CLINICO-DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES AND THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT OF ASCITES WITH HEPATIC INVOLVEMENT IN DOGS
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Date
2023-05
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY, TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to record the occurrence, clinical signs,
haemato-biochemical, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings as well as to
undertake the therapeutic management in ascitic dogs with hepatic involvement. The
occurrence of ascites with hepatic involvement among 2356 dogs presented to the
small animal medicine ward recorded was 1.02 per cent. Highest occurrence of ascites
with hepatic involvement was recorded in Labrador retriever breed, 1-4 years age
group and in male dogs.
The clinical signs observed in dogs with ascites due to hepatic involvement
were abdominal distension, inappetence to anorexia, dullness to depression, dyspnoea,
pale mucous membranes, fever, weight loss, vomiting, icterus, melena , limb oedema,
diarrhoea , polyuria/polydipsia and petechiae.
Diagnosis of ascites with hepatic involvement was done based on clinical signs,
haematology, serum biochemistry, ascitic fluid analysis, radiographic and
ultrasonographic findings. Haematological examination revealed anaemia with
neutrophilic leucocytosis and increased prothrombin time. Mean serum biochemical
findings showed elevated ALT, ALP, GGT, total bilirubin and globulin; non-
significant increase in creatinine while the mean values decreased significantly with
respect to total protein, albumin, A:G ratio, BUN and glucose. Ascitic fluid analysis
revealed transudate predominantly with decrease in total protein and albumin
concentration while the SAAG value was >1.1 g/dL. Radiographic examination of
ascitic dogs revealed ground glass appearance with loss of serosal details.
Ultrasonographic examination revealed anechoic free fluid along with
hyper/hypoechoic liver which was normal, enlarged or shrunken; focal fatty
infiltration and gall bladder disorders.
Therapeutic management was carried out in 18 dogs with ascites due to hepatic
involvement by dividing them into 2 groups using two therapeutic regimens. In ascitic
dogs with hepatic involvement therapeutic management was done with
ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and silybin phosphatidyl choline complex in Group I
while Group II dogs were treated with silybin phosphatidyl choline complex alone.
Dogs of both the groups were treated with antibiotic, diuretic and supportive therapy.
Both the regimens were efficacious in the management of ascites with hepatic
involvement while the Group I dogs treated with UDCA and silybin phosphatidyl
choline complex showed faster clinical recovery.