Intestinal parasites (“worms”): Large numbers of worms in the intestine can cause distension of the abdomen, giving a pet a “pot-bellied” appearance. This is typically seen in puppies since they are more likely to have worms than older dogs. Simple treatment with de-worming medication usually cures the problem.
In puppies, abdominal distension after eating is quite normal. As long as they are bright and playful, and it goes down in a few hours, there's nothing to worry about.
Why do puppies have big bellies? Many puppies get fat little bellies simply from eating too much. Not too much as in too many calories but too much for their bellies. Puppies are born with tiny bellies and a hunger and need for lots of calories to grow quickly.
If your dog's stomach feels abnormally hard, that could be a sign that they're dealing with a stomach issue. Common stomach issues that cause a hard stomach include gastric dilation volvulus, peritonitis, and Cushing's disease. If your dog's stomach is hard, you should take them to the vet right away.
Bloat is a condition in which food or gas stretches your dog's stomach, causing abdominal pain. While it is more common in large breed or deep-chested dogs, any breed can develop bloat. Depending on the severity, bloat can be fatal if not treated within an hour or two.
Another common symptom of worms in dogs is a pot-bellied or bloated appearance. Roundworms is the most common type of worm to cause this symptom. A pot-bellied appearance is usually seen in puppies who have picked up worms from their mother.
If your dog's abdomen looks bloated or unusual, get your pet to a veterinary hospital or emergency veterinarian immediately, as timing can be critical. Called "the mother of all emergencies," untreated gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) can be fatal to a dog within hours.
Ingesting too much food or water quickly: When puppies eat food or drink too fast, they can inhale and trap large amounts of air in their stomachs and create bloat. The food or water itself can sometimes cause bloat, as a too-full stomach can press on other organs, no matter what is filling it.
Yes. It's not uncommon for your pup to experience some stomach upset after taking deworming medication as the dead worms pass through their system. Side effects are typically mild.
Dogs expose their bellies to us for two main reasons: as a submissive display, and as a request for a belly rub. It's important to know what your dog is telling you before you go in for petting!
In addition, a pup's belly shouldn't show signs of distention, bumps, or unexplainable mass. It should be smooth, slightly round, and clean. When touched, the pup shouldn't show signs of discomfort or pain.
b) For 3-month to 6-month-old dogs
Puppies will start to lose their pudginess and pot belly and form a more mature body type.
How do I know if my puppy is bloated? The most obvious sign of bloat is a full and distended belly. However, other signs include severe salivation, retching or vomiting, restless behavior, and salivating.
We often hear pet owners say that they cannot be overfeeding their pets as they are not overweight, but this isn't necessarily the case. Over-nutrition can cause health problems other than excessive weight gain including loose stools, abdominal discomfort and swelling.
Intestinal parasites (“worms”): Large numbers of worms in the intestine can cause distension of the abdomen, giving a pet a “pot-bellied” appearance. This is typically seen in puppies since they are more likely to have worms than older dogs. Simple treatment with de-worming medication usually cures the problem.
If your dog's stomach appears bloated, it could be due to a number of possible causes, ranging from mild to severe, including pregnancy, heart failure, liver dysfunction, uterine infection ("pyometra"), internal bleeding, as well as GDV, and several others.
For this reason, puppies should be dewormed early in their life, most often at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age. Once your puppy reaches 12 weeks, you can continue to treat your puppy every three months for life with an effective all wormer.
Dog Bloat - How Long Does It Last? In most cases of bloat the gas can actually shift after about 30 minutes. Try slowly walking your dog on the lead or gently massaging his belly to relieve some of the pressure. It's a great sign if you hear him belch or break wind because it means that the gas is leaving his stomach!
Toy-breed puppies will need 4 to 6 meals per day for the first three months of their lives. Medium-breed puppies will require three meals per day, and large-breed puppies typically need 3 to 4 meals per day.
Predisposed breeds include Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish Setters, Gordon Setters, Standard Poodles, Basset Hounds, Doberman Pinschers, and Old English Sheepdogs. In a recent study, the top three breeds found to be at risk of bloat were 1) Great Dane, 2) St. Bernard, and 3) Weimaraner.
Since worm infestations can sometimes show few to no symptoms, keep an eye out for any or all of these changes in your dog's daily health and appearance: Diarrhea, sometimes containing blood or mucus. Vomiting, which can sometimes contain adult worms. Weight loss, particularly if your dog has a good appetite.
Intestinal worms in puppies can cause diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, poor growth, organ damage, and even death. Many parasites your puppy might have, such as hookworms and roundworms, can also infect you and your family, which is why regular deworming is so important.
The Deworming Process after a Few Days
You may be surprised to still see live worms in your dog's feces after deworming them, but this is normal. While this can be an unpleasant image, it's actually a good thing — it means the worms are no longer living inside your dog!