My senior dog has a swollen belly, is lethargic, and vomiting. What's wrong?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Miniature Pinscher | Female | unspayed | 4.5 lbs
My10 yr old min pin has a firm distended abdomen, has been lethargic for 3 days and has had a couple of emesis. What can I try to help her?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 7th, 2019
I would take Bella into a vet immediately. I see that she isn't spayed, and I would be concerned that she could have a pyometra. A pyometra is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. Please take her into a vet now.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on December 25th, 2016
That's good to hear! Thank you for further information on Bella :-) I think it's a great idea to have her spayed in the spring. With a pyometra, you see vomiting, lethargy, drinking a lot of water, shivering, anorexia, painful abdomen, a swollen abdomen, and possible discharge from the vaginal area. Because I can't see Bella in person, I can't say for certain what she has, but when an unspayed dog displays the symptoms you described with Bella, that's a differential diagnosis that comes to mind. Because they are fatal if not treated, I'm always going to err on the side of caution and recommend a trip to the vet right away. It's good that she ate the white meat chicken, and if she seems a bit better, you can continue to feed her the white meat chicken (no bones) and add in some white rice with it. Give it to her in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Should she show any of the signs I mentioned above, then I would rush her into a vet right away; otherwise, bring her in on Tuesday if she still isn't feeling better. I hope she feels better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Hello, i am really sad. My dog was ok untill 3 days ago when he suddenly vomited and after that started getting lethargic and vomiting water everytime after drinking it, also refuses to eat, slighlty unstable on walking. My dog is older than 10 years
My dog is very lethargic, she has a swollen abdomen, short shallow breaths and panting abnormally. Can u tell me what could be wrong from her symptoms?
HI my dog Bubbles I believe is sick or she might be I really don't know. Symptoms- Vomiting Watery eyes Weakness Refuses to interact with us (This is the first time she's ever been sick) Please answer should I be worried?? Is it something serious?
My dog Bella has been vomiting since late yesterday. Her body is warm and she seems to look/act like she doesn't feel well (no energy, laying around). Got her to drink some water but she wasn't able to keep in down. Vomit color started off at clear a
My 5 month lab/ Great Pyrenees has been experiencing stomach pains she’s had diarrhea she tried she was trying to throw up this morning but nothing would come out. She seems lethargic and has no appetite and she didn’t seem to want to drink water. W
Bella is almost 11 years old she’s a lap / pit mix She’s been vomiting about 2 /3 times this past 3 days she’s had diarrhea she won’t eat but she will drink. She’s notmally very playful and energetic but now she’s very relaxed and just sleeping all
Timberlynn's abdomen , near her ribs seems to be bloated. Shes also been throwing up alot lately also. Its been this way for a few weeks now & im beginning to worry. She is getting to be a senior dog, is this something i should worry about?
My grandmother passed and i took her dog bailey, she never had her shots and for a week not her stomach has gotten swollen and she is not eating :( can you help me. i dont know what to do.
My 75lb overweight 9 year old lab mix is lethargic, hasn't eaten in about a week, is suddenly incontinent, appears to have an enlarged stomach, and just started vomiting yellow foam. This has been going on for about a week. Vomiting started in the
Hi, Our dog is 10 years old. She has developed large tumor looking growths on her belly, and is bleeding quite a lot from her vaginal area. Her eyes have also suddenly started to bulge and even turn outward. She has been throwing up and very thirsty
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
