ASCITES 257 



Diagnosis.— The character of the fluid in the abdomen is 

 one of the chief diagnostic symptoms, and some of it should 

 be obtained and examined for its specific gravity, cells, etc. 

 A careful examination of the animal must be made to distin- 

 guish this from ascites due to other causes. The anamnesis 

 may also assist in making the diagnosis. 



Prognosis.— The prognosis is unfavorable, the course 

 chronic. Complete recovery is hardly to be expected, 

 although a number of cases have been reported where appar- 

 ent recoveries have taken place. Death is usually the result 

 of heart failure. 



Treatment.— The cause should be ascertained if possible, 

 and the treatment given accordingly. If the cause cannot 

 be determined, symptomatic treatment is given. Diuretics, 

 such as caffein citrate (0.1-0.3) or diuretin (0.15-0.4) are 

 indicated to assist in removal of the fluid. 



Paracentesis abdominis (see Ascites) should be performed 

 whenever necessary to remove the fluid from the cavity. 

 The dog, as a rule, responds more readily to treatment than 

 the cat. 



ASCITES. 



Hydrops Abdominis. Hydrops Ascites. Hydrops Peritonei. 



Definition.— A collection of serous fluid in the abdominal 

 cavity. This condition is quite common in dogs, and also 

 occurs in cats and birds. Mild cases of ascites are often 

 overlooked during life, and are only found on postmortem or 

 during operations on the abdominal cavity. 



Etiology.— 1. Local Causes.— (a) Chronic inflammation of 

 the peritoneum, either simple, carcinomatous, sarcomatous, 

 or by cysts of parasites (Plerocercoides bailleti, Linguatula 

 denticulatum, etc.). (b) Obstruction to the portal vein, 

 either in its terminal branches in the liver, such as by 

 cirrhosis, chronic, passive congestion, etc., or by compression 

 of the vein in the gastrohepatic omentum, such as by pro- 

 liferative peritonitis, abscesses, tumors (sarcomas, carci- 

 nomas, etc.), or by aneurysm, (c) Thrombosis of the portal 

 vein, (d) Tumors in the abdominal cavity in general, (e) 

 17 



