Symptoms. 



567 



shape of the abdomen varies with the position of the animah 

 If a small animal be placed on its hind legs or in a sitting posi- 

 tion the pelvic portion of the abdomen becomes prominent (Fig. 

 76). If the dorsal position be taken np, there is bulging of the 

 flanks. Difficulty of respiration 

 follows if the animal be held on 

 its fore legs because the fluid 

 presses on the diaphragm and 

 hinders its movements. 



On palpation the upper 

 parts of the abdominal wall are 

 found to be more or less tense, 

 but the lower part is yielding. 

 If the abdominal wall be not too 

 tense intermittent pressure sets 

 up undulating movements in tlie 

 liquid which can be felt with the 

 hand or even seen in some cases. 

 In the larger animals the move- 

 ments of the liquid can l)e a])- 

 preciated by a hand introduced 

 into the rectum. 



Percussion reveals dulness 

 extending upwards to various 

 levels and the upper limit is 

 sometimes marked by an undu- 

 lating line. In small animals set 

 up on their hind feet the dul- 

 ness is found in front of the pel- 

 vis in the pubic region and if 

 the animal be on its back, in the 

 region of the loins or flanks. 



In the larger animals auscul- 

 tation over the lower part of the abdominal wall reveals no in- 

 testinal murmurs or very faint ones. The position of the area 

 of dulness varies with the attitude taken up by the animal. By 

 tapping the abdominal wall smartly with the flat of the hand or 

 by shaking the animal's body, splashing sounds are sometimes 

 produced which resemble those produced by the displacement 

 of liquid gastric or intestinal contents containing large quanti- 

 ties of gas. 



The extent to which the respiration is impeded depends 

 upon the quantity of liquid. In order to take as much pressure 

 as possible off the diaphragm and lungs, the animals, and espe- 

 cially dogs, prefer to take up a sitting position and to avoid 

 all movement. 



The compression of the stomach and intestines by the liquid 

 causes constipation, tympanites and anorexia. In dogs the per- 

 sistent pressure on tlie bladder sometimes causes the involun- 

 tary passage of urine (Spinola). 



Fig. 74. 



Distension of the abdomen 

 - owing to ascites. 



