My dog's stomach hurts when I touch it, but isn't hard. What's wrong?

He is showing sings of having a painful abdomen, but nothing more specific than that. This could be due to inflamed/painful bowels, a blockage in the stomach or intestine, an inflamed/painful organ (i.e. liver or kidney), or pancreatitis. The fact that he is not vomiting or lethargic indicates that this is not too severe, but things can change quickly in certain circumstances, so my best advice would be to have a vet evaluate him as soon as possible to help narrow-down the possibilities and keep things from getting worse. I understand that you are in a difficult circumstance though, so it's likely not possible to take him to a vet tonight. In that case, it's best to keep him comfortable tonight and take him to a vet in the morning. I recommend calling the local veterinary treatment facility at the base you are stationed at. The staff there can usually suggest good options for transport and you may be able to make an appointment with a vet. You may also check for mobile veterinarians in your area that can come to your house and check him out. I hope that helps and Ares gets better soon.

I'm sorry to hear platanito isn't feeling himself. He may be having episodes of stomach or intestinal pain that could cause him to tense his belly the way you are describing. If this is the case it can be caused by eating things that inflame the stomach or pancreas and you can offer him a very bland diet (boiled chicken breast and white rice OR chicken baby food for example) until your appointment with the vet. Another reason they can appear to tense their belly, lay down and be hesitant to move is back pain. If this is the case it's important to keep him very quiet and prevent jumping until his vet evaluates him. I hope he is feeling better very 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.

Severe abdominal pain in a six year old Shih Tzu warrants veterinary attention some time soon. With this type of pain, I imagine Marble is probably not wanting to move around much, eat, or drink either. I would recommend that she is taken in for x-rays and probably some blood work at minimum to see if there is any underlying condition causing this type of discomfort. It is a little hard to tell from the picture, but it sort of looks like the abdomen is a little bit distended and puffed out. Since this has been going on for a few days already, I don't think I would necessarily call this an emergency. I would however recommend getting in sometime tomorrow.

If she seems to be in pain when her abdomen is touched than she should be examined by a vet to determine the cause. She could have an infection, pancreatitis, urinary issue, orthopedic problem, etc. Your vet can do an examination to localize the pain and then run lab-work and or take an x-ray to help diagnose. Once diagnosed, your vet can determine the best way to treat the problem. Please call your vet and schedule an appointment so she can be treated properly.

Poor guy. The left lower side of the belly is where the bladder normally sits, but unsure exactly where you are touching on the body without seeing or feeling myself. The exact location is key because certain organs lie in certain positions. However with just this symptom of discomfort from touching I would have to assume that an internal organ (perhaps the bladder) is painful. He should however have other symptoms like excessive urination, excessive drinking or foul smelling urine to corroborate the pain elicited during palpating the belly. If this is the case then a urinalysis and exam would be the best course of action to evaluate the urine and treat any abnormalities seen with appropriate and selective medication. If the bladder does not seem to be the organ in mind, then a further evaluation by a vet to feel the belly is recommended, especially if your pet has any other symptoms of illness. However keep in mind, that if you notice any swelling of the belly or dissension and your pet is acting completely normal, then this should still be seen because organomegaly (enlarged organs), fluid in the belly or a growth (mass) is highly suspected and its best to look into this with a professional exam.

If she is behaving normally otherwise, try fasting her for 12-24 hours. Allow small amounts of water or unflavored PediaLyte. Resume feeding a bland diet in small, frequent amounts until symptoms resolve. Monitor for lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite or abdominal pain. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian.