swollen tummy

by Natalie
(UK)

i have a 3 week old puppy with a large swollen tummy she is also very quiet and not gaining too well, i have wormed her and taken her to the vet who said she is constipated she has had three enemas and been given lots of liquid paraffin but there is no change, she is feeding well from her mother. please help, thankyou.




Hi Natalie
I really wish there was a way for me to help this little one, but I'm afraid that it's definitely a case for your veterinarian.

You could try to supplement her feeding with warm water with a little sugar in it, to help her get a bit more fluid in her. Also, a little bit of cows milk can sometimes help loosen the bowels. However, you need to be sure that it is actually constipation that is causing her distended tummy and other issues.... watch her carefully to see if she ever poops or eliminates. My A Constipated Puppy page has lots of tips and advice about this problem, but with such a young pup you need to be careful about what you give her etc.


If these measures don't help, and as she's had enemas, been dewormed and so on and is still having these issues, then you need to take her back to your vet and insist that he/she find out what's causing the problems.

If your own vet can't help, don't be afraid to seek a second opinion. I wish you the best of luck and hope this little girl is doing much better soon.