Dogs speak a different language to us, so how are we supposed to know if they’re in pain? 

Abdominal pain can be a tricky one, as we can’t readily see the cause of their discomfort. A skin wound or a broken bone is much more obvious! So, it’s important to look for clues instead. A dog that has severe abdominal pain could have something serious going on, so it’s important to seek urgent help if a problem is suspected. 

In this blog, we’re going to look at abdominal pain in detail, including the signs to watch for, possible underlying causes, and when to call your vet. 

The mechanisms behind abdominal pain 

Pain can be divided into three broad categories:

Visceral – Occurs in visceral organs found in the chest and abdomen, as well as the tissue that covers them. 

Somatic – Somatic pain arises from the nerves in the skin, muscles, bones, and subcutaneous tissue. 

Neuropathic – Neuropathic pain affects the nerves, spinal cord, or parts of the brain. Common causes include intervertebral disc disease and syringomyelia. 

Abdominal pain falls into the visceral category. Visceral pain can be harder to pinpoint than pain in other locations, as there are fewer nociceptors (pain receptors) on the abdominal organs than there are in places like the skin surface. This can create pain that is dull, vague, and spread out. 

This 2025 paper states – ‘In general, somatic tissues have a higher density of nociceptors with smaller receptive fields, whereas visceral tissues have fewer nociceptors, but larger receptive fields. This often makes it easier to localize somatic pain to a specific area, whereas visceral pain tends to be more diffuse’ 

Visceral pain is not always associated with injury. We can see it occur in response to distension (swelling), reduced blood supply, and inflammation. 

What are the most common causes of abdominal pain in dogs? 

Given the number of structures and organs in the abdomen, there is an extensive list of things that can go wrong. Many of these painful conditions are serious and will require urgent veterinary attention. 

Let’s look at just a few examples – 

Pancreatitis 

Inflammation of a small organ called the pancreas can be very painful. The pancreas is responsible for storing and releasing digestive enzymes. During an episode of pancreatitis, these enzymes become activated too early and will damage pancreatic tissue. Certain breeds are more prone to pancreatitis, including Miniature Schnauzers and English Cocker Spaniels. Eating high-fat foods or scavenging has also been associated with episodes.  Some dogs can suffer from sudden episodes, whereas others can have a lower-grade, more chronic form of the disease. 

Bloat or GDV 

Bloat occurs when the stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food. If the stomach twists on itself, this is known as gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV). This is a life-threatening emergency that needs immediate attention. Dogs with GDV will soon lose blood supply to their stomach and other organs, causing fatal tissue damage. Dogs with this condition will often retch or gag, but are unable to vomit. They can also have a bloated abdomen and drool excessively. 

Organ torsion 

As well as stomachs twisting on themselves (torsion), other organs can be affected. Ovaries and testicles in unneutered dogs are an example. This is more common in dogs with retained (undescended) testicles, where the abnormal positioning in the abdomen puts them at greater risk of twisting. Splenic and liver lobe torsions also give symptoms of abdominal pain such as reduced appetite, vomiting, lethargy, and collapse. Diagnostic imaging such as X-rays and ultrasound scans are needed to diagnose organ torsion. 

Gastroenteritis 

Dogs with severe gastroenteritis can have abdominal pain. Infectious causes can include viruses like parvovirus, as well as bacterial infections. Dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and colitis may also experience similar symptoms in severe flare-ups of their condition. Intestinal spasms and cramps are uncomfortable, and often accompany other signs like vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite, and increased gas.   

Intestinal obstruction 

Foreign bodies, such as accidentally swallowed toys, bones, corn-on-the-cob, or other items, can cause a physical obstruction in your dog’s intestines. This blockage stops digested food from passing through, leading to symptoms like vomiting, reduced appetite, and changes in stools. Foreign bodies can cause damage to the tissue in the digestive tract too. 

Peritonitis 

Inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity, can occur for several reasons. It could be secondary to surgical complications, a foreign body that has penetrated the abdomen, or an abdominal organ that has become damaged or ruptured. Surgery is required to repair the cause of the infection and clean infected material from the abdominal cavity.   

Pyometra 

Entire female dogs are at risk of uterine (womb) infection, also known as pyometra. The uterus fills with pus, becoming enlarged. Sometimes pus will leak from the vulva if the pyometra is ‘open’, but in a ‘closed’ pyometra the pus will continue building in the uterus. It can sometimes become so large that the uterus ruptures, leaking pus into the abdominal cavity. Sepsis and death can occur in dogs that are not treated promptly. 

Labour 

During active labour, the muscles in the uterus contract to help squeeze puppies through the widening birth canal. Not long before labour, owners may notice that their dog’s body temperature drops slightly, they stop eating, and they start scratching around in their bed/nest area. If a dog is actively straining and having strong contractions, but no puppy is produced within 20 – 30 minutes, then there may be complications. Call your vet for emergency help. 

