abdominal

Abdominal refers to everything concerning the abdominal cavity (abdomen) of the dog – from the digestive organs via the liver and kidneys to the bladder.

You often encounter the term in vet reports or when you read about complaints in your dog’s abdominal area. Behind it lies a complex system of organs that work closely together.

Which organs belong to the abdominal cavity?

The abdominal cavity houses the vital digestive and excretory organs: stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys and bladder.

All these organs do not simply lie next to each other – the peritoneum and connective tissue connect them with one another. If one of them becomes ill, others can suffer too, which makes abdominal diseases so difficult to assess.

How do I recognise abdominal problems?

A distended belly is the most obvious warning signal – especially in large breeds, this can indicate a life-threatening gastric torsion (bloat).

More subtle signs are often more informative. Your dog no longer eats, vomits yellow foam or shows a cramped body posture. Some dogs draw in their belly or do not want to be touched.

Changed excretions also give clues. Blood in the urine points to bladder or kidney problems, pale faeces can indicate involvement of the liver.

What are the most common abdominal diseases?

Gastric torsion (bloat) is at the top of the list of emergencies – within a few hours it becomes life-threatening.

Chronic diseases develop insidiously. Kidney insufficiency often only becomes noticeable when a large part of kidney function has already been lost. Liver diseases disguise themselves for a long time behind non-specific symptoms such as tiredness.

Pancreatitis often affects dogs that have been given fatty food – the classic case being after a barbecue evening with dropped sausages.

How does the vet diagnose abdominal problems?

The abdominal palpation provides initial clues regarding pain, swelling or enlarged organs.

Blood tests show which organ is affected: elevated liver values, kidney values or enzymes of the pancreas reveal the culprit. Ultrasound then makes the structure of the organs visible – is the liver enlarged, are kidney stones visible?

X-rays are indispensable if gastric torsion or swallowed foreign bodies are suspected. They also show whether fluid is accumulating in the abdominal cavity.

What treatments are available?

In acute emergencies such as gastric torsion, immediate surgery is required – any delay significantly worsens the chances of survival.

Chronic diseases usually require a combination of medication and dietary changes. Kidney diets relieve weakened kidneys, liver-friendly food supports regeneration.

Fluid therapy helps with dehydration caused by vomiting or diarrhoea. Pain medication provides relief while the actual treatment takes effect.

Can I prevent abdominal diseases?

A low-fat, balanced diet significantly reduces the risk of pancreatitis – no table scraps, no fatty treats.

In large dogs, feeding several smaller meals prevents the dreaded gastric torsion. A rest period should be observed after eating.

Regular blood tests from middle age onwards detect kidney and liver problems before symptoms become visible. Changes detected early can generally be treated better.