Ascites, a condition popularly known as water belly in dogs, is the name given to the swelling caused by the accumulation of fluid in your friend's abdomen. This problem can be caused by a number of different factors. The best known of these is the action of worms in the animal's body, but this is not always the case - especially when we are talking about puppies. To help you toTo understand a little more about what causes this problem and how it should be treated, we talked to veterinarian Rubia Burnier. Take a look!

The different causes of water belly in dogs

Ascites is a common symptom in several diseases, which means that when you find your dog with a swollen belly, the best thing to do is to seek the help of a professional for a specific diagnosis. "There are several possibilities for this type of problem. The most common are parasitic intestinal inflammation, heart and/or kidney failure, hepato-biliary inflammation, pancreatitis,abdominal bleeding due to trauma (hit by a car, falls, blows, etc.), liver and spleen tumors with bleeding," explains Rubia.

Puppy with bloated belly: in puppies, the cause is often low protein

Water belly in a puppy: what causes it and the other symptoms

Although this abdominal swelling can be a symptom of several different diseases, in the case of puppies, the picture is a little more restricted. "Verminosis and nutritional deficiencies are the most common causes of this condition in puppies. Loss of protein, minerals and vitamins, as well as irritation of the gastric and intestinal mucosa, favor the loss of fluid that unfolds," explained the doctor.When this is the problem, it is common for your friend to also have other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia and dehydration.

Dog with a bloated belly: what to do?

Once you've noticed that your dog has a bloated belly - puppy or not - the best thing you can do is go straight to the vet with it. Since this symptom can mean a number of different problems, offering a home remedy for a dog with a bloated belly without knowing what it is can be dangerous. In an attempt to help, you may even make the problem worse.picture of your friend.

At the medical appointment, the veterinarian will eliminate possibilities according to the clinical history and the state of health of your dog at the moment (the other symptoms he presents in addition to the swollen belly) and order tests. "The diagnosis should include, in addition to the clinical examination, taking a sample of the liquid to know its composition, blood and feces tests, cardiovascular evaluation and the entire"Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the case. Less serious situations (worms, malnutrition) can be solved with a dewormer and good nutritional supplementation," she concludes.