Bulging Stomach in a Puppy

Roundworms

• Puppies get roundworms from their mom through birth, which can cause bloating, along with diarrhea. If left untreated, roundworms can cause a bulging belly from ruptured intestines, which is a life-threatening condition in a puppy. To keep your puppy from contracting worms, puppies up to 12 weeks of age need de-worming every two weeks. After three months, puppies are treated once every six months, or unless there are signs of worms. Use caution around puppy feces in a child's play area. Roundworms can infest humans, causing serious health problems if signs and symptoms are not recognized.

Gastric Dilatation

• Gastric Dilatation, commonly referred to as bloat, is due to a dog swallowing air. As a puppy's stomach swells with air, the stomach may twist, trapping air, food and water inside of the blocked stomach. Because of the restricted blood flow to the stomach, a puppy may experience low blood pressure and damaged organs, sending the puppy into shock. The symptoms of gastric dilatation present themselves so late that there may only be hours or less to seek medical attention.

Peritonitis

• Peritonitis is swelling or bloating of a puppy's belly due to a bacterial infection resulting from a ruptured stomach or intestines. Be careful when feeding your puppy table scraps with bones. Digested bone splinters can cause a rupture in the stomach or intestines, as well as an ulcer or tumor. Along with a swollen belly, peritonitis is associated with vomiting and listlessness and like gastric dilatation can lead to shock and require emergency medical attention.

Other Causes

• Intestinal obstruction is another common symptom of belly bloat in a puppy, due to excessive chewing of foreign objects.

  Swollen bellies in a puppy may also be caused by overeating, internal bleeding due to trauma to an organ.

  Examine your puppy's belly for tenderness when touched, heat or palpable masses in the area, as these may indicate serious problems for your pooch.