. If she is unable to eat much longer she is going to run into more health problems.

I am very sorry that you and your dog are going through this. Dogs can improve and decline in their health in a very short time and you are in a situation that is very tough right now.

[Ghilly]

I agree with Red.  If you have to feed her human food, please avoid things like ham because it is VERY high in salt and will not help her to get rid of excess fluids.  In fact, it will cause her to retain them.

If she will eat boiled chicken give her that until the vet can see her on Tuesday, but keep her away from anything with a lot of sodium in it while she's retaining that fluid.

Ghilly

[mishhd]

I am not giving her lots of the ham, I am trying to give her little bits at a time, as that is all she will eat and will not touch anything else, i do give her chicken more so if she will take it, she is still able to go out for a walk,  I know they will admit her on Tuesday as thats how long they have give me tablets for her, she is no different in herself than she has been for days, they have give her steroids to help her with her eating, she still pinches the chews off my other dog, so she has got the devil in her.

Hopefully on tuesday they can perhaps make some progress, (do I want to know thats what worries me).  I am cherishing every moment with her incase she is very ill and i have to make that decision I dread.

I am a level headed person, who loves my animals and no when i have to make decisions.  But when vets arn't sure what is wrong its difficult.  They said they will take her in and xray her again to see if they can see any mass growing, but the tablets given to me don't seem to have done her any good, she is still swollen, she looks like she is ready to have puppies.  My husband thought it was a phantom pregnancy, but it has been going on for too long now,  Thanks for your advice but what do i do if that is all that she will actually eat, i can't starve her.  Thankfully she is drinking and is not dehydrated, then i would be at the vets like a shot.  But I really think tuesday will be fine as there is no real difference to the way she is.

The thing I think it might be is some kind of blockage, as she can't go to the toilet, so will keep you informed and let you know what they find.

thanks again for your concern.

[mishhd]

none of the meat i give the dog is fatty, all lean.

[Red931]

I think it is a blockage as well, but you never know. The Vet can drain off all or most of the fluid to see what it is. I hope a diagnosis is made today and it is a treatable one.


Good Luck. Please let us know how she is doing.

[mishhd]

well everyone its not the news i wanted to hear.  The vet took one look at her and said it is more than likely a tumour, he doesn't want to open her up as he will probably not bring her back round again, he has basically told me to take her home make her comfortable and when i feel she is struggling then the decision has to be made, i asked if she was in pain, and he didn't think she was too bad, so will have a few days with my gal, then make that decision for her to go to my mum and dad in heaven.  Oh my god i am so upset, she is such a lovely dog.

Thank you all for your advice and i really wished it was going to be a better outcome, although deep in my heart i knew, just didn't want to knowl

thanks again all

xm

[Red931]

I am very sorry to hear that. Do you want another opinion? I am asking because you said earlier that all her bloodwork was good and her liver function panel was normal.

Does he think the tumor is located in the stomach?

[mishhd]

He said dogs don't swell like this unless it is very serious, I don't want her to go through exploratory surgery just for her to die on the table,

A fair few vets have seen her now, the thing is I don't know if she is an old girl or not, her stomach is enormous.  If she is old it could kill her anyhow.

I know in my heart and soul it is something very serious, she is so thin except for this enormous stomach,. her neck is like a puppies neck, how can i watch my baby suffer any more, i know i have to make that dreadful decision soon, just plucking up the courage to do it, as i am being very selfish to let her suffer any more of this.

I don't want to do tests and tests, she was on the table yesterday and she was so scared, she was shaking my only hope is she will pass peacefully at home with me, i can handle that a little better.

Its hard to take advice from anyone who hasn't seen her, the vet that saw her yesterday was lovely, very compassionate, he is one of the best vets at the centre.

can't let her suffer you no. xm

[DUKE2008]

Just reading this forum really sorry to read about your dog I hope she will pull through x

[xcharged]

Sorry to hear about your baby. Hope she's okay. My border collie hailey had a swollen stomach due to cushions disease.

[shell406]

Hi There
Can anybody enlighten me....my dog has fluid in his abdomen, the vet has advised me today he also has low protien and suspects kidney or bowel problems. He has had an xray and scan as well as blood tests which are all fine...Vet seemed to think it could be v. serious..have to go back for results on friday...v.upset can anyone put my mind at rest!!

