Biochemical analysis of neoplastic versus nonneoplastic abdominal effusions in dogs

This prospective study of 15 dogs evaluated biochemical parameters in abdominal effusions of neoplastic and nonneoplastic origin in an attempt to identify markers for malignant effusions. Dogs in the neoplastic group had statistically significant lower glucose concentrations (mean, 72.6 mg/dL versus 110.0 mg/dL; P=0.0431) and higher lactate levels (mean, 3.81 mmol/L versus 1.68 mmol/L; P=0.0377) in their abdominal fluid than did dogs in the nonneoplastic group, indicating that low glucose and high lactate in abdominal effusions may be markers for neoplasia.