Trauma 

Trauma to the abdomen can cause sudden onset pain, for example, a kick, fall or road traffic accident. Affected pets may show external damage such as cuts, wounds, and bruising, but they may also experience internal damage like organ rupture and haemorrhage.  

Cancer 

Tumours affecting organs in the abdominal cavity can cause pain. Enlarged lymph nodes, caused by metastatic spread from cancer elsewhere in the body, can bring about similar symptoms. Depending on the type and location, cancer can cause inflammation, ulceration, and may even cause perforation of organs. 

What are the symptoms of abdominal pain in dogs? 

Common signs of abdominal pain in dogs include:

  • Restlessness or pacing 
  • Adopting abnormal positioning – ‘prayer positioning’ is typical, where the dog’s front end is low against the floor, and their back end is in the air 
  • Whining, whimpering or groaning 
  • Moving more slowly than usual 
  • Growling or acting anxious when their abdomen is touched 
  • Reduced appetite 
  • Elevated breathing and heart rates 

Depending on the underlying cause of their abdominal pain, affected dogs may also experience the following: 

  • Vomiting 
  • Attempted vomiting – gagging and not producing anything 
  • Excessive drooling 
  • Diarrhoea or constipation 
  • Swollen abdomen 
  • Fever 
  • Lethargy 
  • Vaginal discharge 

I think my dog has abdominal pain, what should I do? 

If your dog is showing any signs listed above, you must call a vet for immediate advice. 

Most causes of abdominal pain are serious, and many could be fatal if your pet doesn’t receive urgent veterinary treatment. 

Even if you’re not entirely sure, it’s much better to be safe than sorry. Your vet can help triage your pet and work out what to do. 

How will the vet investigate abdominal pain in dogs? 

Your vet will start by taking a history. They will ask about the symptoms you’ve noticed at home, and whether your dog could have eaten anything they shouldn’t have. Other questions may include when your dog’s last season was (if they are an entire female) or if there has been any recent trauma. 

Your vet will examine your dog, looking carefully for signs of abdominal pain, such as a tense abdomen or reacting to palpation. They will also assess your dog’s circulatory system, looking at the colour of your dog’s gums, how fast their heart rate is, and whether they have strong pulses. Other checks will include hydration status and temperature. 

If your vet has concerns, they may recommend further tests. These usually include: 

Bloodwork – Haematology, biochemistry, and electrolyte blood samples can look for signs of infection and inflammation, as well as checking certain organs like the liver and kidneys. More specific samples can screen for conditions like pancreatitis. 

Urine samples – Urinalysis can help check for urinary tract issues like infection, tumours, and crystals. It also lets your vet check your pet’s urine concentration, giving more information about hydration status and kidney function. 

Radiographs – Radiographs (X-rays) provide a 2D overview of the inside of the abdomen. This allows vets to check organ size and screen for abnormalities like foreign bodies, torsions, and tumours. 

Ultrasound scan – Ultrasound scans use sound waves to produce a real-time image of the inside of the abdomen. This can give more detailed information about individual organs and help to check for free fluid in the abdomen. It also helps vets take guided samples for analysis. 

Advanced imaging – Sometimes advanced imaging is recommended. CT scans use X-rays to produce a cross-sectional image of your dog. This can give more accurate information, like tumour location and size. 

Exploratory surgery – Sometimes surgery is advised so that your vet can go into your pet’s abdomen and see what’s going on, especially if your vet is suspicious of something like a foreign body. The problem can often be removed or treated at the same time. Depending on their findings, biopsy samples may be taken for analysis, which can help in the diagnosis of issues like cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. 

What is the treatment for abdominal pain in dogs? 

We have a variety of analgesia (pain relief) options that we can use to manage pain in dogs. However, while analgesia will treat the symptoms, unless the root cause is diagnosed and managed, your pet may continue to deteriorate. 

This means your dog may need to be hospitalised for further investigations and treatment, depending on your vet’s initial examination. 

Some cases may be medically managed, such as pancreatitis or severe gastrointestinal upset; however, many causes of abdominal pain will require urgent surgical treatment, e.g., intestinal foreign body, GDV or peritonitis. 

Your vet will talk you through their investigations and treatment plan, so don’t hesitate to ask them if you have any questions. 

Summary 

It’s important to recognise abdominal pain in dogs. A painful abdomen usually requires urgent veterinary attention, especially if your pet has other symptoms like lethargy, fever, vomiting, or collapse. 

We know this can be a stressful time for pet owners but try to stay calm and give your vet all the information they need. As with all things, the sooner a problem is identified, the better chances your pet has of making a full recovery. 

So, if your pet is acting out of character and you think they might be in pain, don’t delay; call your vet for advice. It could save their life.