Abdominal pain

Symptoms of abdominal pain in dogs

Your dog can't tell you when he has abdominal pain, but he can give you some signs. Look out for the following symptoms that may indicate abdominal pain in dogs:

• Hunched posture: Your dog adopts a protective posture to relieve the pain. He pulls in his belly and hunches his back.
• Increased stretching: Your dog tries to relieve the cramps in his stomach by stretching often. He will do this in a kind of prayer position with his front paws stretched forward and his hindquarters up in the air.
• Drooling and licking: Your dog tries to induce a vomiting reflex to get rid of stomach contents. He drools and licks his mouth or the floor more often.
• Whining and whimpering: Your dog shows you that he is in pain by whining, whimpering or whining. He may also tremble or be restless.
• Hard belly: Your dog has a rock-hard and bloated belly. He is sensitive to touch and doesn't like it when you stroke or press his belly.
• Loss of appetite: Your dog has no interest in food or water. He may also vomit or have diarrhea.

Causes of abdominal pain in dogs

Abdominal pain in dogs can have many different causes. Some are harmless and go away on their own, others are serious and require veterinary treatment. Here are some common causes of abdominal pain in dogs:

• Food allergy: Your dog can't tolerate every food or snack. He reacts with an inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, which leads to abdominal pain. Possible allergens include cereals, dairy products or certain types of meat.
• Gastrointestinal infection: Your dog has caught a virus or bacteria that is attacking his digestive system. He has a fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Possible sources of infection include spoiled food, feces or other sick animals.
• Flatulence: Your dog has too much air in his stomach or intestines that he cannot pass. He has a bloated stomach and suffers from cramps and colic. Possible triggers are, for example, eating too quickly, stress or the wrong food.
• Inflammation of the stomach lining: Your dog has irritation of the stomach lining, which leads to increased acid production. He has heartburn, nausea and vomiting. Possible causes include stress, medication or spicy food.
• Gastric torsion: Your dog has a life-threatening torsion of the stomach on its own axis, which interrupts the blood flow. He is in severe pain, has a hard stomach and is unable to vomit. Possible risk factors include large dog breeds, deep chests or too much food at once.
• Intestinal obstruction: Your dog has a foreign body in the intestine that is blocking the passage. He is in severe pain, vomiting and unable to defecate. Possible foreign bodies include bones, toys or hair.
• Giardia: Your dog has a parasite in the intestine that leads to chronic inflammation. He has diarrhea, flatulence and weight loss. Possible routes of infection include contaminated water, feces or other infected animals.
• Poisoning: Your dog has eaten or drunk something that is poisonous to him. He has vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and lethargy. Possible poisons include chocolate, rat poison or pesticides.

Treatment of abdominal pain in dogs

The treatment of abdominal pain in dogs depends on the cause. In some cases you can help your dog yourself, in other cases you need to see a vet quickly. Here are some tips on what you can do:

• Don't give him food: If your dog has abdominal pain, you should not give him any food for 24 hours to protect his digestive system. Instead, give him clean, fresh water in small portions every 30 minutes.
• Give him a light diet: If your dog seems normal again after 24 hours without food and has an appetite, you can give him a light diet. This is low-fat, easily digestible food such as chicken breast, rice or mashed potatoes. Only give him a small portion to start with and slowly increase the amount again.
• Do not give him any medication: Do not give your dog any medication without veterinary advice. Many medications for humans are harmful or even fatal for dogs. This applies, for example, to painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Go to the vet: If your dog is in severe pain, is not drinking, is vomiting or has bloody diarrhea, you should go to the vet immediately. This may be a sign of a serious illness that requires prompt treatment.

Prevention of abdominal pain in dogs

It's not always possible to prevent abdominal pain in dogs, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk. Here are some tips on how to keep your dog's gastrointestinal tract healthy:

• Feed him properly: give your dog high-quality food that is appropriate for his size, age and health. Avoid food changes and don't give him leftovers from the table or other inappropriate snacks.
• Don't let him gorge: Give your dog several small meals a day instead of one large meal. Let him eat and drink slowly and avoid stress or excitement during feeding. Use an anti-snack bowl or food ball if necessary.
• Protect him from toxins: Keep your dog away from toxic substances that he might eat or drink. This includes chocolate, rat poison or pesticides, for example. Keep these things safe and dispose of them properly.
• Worm him regularly: Give your dog a worming treatment regularly to protect him from intestinal parasites. Follow your vet's instructions and use a suitable preparation for your dog.
• Vaccinate him regularly: Have your dog regularly vaccinated against infectious diseases that can attack his gastrointestinal tract. These include parvovirus and distemper, for example. Follow your vet's vaccination schedule and keep to it.