Animal Diagnostic Clinic

Why is my dog so gassy?

Published: Jan 26, 2012

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Excessive gas in canines is typically related to dietary issues, however, it can also be caused by health issues. If your dog is especially flatulent, you should talk to your veterinarian to determine the most likely cause.  Your vet will be help you figure out if your dog's excessive gas is being caused by the food it's eating or if there is an underlying health issue.

Once food has been ruled out, your vet may recommend testing for maldigestion problems that could lead to poor digestion or difficulty absorbing nutrients. Certain breeds like German Shepherds and Shar-Peis may be more prone to developing pancreas insufficiency and bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine—which can both result in flatulence.  Diarrhea is another common clinical sign of these issues, according to WebMD.com.

Overeating, obesity and inactivity can put canines at higher risk of developing chronic flatulence as well, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, intestinal parasites, and problems with respiratory disease can lead to excessive gas in dogs as well.

Reducing a dog's flatulence typically involves a dietary change, but medications and dog shots may also be needed to treat underlying medical conditions.

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General Practice

We have over 540 animal hospitals in 41 states that are staffed by more than 2,000 fully qualified, dedicated and compassionate veterinarians, with more than 200 being board-certified specialists. The nationwide VCA family of general practice hospitals give your pet the very best in medical care, providing a full range of general medical and surgical services as well as specialized treatments*: Wellness, Spay/neuter, Advanced diagnostic services (MRI/CT Scan), Internal medicine, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Cardiology, Neurology, Boarding, Grooming

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Our family of pet hospitals stands out by delivering the greatest resources in order provide the highest quality care available for your pets. By maintaining the highest standards of pet health care available anywhere, we emphasize prevention as well as healing. We provide continuing education programs to our doctors and staff and promote the open exchange of professional knowledge and expertise. And finally, we have established a consistent program of procedures and techniques, proven to be the most effective in keeping pets healthy.

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Emergency Care

In case of emergency, please call us immediately. If it is after hours, check with a local animal hospital emergency clinic.

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