Ascites in dogs

Ascites is a medical definition depicting fluid accumulation in the abdomen. In a dog, it can have various underlying causes and it often indicates some sort of organ malfunction or abnormality. A dog may have a slight form of ascites with subtle symptoms when there is little fluid accumulation, or the dog may present with a distended and enlarged abdomen when the fluid accumulation is substantial.{{more}}

This week alone, I saw approximately five cases of ascites with coughing, with the majority being as a result of cardiac insufficiency in older dogs.

In a dog, ascites may indicate a serious underlying condition that requires treatment. In some cases, the abdomen may enlarge rapidly, requiring immediate veterinary help, because the enlarged abdomen may compress the diaphragm and interfere with breathing. The following are some common causes of ascites in dogs:

o Liver disease causing low serum protein levels

o Heart failure causing increased pressure in the veins, making fluids leak into the abdomen

o Peritonitis

causing intestinal contents to leak out

o Bleeding disorder such as from ingesting rat poison, Ehrlichiosis (tick fever) or an inherited blood clotting disorder (causing blood to seep into the abdomen)

o Trauma

(caused by the rupture of the spleen, bladder or gallbladder causing their contents to leak out)

o A ruptured blood vessel in the abdomen causing blood loss, anemia and shock (often caused by injury or a ruptured tumour)

Symptoms of Ascites

Dogs affected by ascites will exhibit the typical sign of a distended abdomen. Tapping on the abdomen will produce a dull, flat noise. Depending on the underlying cause of ascites, there may be accompanying symptoms owners must be on the look out for:

Breathing difficulty (suggesting the distended abdomen is interfering with breathing)

Cough (often suggesting heart disease)

Weakness (in some cases, suggesting internal bleeding)

Pale gums (suggesting anemia or shock from internal blood loss)

Ascites is a condition that should not be left untreated, especially when it appears suddenly. The underlying cause needs to be detected as soon as possible in order to treat effectively and promptly. Never underestimate a dog with a distended abdomen.

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