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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Ascites?
| Summer's stomach feels bloated, I did not go for her appointment for her blood draw today, because the roads are REALLY frozen and slippery. I am afraid she might have ascites. Her tummy feels kind of hard, bloated? I know my abdomen, gets like that when I take pred for extended periods. Is there anything I can do about this? Otherwise, she looks great and is acting really good,she even been jumping to get upon my bed, and ran in the snow today, she is acting better than she has since she got this damn thing! Any help would be great! Carrie and Summer |
| Carrie DFW |
| Carrie, This fluid can be variable, it can come slowly or it can be a very fast process. So depending on the severity, it doesn't need emergency care. From what I am reading, any time there seems to be discomfort and BREATHING PROBLEMS, it should be considered an emergency and treated by a vet. There are many things that can be done, including removing the excess fluid with a syringe or just administering diuretics. my best patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Thank you! Do you know what causes it? It seems like it came on slowly but might be getting worse, hard to say, because I am thinking it comes and goes. I am hoping it is okay to drive tomorrow, so i can get her looked at. Carrie & Summer |
| Carrie DFW |
| Carrie, There are so many possible causes for this that a vet really has to do a few tests to figure it out. But in general I have seen this happen to dogs on this forum taking very high doses of prednisone whose livers have become compromised by the prednisone. I can't say for sure that is what is happening but that is my guess. But a compromised liver, because it produces albumin, can create a condition called hypoalbuminemia which is a decrease in serum albumin levels. Albumin helps regulate the transfer of water between the blood plasma and the space between the cells. If there is a decrease in the albumin level, this could cause fluid to leak out of the blood vessels and this is called ascites. This would be determined by having a chemical screen done. Kidney or gastrointestinal problems can also contribute to this problem. Tumors that are bleeding. Obstructions in the abdomen, trauma, and even heart failure can contribute. Again, it is the *severity and speed* of the abdominal fluid retention that are the issues here. Fast, sudden and large quantities are an emergency. If this fluid shifts suddenly from the blood into the abdominal cavity, it can cause a drop in blood pressure and shock. Call your vet early tomorrow and describe what you see. They may be able to call in a small prescription of a diuretic at your local pharmacy that might help a little until you can get in to see them. If you can, weigh her tonight, right now, and then again in the morning to see if she is retaining more fluid. My Dad had to do that when he developed heart failure. Movement is good because it will encourage her to pee. Take a short walk if you can. my best patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Thank you Patrice. I am praying it is nothing serious. She is down to 25mg pred/day and tons of milk thistle!! She seems to be urinating a lot, not as much as when she was on higher doses. Not going walking as the wind chill is below zero and we have blowing snow. Could this be happening because she isn't walking? She is used to several miles a day. I will try and weigh her. I have a bad back and she is 40 some odd lbs and hubby is sleeping. I will let you all know what i find out tomorrow. Thank you! Carrie and Summer |
| Carrie DFW |
This thread was discussed on 02/02/2011
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