Fluid in Abdomen in Dogs

Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 09/30/2015Updated: 11/24/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Fluid in Abdomen in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Fluid in Abdomen?

Ascites is defined as the buildup of free fluid in the abdomen. It is characterized by a distended belly, which may be accompanied by nonspecific clinical signs such as lethargy. Ascites can be a symptom of other conditions, most commonly liver disease or right side heart failure, and cannot be treated successfully without also addressing the underlying cause. The prognosis depends on the source of the ascites.

Free fluid can build up in the abdomen when blood flow is impeded, whether due to liver disease, heart failure, or other conditions. This buildup is referred to as ascites (or abdominal effusion) and is characterized by a distended abdomen. Treatment and prognosis will vary depending on the underlying cause, since removing the accumulated fluid will not fully resolve the condition and may, in fact, encourage further ascites formation.

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Symptoms of Fluid in Abdomen in Dogs

When fluid builds up in the abdomen, your dog's stomach will be visibly distended. Other clinical signs rising from the underlying cause for ascites (or the ascites itself) include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Lethargy
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Lack of appetite
  • Coughing
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting

Causes of Fluid in Abdomen in Dogs

Ascites is a symptom of many other conditions. One of the most common is liver disease, which leads to an increase in pressure in the vessels that lead to the liver. When blood flow is impeded, free fluid can build up in the abdomen. Fluid can also accumulate when the liver produces less albumin, a serum protein that helps keep water in the blood at the capillary level.

Another common cause of ascites is heart disease, specifically right side heart failure. With congestive heart failure, the heart is unable to pump blood out effectively, leading to a fluid build-up in other areas of the body. Other causes for ascites include hepatitis, kidney failure, and hypoproteinemia.

Diagnosis of Fluid in Abdomen in Dogs

The veterinarian may make a circumstantial diagnosis of ascites based on your dog's distended abdomen and other physical findings. Laboratory testing, including blood work and a urinalysis, may be conducted both to discover the cause of the ascites and to determine your dog's overall condition. Radiographs and abdominal ultrasounds can confirm the presence of fluid in the abdomen, and a sample of the fluid can be withdrawn with a needle for cytologic examination and culture.

Further diagnostic tests may be required to reveal the extent of the underlying condition. If the veterinarian suspects that the ascites is a symptom of liver disease, a chemistry panel, and complete blood count may be performed. Other tests, such as serum bile acids and ammonia tests, are also very useful for measuring the liver function. In cases of heart failure, thoracic radiographs, and a Knott's test for heartworm may be useful for diagnosis.

A full diagnosis of the underlying condition is vital to proper treatment.

Treatment of Fluid in Abdomen in Dogs

Treatment for ascites varies according to the underlying condition. The fluid can be removed via abdominocentesis, but this is only a temporary solution, as fluid can build up again if the cause of the ascites is not addressed. Unless your dog is having difficulty breathing because of the amount of fluid in the abdomen, the veterinarian most likely will not recommend this procedure. Your dog will lose albumin along with the fluid and decreasing pressure in the abdomen may lead to an increase in the fluid buildup.

Instead, a diuretic to increase the loss of water through urine, combined with a low sodium diet, is more often used to manage ascites. During this time, the condition causing ascites will also need to be treated, with treatment ranging from special diets for dogs with liver disease to drug therapy to improve cardiac function.

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Recovery of Fluid in Abdomen in Dogs

During the recovery process, provide your dog with a quiet and secure place to rest. Keep your dog calm and restrict activity in order to minimize stress. If your dog received treatment for the condition that is causing ascites, monitor him or her daily, and check that the ascites is resolving. Your veterinarian will provide you with instructions for care and let you know what to expect over the next few days. Follow-up exams may be recommended to ensure that your dog is healing well.

The prognosis for recovery is highly variable and depends on whether or not the underlying condition can be successfully treated.

Fluid in the abdomen in dogs can be expensive to treat. To protect your dog and yourself in case of an accident or emergency, start searching for pet insurance today. Wag!’s pet insurance comparison tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!

Cost of Fluid in Abdomen in Dogs

There are a few different treatments that the veterinarian may suggest. One of which may be abdominocentesis. This treatment is only a temporary fix and is usually only recommended if your dog is having trouble breathing. It can cost between $420 and $720. The other option that the veterinarian may suggest is the use of a diuretic. A diuretic can help increase the amount of water lost through urination. Combining a diuretic (e.g. Furosemide) with a low sodium diet can help reduce the fluid buildup in the abdomen. Furosemide 40mg/80mg can cost $13/$18 per 100ct. There is prescription dry dog kibble that promotes cardiac health that would be low in sodium. An 18 pound bag of this special kibble can cost $55-$78. The veterinarian may be concerned about your dog’s cardiac function and may prescribe cardiac improving drugs such as Spironolactone. Spironolactone 25mg can cost between $16 and $26 per 100ct. bottle. In total, the cost of all of these treatments can range from $504 to $549. Fluid buildup in the abdomen is nothing to take lightly and should always be treated by the veterinarian.


