100 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS 



has been repeatedly punctured, inflammatoi-y processes may take place, 

 and are followed by adhesions. The abdominal organs become anaemic 

 and freciucntly dropsical (Fig. 52). 



Etiology. — Ascites never appears as an independent disease, but 

 must be regarded as a symptom of another disease. As the peritoneal 

 veins belong to the mesenteric system, any obstruction of the portal 

 veins cause these serous collections, for instance, in cirrhosis of the liver, or 

 tumors of that organ, or from compression of the mesenteric veins by tu- 

 mors, abscesses, etc. Ascites is also seen as a symptom of general dropsy of 

 the kidneys or lungs, and from defective action of the heart. It may also 

 be caused by local diseases of the peritoneum, such as tuberculosis, car- 

 cinoma, or from chronic inflammation between transudate and inflam- 

 matory exudates. In young animals ascites may develop without 

 any other complications or cause and may make a complete recovery 

 (Hutyra and Marek)- 



Clinical Symptoms. — The chief clinical symptom of this disease 

 is the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Small amounts 

 very frequently are not noticed and in fact, cannot be determined by 

 any means except by tapping. When there is a considerable collection 

 of serous fluid, the abdominal wall is distended, and, from being in the 

 lower portion of the abdomen, the cross-section outlines of the trunk 

 resemble those of a pear. There is a peculiar sunken appearance of 

 the flanks (see Fig. 52). When the tips of the fingers are struck against 

 the distended abdomen, there is a fluctuating movement; and when there 

 is a large quantity of fluid present, the splashing sound of the fluid can 

 sometimes be heard when the side of the abdomen is struck sharply 

 with the flat of the hand. By percussion, we can tell, to a certain 

 extent, the amount of the fluid present. The animal should be made 

 to stand, so that all the fluid lies in the base of the abdomen. By 

 percussing, beginning at the lower part of the abdomen and moving- 

 upward on the wall where there is fluid present, we will get a dull sound ; 

 and when the line of fluid is passed, we get the intestinal or tympanic 

 sound. It is very important that the animal should be in a standing 

 position, as it can be readily understood that when the animal is lying on 

 its side, the fluid gravitating to the lower side, we would get a clear tym- 

 panic sound all over the abdominal wall on the upper side and still 

 have a large quantity of fluid in the cavity. 



The higher the fluid collects, the greater is the pressure on the ab- 

 dominal organs, and the consequent pressure on the diaphragm, causing 

 interference with normal respiration. The urine is generally nor- 

 mal, but reduced in quantity, and the quantity of the accumulated 

 fluid pressing on the bladder may sometimes cause involuntary emp- 

 tying of the bladder. In the later stages osdematous swellings appear 



