Health Topics  >  Digestive  >  Abdominal Swelling

What is abdominal swelling in dogs?

If you notice your dog’s belly looks rounder than usual, this may be a case of abdominal swelling. The ribcage is inflexible, but the soft tissue of the abdomen can become filled with liquid or gas, causing it to expand and swell.

In some cases, your dog’s abdomen may be painful and firm, causing your dog to act differently than normal. This could include panting, restlessness, or pacing. In other cases, the dog may not seem bothered by the swelling if their abdomen remains fairly soft.

Abdominal swelling in dogs usually occurs when the soft tissue of the abdomen becomes filled with liquid or gas, causing it to expand and swell.