Experienced breeders question about distended abdomen on pup - YorkieTalk.com Forums

yorkielady06 · 07-31-2010, 10:13 AM

I have a friend that just has a pup. I think there may be something wrong with this pup and need some input.

He is 13 weeks old and already been wormed twice. His stool is firm and no visible parasites. He is somewhat lazy/calm. He wakes up for food and whines when he is done for more. He swallows it whole and his amount is gone within 1 min and he is whining for more. He is being fed 4 times a day and getting a more than what is called for on the bag.But seems hungry all the time. She is going to start soaking it prior to feeding him so that he does not bloat further But he arrived 2 days ago with this very large and firm abdomen. We immediately thought roundworms and began worming with panacur/albon/flagyl to cover all bases. But nothing in 2 days and stools are still firm.

Then tried infant gas drops thinking gas but nothing.
Now when I say round and large belly I mean his chest is approx. 2 inches wide when standing on hind legs and his abdomen is over 6 inches wide. It is your typical drum sounding taut belly. When I palpate it the hardness does not allow it. He does not cry out or whine with that? I have no advice for this person. I just know it does not look right. Anyone have this before? Ideas besides worms.
Not something she should run to the Emergency vet for but just looking to see if other breeders have experienced this and what am I missing?

yorkielady06 · 07-31-2010, 12:07 PM

Figured out the problem...full of food and poop

JessicaT · 07-31-2010, 12:37 PM

Was he constipated?

Maineyorkiemom · 08-01-2010, 06:05 AM

This pup poops alot, piles of it for a little guy. But nice poops, firm, not a problem there. But, he acts starved all the time. His food right now is being soaked to capacity before its given to him, and he wolfs it down without chewing. Then he is distended again. He is not being overfed by any means. Never seen a dog act like this. strange.

yorkielady06 · 08-01-2010, 06:58 AM

Looking up bloat on the net and he has symptoms of it just not too severe and I think it was caught in time. Anyone else have a Yorkie with this?

bjh · 08-01-2010, 07:59 AM

Has this puppy been seen by a vet? I don't recommend worming without knowing if it is necessary. You could be doing a lot of damage to the pup by giving him a lot of unnecessary drugs. I have read that flagyl should not be given to puppies. What type of food is the puppy on? The bloating could be caused by flatulence (gas building up in abdomen) or something more serious like a pancreatic disorder or liver disorder. I have also read that Flagyl (metronidazole) can cause bloating.

Maineyorkiemom · 08-01-2010, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjh

Has this puppy been seen by a vet? I don't recommend worming without knowing if it is necessary. You could be doing a lot of damage to the pup by giving him a lot of unnecessary drugs. I have read that flagyl should not be given to puppies. What type of food is the puppy on? The bloating could be caused by flatulence (gas building up in abdomen) or something more serious like a pancreatic disorder or liver disorder. I have also read that Flagyl (metronidazole) can cause bloating.

The dog arrived with distended abdomen. Flagyl is given to pups all the time, in correct dosage. This pup is on the same food the breeder had him on which is Fromm Puppy Food, an excellent dogfood. The pup will visit the Vet in the next day or two, as soon as he can be fitted in for xrays, blood panel and checkup. This pup has no gas, poops are firm, not runny. Food just sits too long in the stomach. Digestive issue of some sort? Dont know.

YorkieRose · 08-01-2010, 10:43 AM

I have seen this problem a few times with pups who have to fight for food with littermates.
A neighbor and her sister bought puppies from a breeder I knew..went to her kennel, marked her off my list as reputable. Her puppies fought for the food when it was put down..they were fed 2 times a day..no free feeding and when the food was gone, it was gone..and some pups did not get enough.

I have had a few rescues and they ate until they vomited for the first few weeks..I had to limit the amount..and feed 4 small meals a day instead of two normal size...this may not be your puppies problem..just offering my experince.

gardenyorkies · 08-01-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

I have seen this problem a few times with pups who have to fight for food with littermates.
A neighbor and her sister bought puppies from a breeder I knew..went to her kennel, marked her off my list as reputable. Her puppies fought for the food when it was put down..they were fed 2 times a day..no free feeding and when the food was gone, it was gone..and some pups did not get enough.

I have had a few rescues and they ate until they vomited for the first few weeks..I had to limit the amount..and feed 4 small meals a day instead of two normal size...this may not be your puppies problem..just offering my experince.

I agree with this info...I would divide his food up into many small meals for a while until he slows down and stops gobbling food...What breed puppy is this?...Flagyl (metrodiazonle) is not the drug of choice for young puppies.

Maineyorkiemom · 08-01-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardenyorkies

I agree with this info...I would divide his food up into many small meals for a while until he slows down and stops gobbling food...What breed puppy is this?...Flagyl (metrodiazonle) is not the drug of choice for young puppies.

Pup is a 13 week old yorkie-and we are dividing a days portion into 3 smaller meals. He salivates when you open the bag, or make his bowl of food. He chows it down in 5 seconds, no chewing, just swallowing, then his belly balloons and gets hard as a rock.

YorkieRose · 08-01-2010, 01:30 PM

Unless you reared him from day one and know his situation, I would strongly lean to him having to fight for food...

I would give him at least 6 small meals..and use cherrios's for treats in between. They will not fill him up and still be a yummy to make him happy..soon he will learn he is ok and can trust you to feed him with he is hungry.

The reason his belly swells is because he is gulping air due to eat too fast..

bjh · 08-01-2010, 01:34 PM

Good luck with the vet visit. I hope all is well with him. You might consider giving him something like Bene-bac. It might help with his digestion. Are you giving him anything to chew on? A chew like the C.E.T. chews might help keep his mind off food.

YorkieRose · 08-01-2010, 01:38 PM

Yes..I agree...spend alot of time with him, games, outside..etc

yorkielady06 · 08-01-2010, 01:38 PM

Great advice.. give that a try??

Marilize · 08-01-2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

Unless you reared him from day one and know his situation, I would strongly lean to him having to fight for food...

I would give him at least 6 small meals..and use cherrios's for treats in between. They will not fill him up and still be a yummy to make him happy..soon he will learn he is ok and can trust you to feed him with he is hungry.

The reason his belly swells is because he is gulping air due to eat too fast..

Great advice! I agree. This sounds like a doggie that didn't get all he wanted to eat for a while. I'm not criticizing the breeder, but not all puppies get enough. But it really sounds like this puppy is desperate for food and as a result, he overeats and bloats.

Small meals, some Benebac (or other probiotic), exercise and treats between meals should get this puppy sorted out. Exercise does wonders for the digestion!

07-31-2010, 10:13 AM	#1
yorkielady06 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Up North Posts: 808	Experienced breeders question about distended abdomen on pup I have a friend that just has a pup. I think there may be something wrong with this pup and need some input. He is 13 weeks old and already been wormed twice. His stool is firm and no visible parasites. He is somewhat lazy/calm. He wakes up for food and whines when he is done for more. He swallows it whole and his amount is gone within 1 min and he is whining for more. He is being fed 4 times a day and getting a more than what is called for on the bag.But seems hungry all the time. She is going to start soaking it prior to feeding him so that he does not bloat further But he arrived 2 days ago with this very large and firm abdomen. We immediately thought roundworms and began worming with panacur/albon/flagyl to cover all bases. But nothing in 2 days and stools are still firm. Then tried infant gas drops thinking gas but nothing. Now when I say round and large belly I mean his chest is approx. 2 inches wide when standing on hind legs and his abdomen is over 6 inches wide. It is your typical drum sounding taut belly. When I palpate it the hardness does not allow it. He does not cry out or whine with that? I have no advice for this person. I just know it does not look right. Anyone have this before? Ideas besides worms. Not something she should run to the Emergency vet for but just looking to see if other breeders have experienced this and what am I missing? Last edited by yorkielady06; 07-31-2010 at 10:15 AM.

08-01-2010, 06:05 AM	#4
Maineyorkiemom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lewiston Posts: 48	distended belly This pup poops alot, piles of it for a little guy. But nice poops, firm, not a problem there. But, he acts starved all the time. His food right now is being soaked to capacity before its given to him, and he wolfs it down without chewing. Then he is distended again. He is not being overfed by any means. Never seen a dog act like this. strange.

08-01-2010, 01:30 PM	#11
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	Unless you reared him from day one and know his situation, I would strongly lean to him having to fight for food... I would give him at least 6 small meals..and use cherrios's for treats in between. They will not fill him up and still be a yummy to make him happy..soon he will learn he is ok and can trust you to feed him with he is hungry. The reason his belly swells is because he is gulping air due to eat too fast.. Last edited by YorkieRose; 08-01-2010 at 01:31 PM.

07-31-2010, 12:07 PM	#2
yorkielady06 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Up North Posts: 808	Figured out the problem...full of food and poop

07-31-2010, 12:37 PM	#3
JessicaT Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: athens, ga Posts: 81	Was he constipated?

08-01-2010, 06:58 AM	#5
yorkielady06 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Up North Posts: 808	Looking up bloat on the net and he has symptoms of it just not too severe and I think it was caught in time. Anyone else have a Yorkie with this?

08-01-2010, 07:59 AM	#6
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	Has this puppy been seen by a vet? I don't recommend worming without knowing if it is necessary. You could be doing a lot of damage to the pup by giving him a lot of unnecessary drugs. I have read that flagyl should not be given to puppies. What type of food is the puppy on? The bloating could be caused by flatulence (gas building up in abdomen) or something more serious like a pancreatic disorder or liver disorder. I have also read that Flagyl (metronidazole) can cause bloating.

08-01-2010, 10:43 AM	#8
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	I have seen this problem a few times with pups who have to fight for food with littermates. A neighbor and her sister bought puppies from a breeder I knew..went to her kennel, marked her off my list as reputable. Her puppies fought for the food when it was put down..they were fed 2 times a day..no free feeding and when the food was gone, it was gone..and some pups did not get enough. I have had a few rescues and they ate until they vomited for the first few weeks..I had to limit the amount..and feed 4 small meals a day instead of two normal size...this may not be your puppies problem..just offering my experince.

08-01-2010, 01:34 PM	#12
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	Good luck with the vet visit. I hope all is well with him. You might consider giving him something like Bene-bac. It might help with his digestion. Are you giving him anything to chew on? A chew like the C.E.T. chews might help keep his mind off food.

08-01-2010, 01:38 PM	#13
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	Yes..I agree...spend alot of time with him, games, outside..etc