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My dog's stomach is swollen during heat. Is she pregnant or sick?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | unspayed

Is it normal for my dog's stomach to swell while she is in "heat"?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on July 8th, 2016

No, the stomach shouldn't be swollen as a result of being in heat. If Milani's abdomen is swollen, she dog may be pregnant, or could be experiencing a false pregnancy which can cause many of the same symptoms including enlarged nipples and mammary glands. The stomach could also be swollen for some unrelated reason, such as intestinal parasites or even fluid in the abdomen due to a heart problem, liver disease, or a tumor. I would recommend having Milani checked by a vet to help determine what is going on - he/she can palpate her belly to see if anything feels abnormal, and may also need to do x-rays or ultrasound to diagnose the problem.

13Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on September 27th, 2017
It could be that Gemma is suffering from a false pregnancy. With a false pregnancy, a dog shows all the symptoms of being pregnant but without actually having puppies. It could also be that she is suffering from a pyometra. This is a life threatening infection of the uterus, and the infected uterus becomes so large the stomach becomes swollen as well. It could be a medical condition causing her enlarged stomach, such as heart disease. Finally, it could be her stomach is big because she gained weight. I'd have her seen by a vet for this. The vet can diagnose what is causing her swollen stomach and how best to treat it. If she does have a false pregnancy, there is no treatment for her but spaying her is recommended to prevent it from happening again. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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