Dog Stomach Ache Symptoms

Dog stomach ache symptoms may be caused by different factors. You can detect if your dog has a stomach ache judging by a few symptoms. Identifying the underlying cause and administering treatment should be a top priority to relieve the dog's discomfort.

Dog Stomach Ache Symptoms

If your dog is affected by a stomach ache you will notice a few symptoms such as:

• Lethargy
• Pawing the stomach
• The dog will hesitate to sit on his stomach
• Whining when you touch his stomach
• More frequent urination
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation (no feces for more than 48 hours)
• Flatulence
• Refusal to eat or drink

The stomach may also be bloated or swollen and tender to the touch. If you touch the dog's stomach, he may become suddenly aggressive and may also bite you. Be extra careful and make sure to be gentle when handling your dog.

Causes of Stomach Ache Symptoms

If the dog has a stomach ache, it may be due to one of the following problems:

• Food intolerance, as the dog's system rejects certain ingredients and may not react well when these ingredients are introduced
• Ingestion of foreign objects, which can hurt the stomach lining or cause an intestinal occlusion
• Intestinal worms, which may cause stomach or intestinal distress
• Liver problems, when the liver is swollen
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Kidney problems
• Stomach ulcers, which can be painful
• Stomach tumors
• Constipation
• The ingestion of contaminated water, causing bacterial infections

Additional Symptoms

A dog may display other symptoms which can be indicative of the problem causing the stomach ache in the first place. See if your dog has any of the following symptoms:

• Skin rashes, caused by food intolerance
• Itchy skin
• Jaundice
• Increased thirst and urination
• Bleeding or bloody vomit

Treating Stomach Aches

Most commonly, the stomach ache is not due to a serious health condition, so you may be able to treat your pet at home. You should give less food to your dog and if he refuses to eat, allow him to fast - but no more than 48 hours. You will also have to make sure to replace his water and clean the water bowl.

You should feed your dog a liquid diet for the following 48 hours. Opt for a formula that doesn't contain artificial preservatives. You can also prepare some food at home. If your dog has a stomach ache due to food intolerance, you should start some food trials to detect the ingredients your dog cannot tolerate.

Intestinal worms can be detected through a feces analysis and eliminated with dewormers. If the dog has a more severe health problem such as kidney or liver disease, hospitalization may be needed.