Puppy rock hard belly and bloated?

This is very likely to be worms but of course could be something else.

Just take him to the vets tomorrow and let him see the pup. If you've just rescued him then he should get looked over anyway.

Heartworms affect the heart valves and blood, and wouldn't have any affect on the dog's abdomen. A "hard" abdomen can be caused by a variety of things, including malnutrition. The stomach muscles contract so hard against themselves that they make the stomach feel like a rock. But even "pain" can cause a dog to clench up so much it's abdomen feels hard. We don't think bloat or torsion twist is affecting your foster dog because you say she's defecating normally now... Just keep her on track with the feedings and vet visits you're giving her. After she's had her heartworm treatment it's going to be essential that you keep her INACTIVE for several weeks. The poison used against the heartworms kills them and forces them to dislodge from the heart valves. The dead worms then flow free through the blood system until the dog's body can break them down and pass them with the rest of the body's waste. If the dog is active after the worms have been killed, and the dog's heart pumps the whole worms through the blood system, the worm can act like a "clot" and kill the dog within a matter of minutes. Follow all of your vet's directions; and your foster should do fine. Thank you so much for fostering this gal!

Try to give him probiotics. A prebiotic fiber such as Fruitables may help as well. He may have worms, so a vet trip would be a good idea... or you can try a wormer. you can get it all at www.thepawdepot.com

Giulio Ferrari

Clinical Animal Nutritionist