Ascites in dogs is an abnormal buildup of abdominal fluid that occurs as a result of an underlying disease. Several health conditions can cause ascites, and ignoring the symptoms can be detrimental to your dog's health. Learn the signs, causes, and treatment of ascites in dogs so you can help your pup feel better soon.
Ascites in dogs is free fluid floating in the abdomen. This is not a disease itself, but a sign of a serious underlying medical problem.
The abdomen contains many organs including the kidneys, intestines, stomach, liver, spleen, bladder, and others. There is normally very little fluid that is outside of these structures. When ascites develops, the organs are surrounded by fluid that is freely floating around in the abdomen.
A dog with ascites may experience few symptoms at first. As the fluid continues to build up, you may notice several signs of illness:
The most obvious sign of ascites in dogs is a swollen belly. This swelling or distension is due to the excess fluid that is accumulating in the abdomen and makes a dog appear bloated. An abdomen that is filled with fluid will be larger and rounder than normal as the volume of fluid stretches the abdominal walls. This process is similar to a balloon being slowly filled with water.
As with most animals, a sick dog with ascites will often seem lethargic because of the underlying medical issue that is causing the fluid to accumulate.
Abdominal swelling puts pressure on the diaphragm, which can make it harder for the dog's lungs to expand during breathing. This can result in labored breathing or panting.
Weight gain may be noted due to the excessive fluid in the abdomen. Often, the dog will not appear overweight aside from a bloated belly.
A dog with ascites will often have a poor appetite because of the swollen abdominal area and feeling of fullness. Additionally, the underlying cause of the ascites may cause nausea, pain, or malaise that makes a dog not want to eat.
Vomiting may be seen in cases of dogs with ascites where the pressure of the fluid is pushing on the stomach and diaphragm. Or, the underlying cause of the ascites may cause nausea.
Abdominal swelling will cause discomfort or pain in your dog. The dog may stand in a hunched position or have trouble getting comfortable. They may flinch or move away if you touch their belly.
Ascites in dogs occurs as a result of an underlying condition, and some are more common than others.
Your veterinarian will perform a full physical examination and may recommend imaging like X-rays or ultrasound to visualize the abdomen. Fluid will obscure details on an X-ray, so an ultrasound may be the next step if fluid is seen on X-rays. Your veterinarian will look for free fluid in the abdominal cavity along with any abnormalities that could cause the fluid accumulation.
If ascites is seen on imaging, your vet may order blood tests, urine tests, and fluid sampling to find the underlying reason for the condition.
The vet may also opt to tap the abdomen using a needle and syringe to see if fluid is present. If it is, this fluid may then be analyzed by a laboratory to see what kind of cells it contains and help figure out where it is coming from.
The treatment of ascites will vary depending on what caused it in the first place. Three common types of treatment for ascites in dogs include:
A dog's prognosis will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. Ascites can signal a poor outcome for the dog, but some conditions can be managed long term.
Since there are so many causes of ascites in dogs it is hard to prevent it. The best thing you can do to help keep your dog healthy and prevent ascites from occurring is to have regular veterinary examinations and blood work performed to look for any abnormalities. This can help detect diseases that can cause ascites in their early stages and prevent fluid from building up in the abdomen.
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