Fluid in Abdomen Average Cost

From 208 quotes ranging from $1,200 - $6,000

Average Cost

$3,000

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Fluid in Abdomen Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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cross

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Mario

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Twelve Months

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3 found this helpful

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3 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Bloated Stomach
My dog has been ok for the past month's, about a week ago he has stopped being active and he has stopped eating, his tummy won't go down with the medication and he is just looking sad, he is scared most of the day what can i do to help him? I can't lose my baby 😢😢he is all I look forward to..

April 2, 2018


3 Recommendations

A bloated stomach is a symptom not a condition and may be bloated due to fluid, gas or fat; you should visit your Veterinarian if you haven’t already for an examination and blood test (particular liver function, kidney function and albumin levels if the bloating is fluid). There are a variety of conditions which may cause a bloated stomach, but without a diagnosis I cannot give any recommendation or suggestion for treatment. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM

April 3, 2018

My dog have the some problem she started just fe days ago took her to the vet this morning they did XR and blood work.Dr says that everything looks normal.protein levels and all blood work are ok.Dr says that theyhave to chekc for liver problems but all test from today are normal. should i go to another dr?

April 12, 2018

Frany F.

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Dalmatian

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Pippa

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1 Year

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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Fluid In Abdomen
Hi. I've got a Dalmatian who just turn 1 2 weeks ago. At the end of the year she ate a Sago palm that we had in the yard. We took her to the vet as she wasn't well and they did not know sago palm is toxic for dogs so they just gave her something to stop her from vomiting and settle her tummy. After a week she wasn't getting better so I did some research on the internet and found out the plant was toxic so we rushed her back to the vet and they kept her overnight, they did blood tests and found out her liver levels were crazily high and that in fact she was suffering from poisoning. Thy medicated her and gave her vitamin k tablets as well. Pippa started recovering slowly until about a week ans a half ago when her tummy started getting really big, we took her back to the vet and after now 5 days of taking her in every day for a check up and lots of blood test the vet has come up with nothing. All she said was that the initial blood test showed her white cell count was high and the red cell count low. Liver function and other organs she said are ok and the blood test did show normal for her liver. She was given again vitamin k tablets and has been taking them since Saturday. Today had more test and the vet said readings show red cells are regenerating and liver levels look normal. She tried an x-ray but there's too much fluid and she could not see anything. We are so worried and will be taking her to the specialists clinic tomorrow, we don't want to lose her but at the same time don't want her suffering. Do you thing her fluid is a consequence of her poisoning with the sago palm in New Year's Eve? Could that be a side effect? Are there any questions I should be asking tomorrow? Would cancer show up on the tests they did? Please let me know anything you can. She is super hungry and eats well, poo and wee look normal and going toilet not a problem. Her tummy is so big and scary... she is not whining or crying so I guess she is not in pain. Has not had fever but is super thirsty all the time. The vet we have been taking her too has been very unhelpful and doesn't say much to us unless we ask and ans and chase ans chase, please help!

March 6, 2018


1 Recommendations

Cases of sago palm poisoning need to be treated aggressively from the beginning to get the best prognosis; in saying that the mortality rate for sago palm poisoning in dogs is around 50% and many people are unaware of its toxicity. Any therapy given from now would be supportive and symptomatic to try to allow the body to recover as a whole, it is encouraging that red blood cells are regenerating but Pippa isn’t in the clear yet and anaemia isn’t a typical symptom of sago palm poisoning. The visit to the Specialist will allow for another hands on opinion about Pippa’s current state of health and will allow for additional testing; questions to ask at the Specialist would be to confirm that all the current symptoms are related to the poisoning event and to ask the rationale behind any other treatment given (so you fully understand what is happening). Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM https://wagwalking.com/condition/sago-palm-poisoning http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/sago-palm/

March 6, 2018

I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2004. I was given antibiotics, which seemed to help. However, I still suffer from some of the symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, joint pain, and even neurological problems in controlling hand and leg movements. The inability to walk right etc, are temporary and generally happen when I am really tired and have been working hard. I lost touch with reality. Suspecting it was the medication I Went off the antibiotics (with the doctor’s knowledge) and started on Lyme disease natural herbal formula I ordered from GREEN HOUSE HERBAL CLINIC, I spoke to few people who used the treatment here in USA and they all gave a positive response, my symptoms totally declined over a 6 weeks use of the Green House Lyme disease natural herbal formula. I’m 70 now and doing very well, the disease is totally reversed! (Visit their website www . Greenhouseherbalclinic . com) I am thankful to nature, herbs are truly gift from God. I can now go about my daily activities and the pain is greatly diminished. Don't give up hope, fellow sufferers. Share with friends!!

March 23, 2018

Joan D.

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Fluid in Abdomen Average Cost

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Average Cost

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