Ascites in Carnivora. 405 



From over- distended bladder it is diagnosed by its slow, and 

 gradual development, and the change of fluctuation to the most 

 dependent part no matter what position is given to the patient, 

 whereas the tense bladder can be felt through the abdominal walls, 

 extending forward from the pelvis under all circumstances. 



From ruptured bladder there is the same distinguishing feature 

 of slow development, the absence of symptoms of uraemic 

 poisoning, of tenderness of the bladder, and of suppression of 

 urine, and also of the urinous odor in the ascitic liquid obtained 

 with the hypodermic needle. 



From advanced gestation the differentiation is found in the 

 general diffusion of the swelling and fluctuation, which is not 

 confined as in gestation to the mobile uterine horns, with a series 

 of enlargements each containing a solid nodular foetus. 



From hydrometra and pyometra there are the same 

 pathognomonic differential features of the general diffusion of 

 the swelling among the intestines, and its accumulation in one 

 fluctuating mass at the most dependent part of the abdomen. 



Tympany- of the bowels causes uniform drum-like [resonance, 

 and tlie swelling does not sag and fluctuate in the lower part of 

 the abdomen. 



Abdominal obesit}^ in old dogs gives the rounded swollen 

 abdomen, but there is an entire absence of the pendulous and 

 fluctuating features, and when punctured with the hypodermic 

 needle it furnishes no fluid. 



From tuberculosis it is distinguished by the absence of nasal 

 discharge, or of tubercle bacilli in such discharge, or in the 

 ascitic fluid, and the latter inoculated on guinea pigs or rabbits 

 does not cause tuberculosis. The tuberculin test may also be 

 resorted to. 



Lesions. The liquid exudate has been found to amount to 30 

 or 40 quarts in large dogs (Hordt). It is often clear and trans- 

 lucent, of amber tint, though in some cases it is slightlj^ opaque, 

 or reddish yellow. It may remain fluid after extraction or again 

 it may form a loose jelly. It may be red in case of soft tumors 

 or other neoplasms. The liquid is verj' w^aterj'^ but may contain 

 a considerable amount of fatty globules or granules, and a few 

 epithelial cells and leucocytes. The peritoneum is pale or in 

 advanced cases dull white from fatty degeneration of the epi- 

 thelium. 



