Articles with distended abdomen

Gastric Torsion in Dogs: Jack’s Emergency Surgery

Gastric torsion, also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening condition in dogs. Large, deep-chested breeds are especially susceptible. Some of the breeds at risk are Great Danes, Dobermans, Weimaraners, Gordon Setters, Irish Setters, and Saint Bernards. Any dog parent, however, should be aware of the symptoms. Symptoms of gastric torsion come on fast and include: distended/swollen…

by Jana Rade

Swollen Abdomen in a Puppy: Tilly’s Story

Of the top of your head, can you list three or more potential causes of a swollen abdomen in dogs? How about if the dog is a puppy? Tilly was a happy, active puppy. Nothing was obviously wrong with her except her pot belly. Maybe she was eating a bit too much? Maybe that’s how a puppy ought to look?…

by Jana Rade

Distended Abdomen in a Dog: Gretel’s Brush With Scary Bloat

Should you rush your dog to the vet at the slightest sign of not feeling well? What if their stomach is swollen and hard? There are times when things are best left to resolve on their own and there are times where not treating is the better strategy. Particularly when treatment equals drugs, such as antibiotics, steroids and the like.…

by Jana Rade

Splenic Tumors in Dogs: Buddy’s Distended Abdomen

Splenic tumors in dogs are not always malignant but are always life-threatening. Buddy is a fierce, brave Jack Russel Terrier; a true representative of his breed. He is in charge of his world. Buddy’s parents observed no red flags about his health except for his belly. Buddy’s belly seemed to be growing in front of their eyes. How could that…

by Jana Rade

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer by day, dog health advocate, dog writer, member of the Dog Writers Association of American and an award-winning author. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Endless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care in my own hands. I learned the hard way that simply seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to finally get a diagnosis for her initial issue. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people how to recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners . What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

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