Why does my dog have stomach cramps and a hard belly? Is it serious?

If he is having abdominal pain then he really should be examined by a vet to determine he cause. He could have an infection, pancreatitis, kidney disease, liver disease, etc and your vet can run labeork and take an X-ray to help diagnose. Hope he feels better soon.

It could be that she has eaten something that doesn't agree with her and has a bit of [stomach upset](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-treat-your-dogs-upset-stomach) or there could be a more serious underlying condition. Check the color of her gums. They should be pink. If they are pale or white, you should seek veterinary attention immediately. Pale gums may indicate an internal bleed or [anemia](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-things-you-should-know-about-anemia-in-dogs). If she is a large or deep chested breed , monitor for [bloating](https://www.petcoach.co/article/bloat-gastric-dilatation-and-volvulus-in-dogs) or unsuccessful attempts to vomit. If she is behaving normally otherwise, [monitor her pain at home](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-measure-your-dogs-pain) and consider a short fast followed by a bland diet (if she will eat) for a few days. See your regular veterinarian when they open or go to the nearest veterinary ER if symptoms worsen overnight.

Poor guy. Stomach upset is a possible cause; however, with such vague symptoms of being uncomfortable and decreased appetite, there are other potential internal issues. I notice that he is intact also, so a prostate issue could also cause a sudden pain response and decreased appetite as well. If he does not seem to be improving on his own within the next 1-2 days, then it is best to get him fully examined by your veterinarian for any other sources of his pain (prostate, joints, etc). I hope that your furry friend feels better soon! Best wishes and take care.

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. A firm, painful abdomen, with a loss of appetite is a concerning set of symptoms. It may be a simple stomach upset, or more serious condition called pancreatitis. A painful back can also reflect as a painful abdomen as a dog draws up the abdomen trying to protect the back. If there is any retching, vomiting or diarrhea tonight, he should be seen on emergency. Otherwise, if the symptoms persist into tomorrow, please have Harley seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible tomorrow. I hope all is well soon. Take care.

This sounds very concerning and obviously Paris has a painful stomach. Since she is an intact female there is always a chance that she has a uterine infection which would need urgent surgery, ie her uterus would need to be removed. A uterine infection can be lethal. If she is also drinking more water than usual, if there is maybe some discharge from her vulva, this would be pointing to a uterine infection (pyometra). She could also be suffering from serious intestinal parasite infection, pancreatitis, liver disease and ascites. All these conditions are serious and your dog needs to be seen by a veterinary doctor. Unfortunately it is not possible to make a diagnosis just on the basis of "hard stomach". Paris will need a "hands-on exam".

Poor Clementine! There could be a couple of things causing her pain. I'm not sure if she is spayed or not, but if she is intact, then it could be she has a pyometra causing her pain. A pyometra is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. It could also be that she has injured herself, has pancreatitis, or could have a tumor. Because I can't see her in person to rule these things out, which are extremely serious, I think it's best she sees a vet now. The vet can diagnose the cause of her pain, and can treat her for it. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. Best of luck, I hope this helps.

Hi and thank you for reaching out to pet coach about Peanut. If Peanut has just eaten a large amount of food within the past 1-2 hours his stomach may feel hard because it is full of food. This is normal. If it is his entire abdomen that is hard, it may be also painful. And this can be caused by inflammatory diseases or other problems in the abdomen that can be serious. If Peanut is eating and drinking well, not having any vomiting or diarrhea, and seems comfortable tonight (can lay down on his abdomen without shifting positions or crying out in pain), than I would continue to watch him closely tonight and you may want to schedule an appt. with his veterinarian tomorrow if he is not any better. He may feel completely normal by tomorrow. However, if he has not eaten, seems lethargic, and/or is having vomiting or diarrhea I recommend that you get him to a doctor to have him examined and determine the cause of this problem either just by physical exam and/or X-rays. Best of luck to Peanut.