Bloat (a swollen belly) is a medical emergency that is often caused by life threatening condition called GDV. Call your vet immediately if your dog has developed bloat, especially if they are also trying to be sick. Make sure your pet is in a cool, safe area and try to keep them calm and quiet.

Bloat happens when a dog's stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid, making it expand. The stomach puts pressure on other organs. It can cause dangerous problems, including: In some cases, the dog's stomach will rotate or twist. Vets call that gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV).

Bloat in dogs is a life-threatening condition characterized by distension of the stomach with possible twisting of the stomach on its axis. When a dog shows signs of bloat, it is a medical emergency, and it requires immediate medical attention from a veterinarian.

If your dog’s stomach appears bloated, it could be due to a number of possible causes, ranging from mild to severe, including pregnancy, heart failure, liver dysfunction, uterine infection ("pyometra"), internal bleeding, as well as GDV, and several others.