[dominickvp]

My dog had the same thing a big belly and two dumd vets said she had a tumar with out even taking an xray ,thank god i did not liston to them i left my small town of  (dumb vets ) and drove 2hrs to tuffs animal hosp-in boston ma, thank god!!!!! they saved her life she had a bacterial stomach infection thats it /she got some meds and is now good as new while the dumb vets in my small town told me i should put her down so she wont suffer/ Please PLEASE!! fight for her life like i did. do what you have to do period.if i had listened to my town vets she would not be here with me today and as i right this to you i am a man in tears :-(   just thinking what would have happend to my beloved dog i love her like my child she is my best friend, PLEASE DONT JUST TRUST ANY VET JUST BECAUSE HES A VET ! FIGHT FOR HER LIFE YOU WONT BE SORRY /goodluck

[brad909]

I had a 3 year old beagle, she had a swollen stomach and it turned out to be a tumor, the vet xrayed her and couldn't see anything that hinted to it being a sold object that was stuck in her stomach, just a haze in that region... she was being sick every day and her perfomance on walks reduced to just going outside a few meters...they operated on her and said the tumor had taken over her stomach, grew through her intestines, into her kidneys and lym nodes... there was nothing they could do, not even with all the money in the world, they said it was the most aggressive tumor they had seen... The vets diagnosed her with Gasterentiritious (perscribed antibiotics but she just kept sicking up lumps of mass), and also the vet thought she was Anorexic...

For anyone who reads this, the early warning signs for stomach tumors:-

Reduced perfomance in walks, sicking up bile, funny with food (any food like there favourite food), agression with other dogs (if not in thier nature), swollen stomach, dehydrated stools and sleeping in one spot all day.

[mowielee]

I have a puppy with the same condition. Can you tell me what happpened to your puppy?

The vets have determined it is a heart condition, but we are still looking into treatment options.

Thanks

[lillisa84]

Low protein could b protein loosing enteropathy that's what my dog has u can manage it for a while with steroids n antibiotics but there's no cure we r coming up on a yr since her diagnosis but its not looking good. Best of luck to u

[mjm333]

We have a 6 year old dog that has same symtoms (symptoms). Low protein, excessive liquid in stomach.She is currently at the vet on an IV and steroids. Before that she was very listless and had bowel movement in our house - very uncharacteristic. What diet has your dog been on since diagnosed and how has its quality of life been the last year.

[mjm333]

We have a 6 year old dog that has same symtoms (symptoms). Low protein, excessive liquid in stomach. she is currently at the vet on an IV and steroids. Before that she was very listless and had bowel movement in our house - very uncharacteristic. What diet has your dog been on since diagnosed and how has its quality of life been the last year.

[ginger899]

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a similar problem with your dog, please start a new post. It will get a LOT more attention.

To post a question: Go to the top of this page, and click on the orange button on the left where it says "Post a Question". Then simply add a title for your question, and underneath, describe the problem (in as much detail as you like). Add "tags" if you wish, using main keywords in what you have written (but you don't have to)  If you wish to add a photo, click on "Add Photo", just underneath the "Tags" section.Then scroll down a little, and click on the green button where it says "post a Question". And your question will be displayed immediately on the Dogs Community page.

[Katie1437]

My golden retreiver yellow lab mix has a swollen stomach and chest area we noticed it today. She is getting old :'( and I don't want to loose her but we can't take her to the vet because we don't have the extra money! :'( is there anything you think I can do for her??? She eats healthy! She mostly grew Up on iams dog food and now is on a lamb and rice dog food diet. She has a sensitive tummy i think she Drinks a lot of water. N uses the bathroom frequently . Please help I dont want to loose my princess!!!

[2sad2dal]

Dont do my mistake; get a loan and get her to the vet; my yellow lab Tracy is going to be put to sleep tonight. 3 weeks ago she stopped eating or drinking water; throws up and feeling tired; i waited 2 weeks because of the money; when we finally decided to pay with my wife credit to at least see whats going on results came back with kidney failure; she is dying by the min and i still now do not have the money to pay for the procedure but will get a payday loan to be able to. even when the vet told me there was nothing i could have done different to save her, i am revolving with guilt for not taking her; she did not deserve this just because the stupid money; i have been very selfish and now i have to end her life because she have no life quality no more. Please, come to senses and do not repit my mistake. Read my post thread.
Wish you the best of lucks to you and your princess.

[SuperCharge]

Is your dog fixed? Could she possibly have pyometra?

