78 CANINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



same reason new growths of the liver or the peri- 

 toneum are etiological factors ; as are also renal dis- 

 ease and cardiac disease. 



Occasionally ascites appears after an attack of 

 distemper, there being no organic changes discern- 

 ible. Such cases yield readily to treatment and 

 make permanent recoveries. Recovery in cases due 

 to primary cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease will de- 

 pend upon the extent and amenability to treatment 

 of the primary cause. 



Symptoms. — This disease is manifested by u 

 gradual enlargement of the abdomen, pendent belly, 

 and a characteristic falling in of the flanks. Palpa- 

 tion with the finger tips and auscultation reveal 

 the presence of fluid within the cavity. In great 

 accumulations of fluid the pressure upon the dia- 

 phragm and lungs causes much difficulty in respira- 

 tion, sometimes even to suffocation. The appetite 

 is variable, the secretion of urine diminished, and 

 constipation usually present. The conditions which 

 may simulate ascites and which may be mistaken 

 for that condition are : 



1. Chronic Periionitis. — The history of the case, 

 the absence of cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease, and 

 the character of the fluid, determined by examina- 

 tion of a sample obtained by aspiration with a fine 

 needle or trocar, will, however, serve to make the 

 distinction. 



2. Pre^nawct/.— Palpation of the abdominal walls 

 and contents reveals the true nature of the en- 

 larged abdomen. 



3. Distended Bladder. — The shape of the abdo- 

 men is dififerent, and dyspnea is not increased bv 

 elevation of the hind quarters as it is in abdominal 

 dropsy. 



4. Vrinc in the Abdominal Cavil i/ From Rap- 



