Abdominal enlargement and ascites

Question 1

Causes of a big abdomen

Answer 1

• fat
• fluid (ascites, RCHF)
• pregnancy
• gas (gastric dilation)
• constipation (megacolon)
• tumour
• organomegaly

Question 2

Common fluid types

Answer 2

Low protein transudate
- portal hypertension (chronic liver disease)
- severe hypoalbuminaemia (<15g/L)
- non-exfoliating neoplasia

High protein (modified) transudate
- sinusoidal or post-sinusoidal hypertension
- e.g. R heart failure, liver disease, non-exfoliating neoplasia

Chylous
- rare in abdomen

Exudate
- infection
- ruptured/leaking viscus
- underlying cancer
- pancreatitis
- prostatitis

Characteristic fluids
- bile
- urine

FIP in cats
- characteristic fluid

Blood
- trauma
- ruptured tumour (e.g. haemangiosarcoma)
- bleeding disorder