2. A Bloated, Hard, or Distended Abdomen
A suddenly bloated, hard, or distended abdomen is one of the most urgent and time-sensitive emergencies a dog can face, particularly for deep-chested breeds like German Shepherds, Great Danes, or Dobermans. Look for a visibly swollen and tight-feeling stomach, often accompanied by unproductive retching where your dog tries to vomit but nothing comes up. They will likely be extremely restless, pacing, unable to lie down comfortably, drooling, or repeatedly looking at their flank. These are the classic signs of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or “bloat”), where the stomach twists on itself, cutting off blood supply. GDV is excruciatingly painful and leads to shock and death within hours if not treated with emergency surgery. Every single minute counts.