Ascites is the medical term for build-up of fluid in the belly. If severe, it can interfere with breathing and become life-threatening. It can have many causes and affect dogs of all breeds and ages.

Some diseases will cause water to leak from the blood vessels in the abdomen, and this water will build up in the spaces between the organs. Other diseases cause the body to excrete fluid into this space, usually to combat an infection. Blood, bile or urine can also build up inside the tummy after an injury or internal damage. Always speak to a vet if you notice swelling of the belly, this is even more urgent if the breathing has changed or they are retching.

 

What to do

What to do if you suspect your dog has ascites

Always speak to a vet if your dog’s tummy seems swollen or has an abnormal shape.

Most of the time, there is a serious condition behind this change.

Call us in the Joii app if you’re unsure.

 

Causes

Common causes of ascites in dogs

• Heart failure
• Liver failure
• Kidney failure
• Tumour interfering with blood flow back to the heart
• Internal bleeding from an injury or a tumour
• Infection from a penetrating injury or leakage from the gut
• Urinary bladder or gallbladder leaking after an injury

 

When to worry

When to worry about ascites in dogs

Speak to a vet urgently if:

• Breathing is fast or laboured
• They are retching or dry heaving
• Swelling is rapidly worsening
• They are lethargic or struggling to stand up

Advice is available 24/7 in the Joii app if you are unsure or would like to discuss this problem further.

 

Prevention

How to prevent ascites in dogs

Regular health checks will increase the likelihood of detecting many of the causes of ascites early. In most cases, this improves the chances that treatment will be effective.

 

Diagnosis

How to know if your dog has ascites

• Belly fluid may accumulate very quickly or build up slowly over time.
• The tummy will have a round, pendulous shape, especially when the dog is standing up.
• If they aren’t too painful or stressed, you may be able to feel a wavy/sloshing movement if you press gently on the tummy with them laying on their side.
• Large amounts of fluid can start compressing the diaphragm and chest, which can cause severe breathing problems.

 

Home treatment

Home remedies for ascites in dogs

Weight gain and other diseases may sometimes be confused with ascites. I

f belly fluid is truly present, it’s always caused by a serious, often life-threatening disease. An accurate diagnosis and veterinary treatment are essential.

 

Vet treatment

Veterinary treatment of ascites in dogs

• If the swelling is interfering with breathing, your vet will drain some of the fluid. This must be done carefully to avoid:
  • Introducing infection into the belly
  • Damaging internal organs
  • Dehydration
  • A drop in blood protein levels
• Further treatment will depend on the cause of fluid build-up. Determining this may require:
  • Taking a sample of the fluid in the abdomen and analysing it
  • Blood tests to check organ function (especially kidneys and liver) and blood protein level
  • Urine tests to check kidney function and protein losses in urine
  • X-rays and ultrasound scans of the chest and abdomen
• Once a diagnosis is known or suspected, treatment may involve:
  • Surgery, if damage to an internal organ or a tumour is suspected
  • Medication for heart, kidney or liver disease
  • Diet changes and supportive care
  • Antibiotics if an infection is present. Many types of infection will also require the abdomen to be flushed and cleaned surgically

 

Risk

Is my dog at higher risk of developing ascites?

Because there are many possible causes of ascites, this can happen to any dog. The risk of specific causes of ascites, however, may be higher in some dogs:

• Some breeds are at higher risk for the type of heart disease that causes ascites, such as the Boxer, German shepherd or English bulldog
• Older dogs are at higher risk for some types of tumours
• Dogs that have spent time abroad are at risk of contracting infections that cause belly fluid

Other causes of ascites

There are other causes of ascites that are less common, such as:

• Rat poison or anticoagulant intoxication – in rare cases, this can cause bleeding into the abdomen
• Heartworm – this parasite does not exist in the UK but is common in southern europe and further afield
• Tumours and cancer can sometimes cause belly fluid by causing inflammation