[Ghilly]

I feel your pain, Ginger!  LOL!  Sometimes I wonder if anyone at all reads our "Please read this before posting" posts.  I guess this is our answer!  :/

Ghilly

[jadasgrandma]

I live in wilbraham, ma  was tufts expensive? I took my dog in today and they did test and all they can tell me is it is complex they dont know said she needs an ultrasound and an echo just the ultrasound alone is 500. I spent 620.00 today basically every penny. I asked what if i dont have the money and she basically said my dog will die they tested her fluid just said its not cancerous, can you give e any info on tufts I would do anything to make her better just dont know how I a going to be able to afford it before she gets worse, thanks Robyn  ***@**** jadasgrandma

[J713]

Hi, how is ur dog doing? My dog is going through the same thing right now. He's a 8 year old Lhasa apso. His stomach is very swollen and has not been eating. He has absolutely no energy to even walk. He also shakes very bad when he inhales.. do you have any advice..

[shereeree]

hey I have a staffishire to, he's a 3yr male and I'm goin through the exact same thing, I've been to 3 vets and they have kno clue, fluids have been drainedbut they still dnt kno, he still plays an eat but sometimes he has his day wen he barely eats, this have been goin on for 7mo now, have you  found out what was wrong wit  your dog?... I would love 2 kno that I can fix him I love my dog sooo much

[Jolenedr]

We took our three ear old chijauja to the vet today.  Swollen stomach,  they tested her for heart worms.  Negative there.  She eats and plays.  But is getting to where she looks uncomfortable.  We are trying her on a dewormer for five days as she could have a parasites in her intestine.  Doc said it could be a number things and include heart and liver.  They exrayed her and found no obstruction.  We are going to take it slow.  Will take a stool sample back.  We did notice about a month ago that her hair around her neck lightened up and now you can see thebones on her back. Will let you know how it goes.  Good luck with your baby.

[franno]

My dog is the same, swollen abdomen but has lost lots of weight, he is a staffy and is usually overweight, he has very watery stools and it just shoots from him but he eats all the time and is always begging (he never did this before) and sometimes feel he would eat us if we sat still. Do you think it is the same.

[andrea459]

My American Pit-bull Terrier is been on a decline for a few months now. We thought it was because he was gaining a little weight so we put him on a raw meat diet (chicken hearts and gizzards). He seemed to have lost a little weight and started getting more lively again but it didn’t last long. He started peeing in the house (which he never did). He is about 7 or 8 years old. He is not doing so good now. His stomach area seems to be really swollen and he has now seemed to experience some muscle loss and/or deterioration. It is really hard for him to get up, most times he can’t but after trying a bit he succeeds. His mid-section looks really heavy and even hangs lower than the rest of his body when he's standing. He breathes heavy and grunts when he moves (i feel like he may be in pain).

The weird thing is that he has not lost his appetite. ALL he cares about is eating (it's the only thing he gets up for). He also pees and poops regularly (the other thing he gets up for). It's like he knows once he lays down he can’t get up so he stays standing for a while when he gets up to decide if he has something else he wants to do :)

He doesn’t want to go on walks or get in the car (he relieves himself in the backyard). I took him on a walk today to try and get him moving, but pretty much had to drag him. He walks slow and with his head down.

We took him to a holistic vet as well as a regular vet, but no one knows what is wrong with him. The holistic vet performed acupuncture, blood work, and sent him home with several herbal supplements as well as some pain medication. The other vet ran x-rays but could not see any issues or masses. The blood work showed high liver enzyme levels (very high)….we are taking him to vet again to test for Cushing’s disease. After reading up on it, it sounds like it fits. Any advice or suggestions on the best test to prove it or a good treatment?

Any responses are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[aholtrop12]

hi i have a 4 year old LARGE black lab and he has always been a healthy active dog and last month we took a vaca and put him in a kennel, after that he has never been the same. first he lost his bark, then he wouldn't eat anything but grass and drink a lot of water, so my parents started to give him can food and he ate it very fast so they stopped then they noticed he threw it all up and now anytime he drinks he gets sick right after and now his stomach is swollen and hard the vet says they it didnt flip and that he is stressed from being in the kennel but it was over 2 months ago, i could tell he is jus not the same hes very sluggish. please help me i want to do everything i can for my best friend !

[avic0526]

hi..i have a puppy to had swollen tummy like he had a lot of water in his tummy.. i feed him a boiled chicken with rice.. but he's always craving for foods although he had a big tummy like watery inside..he's tough became pale.. please help!