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My dog has a bloated belly and is retching. Should I go to the vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 32 lbs

My dog has a distended abdomen that is firm but not hard. She has retched a few times today. Otherwise no symptoms of GDV. Normal behavior, no signs of pain, no pacing, no drooling, normal heart rate and breathing, normal gums, normal belly sounds, normal urination and bowel movements, normal appetite and thirst, sleeping in all positions, no pain with palpation. Should I be heading to the vet? Or can I just get her some gas-x and keep an eye on it?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 22nd, 2017

As long as she is acting ok you could monitor her for additional signs. If she starts retching, seems uncomfortable, starts drooling, is painful, or the distension persists then she should be examined by a vet. Your vet can take an X-ray to evaluate her abdomen and determine the exact cause of her problem.

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