Page 451 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

22. The cat with abdominal distention

or abdominal fluid

Anthony Abrams-Ogg

KEY SIGNS
● Abdominal distention or pendulous abdomen.
● Fluid wave on ballotment.
● Abdominal mass.

MECHANISM?
● In the “8F” classification scheme the causes of abdominal distention are fluid, fat, food, feces,
flatus, fetus, formidable organomegaly and feeble abdominal musculature.

WHERE?
● Abdomen. The primary disease process may be intra-abdominal, extra-abdominal or systemic.
WHAT?
● The most common causes of moderate to marked abdominal distention in cats are physiologic –
pregnancy and obesity. The most common pathologic cause is abdominal fluid.

QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY
Diseases causing abdominal distention or abdominal fluid
ANOMALY

● Intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula (p 474)
The pressure differential between the artery and portal vein leads to ascites (transudate) secondary
to portal hypertension.
● Portal vein atresia or hypoplasia (p 475)
Congenital underdevelopment of the portal vein leads to ascites (transudate) secondary to portal
hypertension.
● Inherited coagulation defects (p 473)
Inherited coagulation factor deficiencies or deficiencies in vitamin K metabolism may cause spon-
taneous abdominal bleeding and re-bleeding after trauma.

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