Indian J. Anim. Hlth.

(2017), 56(1) : 111-112

Short Communication

ASCITES OF CARDIAC ORIGIN IN A DOG

- A CASE STUDY
P. MUKHERJEE, J. MUKHERJEE1*, S. S. KESH AND P. K. DAS1
Department of Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex
Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mohanpur Campus
West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences
Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, Pin- 741 246

A four years old male Labrabor Retriever dog was presented to the clinic with a history of anorexia
since last 45 days with dyspnoea and enlarged abdomen. Physical examination, ultrasonographic scan
and ECG study revealed ascites with myocardial ischemia. The present study describes different
diagnostic modalities along with treatment options for ascites in canine due to cardiac origin.

Key words: Ascites, ECG, Haematology, Ultrasonography, Ventricular enlargement

A four years old, male, Labrador Retriever
dog was presented to the clinic (TVCC,
WBUAFS, West Bengal, India) as outdoor
patient. The dog exhibited the symptoms
of anorexia since last 45 days, dyspnoea and
abdominal enlargement with pear shaped
appearance. The physical examinations
revealed normal body temperature (101° F)
and pale mucous membrane. On percussion,
fluid wave was evident in the abdomen.
Haematological examination reported
haemoglobin 10.2 gm %, TLC 12,000/cu
mm and DLC with Neutrophils 86%,
Lymphocyte 12%, Eosinophils 01% and
Monocytes 01%.
Serum biochemistry revealed blood glucose
(Random) 65 mg/dL, total protein 5.9 gm/
dL, albumin 3.8 gm/dL, globulin 2.1 gm/
*
Corresponding Author
1
Dept. of Veterinary Physiology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences
dL, bilirubin (total) 1.23 mg/dL, bilirubin-
direct 0.50 mg/dL, bilirubin- indirect 0.73
mg/dL, SGPT 65.8 IU/L, SGOT 87.9 IU/
L, ALP 471.2 IU/L, BUN 23.6 mg/dL and
creatinine 1.89 mg/dL.
Upon USG, the urinary bladder appeared
relatively normal in contour and thickness
without any overt obstruction, uroliths or
neoplasia. Both the kidneys appeared
normal in size and shape with clear cortico-
medullary dimensions. The spleen appeared
normal without any focal lesions. The liver
lobes appeared normal floating in anechoic
free fluid (Fig. 1) suggestive of ascites. The
gallbladder wall thickness was found to be
2.84 mm (Fig. 2). The ECG showed ST
segment depression indicative of
112 Indian Journal of Animal Health, June, 2017
myocardial ischemia (Fig 3).
Ascites is referred to as accumulation of
serous fluid in peritoneal cavity. The
underlying cause of ascites may be
hypoproteinemia, neoplasia of an
abdominal organ, ruptured urinary bladder
and haemorrhage from trauma as well as
cardiac disturbances (Kumar and Srikala,
2014). Common cardiac complications
responsible for manifestation of ascites are
congestive cardiomyopathy, right heart
failure and congenital pulmonic stenosis
(Kumar and Srikala, 2014). In this present
case the serum biochemistry revealed
almost normal except for ALP. A rise in
the serum ALP may be due to thickening
of gall bladder (Kumar and Srikala, 2014).
From the biochemical and USG reports,
urinary functions appeared normal.
Therefore the renal involvement in this case
can be ruled out. Ascites due to myocardial
dysfunction (Tidholm et al., 2001 and
Meurs, 2005) and ventricular enlargement
(Izabela et al., 2014) was well documented
in dogs. Here in the present case we found
severe myocardial ischemia. Poor blood
REFERENCES
Izabela J, Agnieszka NN, Marcin N, Alicja C
and Rafa C et al., 2014. Myocarditis in dogs:
etiology, clinical and histopathological
features (11 cases: 2007–2013). Ir Vet J,
67(1) : 28. doi: 10.1186/s13620- 014 -
0028-8
Kumar KS and Srikala D, 2014. Diagnosis and
management of cholecystitis in dogs. Int J
Agric Sc Vet Med, 2(3): 13-15
Article received on 13.02.2017 and accepted for publication on 08.04.2017
supply to the myocardium might lead to
cardiac systolic dysfunction resulting in
increased end diastolic volume which
interns causes accumulation of free fluids
in interstitial spaces due to increased
pressure in the blood vessels.
Treatment modalities of ascites depends
upon the underlying causes. If cardiac origin
is diagnosed the standard treatment protocol
should start with diuretics (Furosemide @
2-4 mg/kg BID PO) and ACE inhibitors
(Benazepril/ Enalapril @ 0.5 mg/kg SID to
BID PO). In dogs with arrhythmias, beta
adrenergic blockers or calcium channel
blockers are used to improve oxygenation
of the heart and to slow down the heart
rate. In recent days, Pimobendan @ 0.25 mg/
kg BID PO is also being used to improve
survival of the patients.
Conflict of Interests
The authors declare there is no conflict of
interests amongst them.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors are extremely grateful to the Vice-
Chancellor, WBUAFS for providing
financial support to complete the study.
Meurs KM, 2005. Primary myocardial disease in
the dog. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, editors.
Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine:
Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 6th ed.
Philadelphia: WB Saunders, pp 1077–1082
Tidholm A, Haggstrom J, Borgarelli M and
Tarducci A, 2001. Canine idiopathic dilated
cardiomyopathy. Part I: Aetiology, clinical
characteristics, epidemiology and
pathology. Vet J, 162: 92–107