My dog's stomach gurgles, pants, shakes. Should I ask for an X-ray?

Garling noises are called borborygmi and this can be normal stomach noises, but when heard along with lack of appetite this suggests gastritis (inflamed stomach). Gastritis can be cause by many things including dietary indiscretion (eating something he shouldn't have), FB ingestion, and many organ malfunctions. The rubbing of the side of his butt on things is also a sign that his anal glands (two sacs located on the inside of his rectum at the 4 o'clock and 10 o'clock position) are possibly full and irritating him. Anal glands are suspected to be caused by allergies and also often get full when pets go through bouts of diarrhea, because normally they are expressed when hard feces push past them. Because of the multiple factors that are affecting your pet, and the possible need for him to get his anal glands manually expressed to reduce discomfort, I am recommending taking him into your vet for a good exam. If he is found to have some GI upset then an appropriate antibiotics can be prescribed to help him. I would also recommend a probiotic, such as Culturelle over the counter or one from your vet, and a bland diet of boiled plain chicken and rice or cottage cheese to help settle the stomach over the next 4-7 days, then slowly transition him back to his normal diet if all goes well.

I'm sorry to hear about Shadow! The stretching and pacing is a sign of abdominal pain. This could be something as simple as gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines) caused by eating something naughty. This may be especially true if he only vomited a few times and has since stopped. However, this could also be something very serious such as pancreatitis or an intestinal blockage (especially worrisome if he is known to eat toys, socks, rocks, or other non-food items). If he is not fully vaccinated, parvovirus is also a life-threatening possibility. Because of these possibilities, I strongly recommend you see your vet. This is especially true if the vomiting has lasted for more than a few hours or is very frequent. I hope this helps! Best of luck to you and Shadow!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Gage. He sounds quite sick based on the symptoms you have described. The shivering and reluctance to move typically indicate pain. He could be sore in his neck or back or in his abdomen. He may have an upset stomach, but I am worried that he is dehydrated as well from not eating and drinking. He will require medical care from his veterinarian to diagnose the problem and formulate a treatment plan. I do not recommend giving Pepto bismol. First, he sounds more sick than from a mild GI illness. I also do not find it to be very effective in dogs. Finally, it contains an aspirin like compound that can be very hard on a dog's stomach and intestines potentially making gastrointestinal signs worse. I hope this information helps!

Poor guy. I would be cautious here and take him in to your local vet right away if this has been going on for more than 30 mins-1 hr or if he is lethargic. A number of things could be going on here such as a toxin ingestion, severe stomach upset episodes or an underlying disease such as Addison's disease. Check his gum color immediately and if you notice pale gums then he should be seen right away as well. I do hope that this is just a stomach upset and that he starts to improve over the next hour. If he does seem to calm down, then you should definitely fast him for the next 12 hrs (water only), then you should feed him a bland diet of boiled plain chicken or lean ground turkey and white rice for the next few days to help settle his stomach. I hope that Finn's stomach calms down soon so that you don't have to get him seen. Best of luck moving forward. Take care! : )

Hello, thank you for your question about Walter. Based on the symptoms that you are describing I suspect that Walter is experiencing some mild stomach upset or indigestion. Since he is otherwise acting normal I would recommend continuing to monitor him for the next 24 hours. If at any time he develops any vomiting, diarrhea, or lack or appetite I would recommend having him evaluated by your veterinarian. Hope this helps!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The aignsyou are describing can be a sign of abdominal pain. This can be associated with a number of conditions from pancreatitis to foreign bodies and requires veterinary attention as soon as possible. If Nina is lethargic or not acting like herself and has other signs like vomiting or diarrhea, she should be seen right away. I hope all is well!

Hello, I am so sorry for your concerns about Abu. Gas distension in the gut can be very uncomfortable at the least, & sometimes very painful. If you have some simethicone ( Gas-X ), you can give him about 50mg, & then no food for a minimum of 6-12 hours. Water is OK. The Simethicone can be repeated in 6 hours if necessary. Watch for any progression of signs, such as retching/vomiting, or noticeable abdominal bloating. Your pup may also be getting ready to develop diarrhea. If any of these develop, or he just does not seem to be improving, please see your veterinarian as soon as you can. I hope all is well soon. Take care.