[Clinico-chemical study of body cavity effusions]

The differential diagnosis of ascites is discussed. 107 dogs with ascites were examined. The mean age of the dogs was relatively high. Therefore many dogs were multimorbid. The classification of ascites into transudate and exudate was of limited value. The activity of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the ascitic fluid was a potent parameter in differentiating cardiac, neoplastic and infectious ascites. For the diagnosis of a neoplastic cause of the ascites, a LDH activity range from 200-1600 U/l was useful. The predictive value of the positive result was 87%, and the predictive value of the negative result was 88%.