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dog stomach is swollen but is still acting normal
Optional Information: Age: <1; Male; Breed: Boxer Already Tried: Nothing
Hi Dauber, How old is your dog? Is your dog up to date on his vaccinations? Has your dog ingested any bones or non food items recently? What color are the gums? Is his stools loose or firm? Any blood or mucous in the feces?
13 weeks All vaccination are up to date not that i know of that he has eatting any thing a normal pink gum Stool loose no blood or mucous in feces
Hi Dauber, Most likely if your dog is eating and drinking normally, then it is parasites such as worms. They do cause a distended stomach and loose stools. The most common worms found in dogs are: Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms, and Whipworms and Heartworms. In some cases these worms are passed from the mother to the puppy, in other cases such as tapeworms, they are contracted by other methods such as ingesting an infected flea. Most over the counter medicine will only kill one or two types of worms, so your best bet is to take a fecal sample to your vet to determine the type of worms your dog may have and then decide on treatment. Dogs should be checked for worms periodically even if they appear healthy. This is so if your pet does become ill, you are not fighting a worm infestation along with a more serious problem. For additional information about worms, see this site http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/worms.html Common dewormers are Panacur, which is a prescription product so you need to obtain it from your Vet and it works on roundworms and whipworms. Wormers labeled as Pyrantel Pamoate are the best over the counter medication for roundworms. Drontal plus is also a prescription product and is used for the treatment of Tapeworms, though dewormers with praziquantel work well against tapeworms. Revolution and Interceptor as well as other heartworm medications also control whipworms and roundworms. Another reason to keep your dog on Heartworm medication. I hope this information is helpful to you.
There is nothing in his feces and that he was just at the vet for worming last week
Dauber, Deworming is usually done at least twice and there is 2 weeks between the deworming. Dewormers kill the adult worms, so it needs to be repeated to catch the newly hatched worms. Unless the worm load is heavy it is unlikely you would see any sign in the feces. It is also possible that your dog was dewormed for one type and has the other type of worm, but of course, a quick fecal sample taken to your vet can verify if worms are present. This is the likely cause in a pup this age. Pups do tend to have distended pups due to worms and after feeding. The other cause would be the possibility that something had punctured the gastrointestinal tract causing peritonitis. There are other symptoms such as vomiting with this which you don't indicate. http://www.petplace.com/dogs/peritonitis-in-dogs/page1.aspx Other causes would be constipation which you don't indicate, bloat and cushings. You can read about bloat and cushings below, though it is doubtful that these would be the cause. http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm http://www.petplace.com/dogs/hyperadrenocorticism-cushing-s-syndrome-in-dogs/page1.aspx
Experience: Former vol Vet Assistant.Breeder 16+ years Dog trainer / behaviorist