Bloating in a puppy?

by courtney
(Australia)

After my puppy eats his tummy gets huge and he starts panting.

Is this bloating and should i take him to a vet immediately?


Hi Courtney
I'm not sure how old your pup is, or of what breed, but it definitely sounds as though he's having a problem of some sort.

Bloating doesn't usually occur on a regular basis as once it's happened, it is often fatal if not treated. You can find out more about bloat on my Interview with The Great Dane Lady It can happen in any breed, but is much more common in large, deep-chested breeds such as Great Danes.

I would definitely recommend that you take your pup to your veterinarian for an examination as soon as possible, so that you can find out what is causing these symptoms.

If your puppy is gobbling down his food very, very fast, and/or is eating too much, it's possible that this is what is causing the problem. For him to do this regularly though, and to be so distressed by it, it's also possible that your pup has a blockage of some sort, possibly a severe worm infestation, or a defect in his digestive system. Of course, I'm not a vet and there could be all sorts of other reasons for this too, so get a professional opinion right away.

The panting is a sign of stress, so whatever is causing this needs to be diagnosed and treated. I wish you the best of luck and hope your little guy is doing much better soon.