Did you just notice that your dog’s stomach is making loud gurgling noises and he seems to have lost his appetite? Although stomach and digestion-related problems can be caused by a lot of different factors, I’ll list below some of the most common ones when dogs exhibit this weird symptom.
Could be a sign of bloat
Bloat actually refers to the medical condition of a dog’s stomach becoming twisted and filling with gas. It is also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV. If not treated in time, bloat can actually become a very severe issue, in some instances even becoming lethal.
When in the initial stages of bloat, a lot of dogs will exhibit a lack of appetite as the main symptom. The stomach will also start to make some audible noise and this shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering that the tummy of the dog is filled with digestive content and gas.
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Among the most common reasons for blood development in dogs is how quickly the animal eats its food, although there are other reasons as well. Some dog breeds have a higher risk of developing this particular medical condition. Rottweillers and poodles are just two examples of breeds that are more likely to suffer from bloat throughout their lifetime. If you suspect your dog might be suffering from bloat, it is very important to get him to a vet as soon as possible.
Foreign objects inside the stomach
The loud noises coming from your dog’s stomach could also be caused by a foreign object that the dog has ingested and is causing a blockage inside the digestive system. It’s not uncommon for dogs to eat all sorts of things that their stomach will have a hard time digesting.
Anything from food wrappers to plastic bags and even shoelaces or socks can get inside the stomach of a dog because of the animal’s curiosity and silliness. If something is making the inside of the stomach uncomfortable, your dog will usually refuse to eat anything else.
If you believe your dog has ingested something that is blocking any digestive content from passing along, then you should take the pet to a vet as soon as possible. In some extreme cases, if the object is large enough to not have an easy passing through the endoscopy method, then your dog might need to go through surgery.
Presence of Intestinal Parasites
The presence of intestinal parasites inside your dog’s body could lead to symptoms like loud stomach noises and a lack of appetite. Although there are quite a few parasites that could affect dogs, the most common ones are tapeworms, whipworms, hookworms, and roundworms. The general lifestyle, health, and behavior of the pet will be affected in a lot of ways parasites are to blame. Along with stomach noises, your dog might also experience other symptoms, like scooting, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Other Digestive-related Diseases
The lack of appetite in your dog can be a sign of a number of digestive problems, among the most common being pancreatitis, colitis, gastritis, and gastrointestinal upset. In the case of puppies or unvaccinated dogs, you should also make sure that the symptoms can’t be attributed to canine parvovirus or other similar diseases.
Keep in mind that a lack of appetite split across multiple days isn’t normal and should be diagnosed. It is very important to take action and not brush off these symptoms as lite, because they might be signs of very severe conditions.
Getting prepared for a trip to the vet
To make sure you are prepared to give as much context as you can to a vet, there are some steps you will have to take in advance, in preparation for the consultation. Among the things your vet is most likely to ask are how often is your dog experiencing these symptoms, how active the pet is, how well is he sleeping and when is the last time he has eaten.
If possible, you should also try to write down any dietary or environmental changes your dog has experienced before exhibiting these stomach noises. Even a change in the type of water your dog drinks can be something you should tell the vet.
You might also have to prepare a dog stool sample, but do ask your vet if you have to bring one beforehand. Stool samples will have to be taken properly to ensure their validity. Among the most important things to keep in mind is that the sample will have to be brought in fresh and in a bag that is fully sealed.
Minimizing Health Risks
While looking for a diagnosis, there are some steps you should take to minimize any pain or discomfort your dog might feel, although you should double-check with your vet before trying any of these. Among these, are eliminating any foods or treats that are harder to digest by your dog’s stomach and giving the pet access to a decent amount of fresh clean water.
