Why is my dog whimpering, circling, and sucking in his stomach?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The symptoms you are describing sound like an emergency. The description of heavy breathing, retching, and contracting abdomen sound like the symptoms of a gastric dilatation/volvulus, or bloat. This happens when the stomach is filled with air and can even twist on itself and is more common in large breed dogs. The condition is extremely uncomfortable, and requires immediate stabilization and possibly surgery. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary care, especially if there is torsion. I recommend getting your dog to the vet as soon as possible. There are 24-hour emergency clinics in most cities that are open overnight and will be able to stabilize your dog.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If Buddy seems off and is whimpering and vomiting, he may have something going on causing him discomfort. Because of his age, I would be suspicious of a viral infection, something he ate that he is having an indiscretion to or a foreign object he ate that is lodged somewhere in his intestines causing problems. Because there are multiple causes and it is difficult to determine what it is for sure, I would have a veterinarian examine Buddy so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would consider having his blood tested and abdominal x-rays taken. I hope this helps and that Buddy gets better soon! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The signs you are describing can be caused by dietary indiscretion, pancreatitis, bloat, or a number of parasitic infections results in nausea. Some of these conditions are potentially life threatening, so I recommend having Bullet seen by a vet as soon as possible. They can perform bloodwork and x-rays, as well as give Bullet any supportive care he may need. I hope all is well!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Wrigley. I recommend that you seek emergency veterinary care for him immediately. Non-productive retching (ie. trying to vomit without bringing anything up) can be a sign of a life threatening emergency. This can occur in cases of GDV (where the stomach enlarges and twists). In this case, his belly may be large or firm to your touch. Pacing tends to indicate pain and anxiety. His breed is prone to this condition. While there could be other causes of his symptoms, this is my concern. I hope this information helps. Good luck!

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.

Hello. I am sorry for your concerns about Sumo. I am concerned that he may be in quite a bit of pain. Panting is a strong sign of this. The accumulation of gas in the intestines from either infection or inflammation may be the source of this pain as well as the tense abdomen. Sumo needs to see a veterinarian soon. If this is a volvulus or stomach twist, his life may be in danger, but regardless of the cause, he needs to seen tonight. I hope all is well soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

These signs may be compatible with a bloat and gastric torsion, even though now there are none showing (they can restart again). I would recommend an immediate check up as this disease represents an emergency and can lead to fatal consequences.