Intra-abdominal fluid aspirate from a dog

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Canine Internal Medicine

Background:

• Abdominal distension is a common clinical sign in dogs.
• Investigating the underlying cause is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Observation:

• A 12-year-old neutered female Siberian husky presented with a 6-month history of progressive abdominal distension, anorexia, and weight loss.
• Physical examination revealed marked abdominal distension and a positive fluid wave, indicative of abdominal effusion.
• Ultrasound examination confirmed the presence of abdominal effusion.

Findings:

• Complete blood count (CBC) revealed mild nonregenerative anemia.
• Red blood cell count was 4.9 × 10(6)/µL (reference interval 5.5-8.5 × 10(6)/µL).
• Hemoglobin concentration was 12 g/dL (reference interval 12-18 g/dL) and hematocrit (HCT) was 36% (reference interval 37-55%).
• Reticulocyte count was <60,000/µL.
• Serum chemistry panel showed no abnormalities.

Implications:

• Abdominal effusion in dogs can be associated with various underlying conditions, including anemia.
• Further diagnostics are necessary to determine the cause of the effusion and anemia in this case.
• This case highlights the importance of diagnostic imaging and hematological evaluation in dogs with abdominal distension.