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Therapeutic management of ascites in dogs

Article  in  The Indian veterinary journal · February 2013

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110
Indian Vet. J., February 2013, 90 (2) : 110 - 111
Therapeutic Management of Ascites in Dogs
M. Saravanan1, K. Sarma, M. Kumar, K. Mahendran and D.B. Mondal
Division of Medicine, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, Bareilly, UP
(Received : 17-02-2012;
Ascites is one of the most commonly found
clinical problems in dogs. It refers to the over
accumulation of transudate within the
peritoneal cavity (Rudloff, 2005). This condition
may occur in portal hypertension,
hypoalbuminemia and renal retention of sodium
and water (Chandler et al., 1995). Ascites has
also been attributed to conditions like chronic
hepatic failure, congestive heart failure,
malnutrition and ancylostomiasis (Randhawa
et al., 1988). The aim of this study was to
ascertain changes in haemato-biochemical
profile of dogs suffering from ascites and find
out suitable therapetic measures.
Materials and Methods
Present investigation was carried out on 15
dogs of different breeds and age which were
presented with the history of accumulation of
fluid in abdomen from August 2010 to Jan, 2011
in Referral Veterinary, Polyclinic, IVRI,
Izatnagar, Bareilly. History of each dog was
noted in relation to breed, age, sex, body weight
etc for epidemiological study. Blood samples
were collected on day 0, 10 and 20 of post-
treatment for haematobiochemical analysis and
evaluation of therapeutic response. Blood
smears were prepared from the ear margin
capillary bed for DLC. Abdominocentesis was
done with the help of sterile needle (5-7 cm, 22
gauges) to relive dyspnea. Abdominal
ultrasonography was performed (Nyland et al.
2002).
Treatment was instituted with dextrose
1
Corresponding author : Email : sara82vet@yahoo.com
The Indian Veterinary Journal (February, 2013)
Accepted : 30-04-2012)
25%@ 100 ml i/v for five days followed by
furosemide (Lasix, M/s Aventis) @ 2mg/kg bid
p.o. daily for 10 days along with the supportive
treatment of B complex and vitamin C
(Eldervit, M/s Elder Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd)
@ 2ml i/m every alternate day for 12 days, inj.
Ceftriaxone sodium @ 25mg/kg bw and Astymin-
3 40ml i/v o.d. for 5 days. Criteria for evaluating
the efficacy of treatment were return to normal
appetite, clinical remission, and improvement
of haematobiochemical parameters on day 10
and 20 of post-treatment. The statistical
analysis was done as per the standard methods.
Results and Discussion
Dogs between the age groups 5 to 7 years were
mostly affected and the occurrence was higher
in males (60%) as compared to females (40%).
The higher occurrence was observed in
Pomeranian (33.33%) followed by Lab Retriever
(20%), Boxer (16.66%), Doberman (13.33%),
Mongrels (10%) and Alsatian (6.66%), The
clinical signs revealed anorexia, lethargy and
accumulation of fluid in abdomen in all the dogs.
Adbominal palpation revealed fluid thrill while
body girth measurement revealed distended
abdomen. Abdominal Ultrasonography revealed
anechoic areas in all dogs whereas hyper-echoic
liver was noticed in five dogs.
Haematology revealed significantly
lower (P<0.05) Hb (9.49±0.28 g/dl) and PCV
(34.39±1.36 %) whereas TLC and DLC showed
non-significant variation. Serum biochemical
analysis revealed low serum total protein
 M. Saravanan et al. 111
Table. Haematobiochemical changes in ascetic dogs (before and after therapy)

Parameters Day 0 Day 10 Day 20

Haemoglobin (gm/dl) 9.49±0.28 a 10.48±0.39 b 11.21±0.25 c

Packed cell volume (%) 34.39±1.36 a 34.04±0.57 ac 39.96±0.46 b
Total Leukocyte count (x1000/µl) 9.49±0.30 10.48±0.15 11.21±0.17
Neutrophil (%) 82.93±0.96 81.27±1.11 81.07±1.08
Lymphocyte (%) 15.00±1.03 16.13±0.94 16.27±0.91
Monocyte (%) 2.07±0.27 2.60±0.32 2.67±0.32
BUN (mg/dl) 14.27±1.32 12.87±0.73 12.87±0.72
Serum Creatinine (mg/dl) 0.70±0.09 0.74±0.08 0.74±0.09
Alanine amino transferase (U/I) 228.53±22.17 c 165.87±10.57 b 142.12±6.09 a
Total Protein (g/dl) 4.45±0.20 a 7.24±0.27 b 8.38±0.26 c

Means under same superscript do not differ significantly (p<0.01, p<0.05)

(4.40±0.20 g/dl) on day 0 indicating References

hypoproteinemia. Skardova (1991) also
observed decrease of total protein and albumin
in the blood serum of ascetic dog. Increased
levels of ALT (228.53±22.17 IU/L) showed
necrotic damage of liver resulting in leakage of
enzymes from hepatic cells in the blood
(Cornelius et al., 1975).
The dogs responded well to treatment
within 10 days. Improvement in attitude and
appetite was noted and reduction in abdominal
fluid accumulation could be observed.
Ultrasonography on day 20 revealed improved
liver status.
Chandler, E.A., Thompson, D.J., Sulton, J.B. and Price, C.J.
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Rudloff, E. (2005) Text book of Veterinary Internal Medicine
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