9 Signs Your Four-Legged Friend is Having Tummy Troubles

For the dog-lover, few things in life are as difficult as watching a pet suffer. Unlike humans, dogs can’t say what they’re feeling, which makes keeping them happy, healthy and pain-free a challenge. When your furry friend has a tummy ache (or something more serious), it can be all-consuming and worrying. The best thing you can do is to trust your intuition and to know what stomach woes require waiting out and which should prompt a visit to the vet. Here are some signs signifying that your pet doesn’t feel well. 

1. Heavy Panting — Excessive panting can be a sign of a variety of different canine health conditions related to the digestive system, including poisoning, allergies and gastric dilation volvulus (GDV). Of course, panting can be totally normal, such as when a pet is hot in the summertime or energetic during playtime. Heavy panting can be a concern after big meals or after your pup has eaten something not usually in his or her diet.
2. Restlessness — Restlessness often accompanies heavy panting. If your dog seems like he or she can’t settle — i.e., they’re pacing throughout the day or wake you up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break — they may be feeling out of sorts and seeking comfort. Be sure to monitor your pup’s sleeping habits and note if their cycles are out of the usual.
3. Overeating — If your dog is eating too much and gaining weight, they may actually be struggling from a digestive disorder. In fact, eating too much or too quickly is closely linked to canine bloat and GDV, which is life-threatening if not immediately treated. Eating too much causes your pup to inhale excess air, which results in gas that can cause the stomach to expand and flip.
4. Undereating — Of course, when you notice that your one-time chowhound has suddenly turned picky, you should be at least a little concerned. Dog appetite loss could be a sign of an upset stomach, poisoning or allergy. Sometimes, a dog’s loss of appetite could be indicative of something more serious, such as renal failure, so be sure to take note of any other issues.
5. Diarrhea — Diarrhea is the body’s way of getting rid of any and all potentially irritating or poisonous toxins, so it can be a sign that your furry friend ingested something that isn’t sitting well. It could be something as simple as an enzyme imbalance that could be corrected by adding a digestive enzyme supplement to your pup’s diet. It could also be something more serious, such as a parasite, an infection (including parvovirus, distemper and coronavirus), liver disease, kidney disease, cancer and other potentially life-threatening issues.
6. Vomiting — Vomiting, like diarrhea, helps your pet get rid of toxins that could cause serious issues. Note that dogs may regularly vomit and regurgitate their food, even if it’s not associated with any serious digestive issues. However, if you notice that your dog is vomiting excessively, vomiting blood or has other potentially serious symptoms (such as bloody stool), there is a chance that they’re suffering from something that requires a visit to the vet.
7. Excessive Gas — Excessive gas is generally triggered by dietary causes, such as eating the wrong food or scarfing down dinner too quickly. With that said, sometimes it can be an indicator of something more pertinent, such as bloat, GDV or a serious food allergy. It’s probably nothing if your dog hasn’t strayed too much from their normal diet, but if you notice it after they ingest something they weren’t supposed to eat, it may be worthy of a call to the vet.
8. Constipation — Constipation in dogs is not unlike constipation in humans in that it can be caused by something as simple as too little fiber and something as serious as a tumor. Either way, it probably indicates that your dog doesn’t feel great. Adding fiber to your dog’s diet via canned pumpkin and other high-fiber foods can help prevent chronic constipation.
9. Blood or Mucus in Feces — As gross as it is, it’s a good idea to pay attention to your dog’s stool. If you notice anything unusual — blood, mucus or any discoloration — it may be a sign of tummy troubles. Red streaks, indicating blood, could be a sign of trauma in the digestive tract. Mucus can indicate that your dog has an inflamed colon. Of course, you should make sure there are no obvious non-food items in your pup’s waste.

 
Easing Your Pup’s Belly Blues
 
The first thing you should do when formulating a treatment plan for Fido is to seek the advice of an expert. A veterinarian will help rule out any chronic, genetic or life-threatening gastrointestinal issues and help you determine if your pup has any food allergies. If your vet rules the condition non-life-threatening and sends you home, you’ll want to introduce gut-friendly foods and digestive enzymes into their diet. Vets often recommend canned pumpkin, boiled chicken, beef broth and ice cubes (to keep the pup hydrated) for easing canine tummy troubles.
 
The most important thing you should do as a concerned dog owner is to know the warning signs of the most life-threatening and time-sensitive digestive issues, especially bloat and gastric dilation volvulus. If you know what to look for, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to respond quickly so that your pup’s tummy ache doesn’t turn into an emergency.  

Contributed by ​Morgan Walker Clarke