What it is
The gallbladder is a small pouch beside the liver that stores bile, the fluid that helps digest fat. Its lining also makes mucus. When it makes too much, the bile turns thick and jelly-like and gradually packs the gallbladder, so bile can no longer flow out freely. A stretched gallbladder wall can lose its blood supply and tear, spilling bile into the belly.
It tends to appear in middle-aged and older dogs and has been linked to hormonal diseases and raised levels of fat in the blood. A dog can show nothing at all until the gallbladder is badly stretched.
At home, look out for small changes: a dog that turns down a meal, vomits now and then or seems tired after eating. A firm, tender belly or yellow gums mean the gallbladder may be blocked or damaged, and that cannot wait.
Signs you may notice
- Vomiting
- Turns down food
- Sluggish and quiet
- Flinches when the belly is touched
- Yellow gums or eye whites
The dog may vomit, refuse food, become sluggish, flinch when its belly is touched, and the whites of its eyes, gums or skin may turn yellow. If these signs appear suddenly or get worse quickly, contact a vet right away.
When to see a vet
A dog with sudden vomiting, a painful belly, yellow gums or collapse needs a vet immediately. Milder, repeated vomiting or loss of appetite is worth a visit within a day or two.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.