Page 479 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

22 – THE CAT WITH ABDOMINAL DISTENTION OR ABDOMINAL FLUID 471

FLUID OVERLOAD* AEROPHAGIA*

Classical signs Classical signs
● