Ask Dr Claire

My dog has started panting like he is in pain and his stomach seems bloated and quite hard to touch

Panting is often a sign of pain and I’m also very concerned about the hard abdomen.

In a large breed or deep chested breed I’d be worried about bloat (when the stomach continues to distend with gas which cant escape) which is an emergency. 

Other conditions such as pancreatitis or peritonitis (amongst others) could give the symptoms you’ve mentioned.

A hands-on examination from your local vet would be a great place to start, and with urgency.

They may even recommend a blood test as a great way to assess your dog’s base health. Abdominal imaging (such as radiography and ultrasound) is often used in cases of bloated tummies.

Either way you are best to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible for a thorough examination and to start appropriate treatment. 

If you’d like to chat in person, you can get a vet on a live video call or start a chat to discuss in more detail now.

We’re here to help!

Chat soon,

Dr Claire