My senior Maltese growls when I touch his stomach. Is he in pain?

Bloat with a gastric torsion would be rare in a small dog, like a Maltese. If he is still having problems then you should call your vet and have him rechecked. If he is having trouble moving around then your vet can check his back and neck and make sure he isn't having an issue with his spine. Your vet may need to run some blood-work to help diagnose the problem and/or repeat x-rays. He may need an anti-inflammatory and pain medications to make him more comfortable. Hope he feels better soon!

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 would be unlikely that he has an obstruction if he is not vomiting. He could have some gastrointestinal discomfort from a parasite, infection, or possibly eating too fast or over-eating. If it continues, have him examined by your vet to determine if there is an abnormality. Your vet can check a stool sample to look for parasites and prescribe a dewormer, if needed. Your vet can also prescribe an antacid or gastrointestinal protectant to help relieve any discomfort.

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.

Symptoms like this can be related to pain in the back or pain in the pancreas. Even though she is acting normal, the tense areas indicate there is some discomfort and I recommend to have her examined by her veterinarian. The doctor may recommend radiographs to check the spine or a blood test to check the pancreas. Both conditions should be treated to alleviate pain. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

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.

It could be that Bailey is feeling painful at the moment, and that would cause the lethargy and growling when you try to pick him up. He could also have an upset stomach causing him to feel lethargic and not want his stomach touched. Without further symptoms, I cannot narrow down further I'm afraid, so I would recommend monitoring him tonight. Should these symptoms continue through to the morning or he develops additional symptoms such as vomiting, anorexia, or a reluctance to move, I would take Bailey into the vet.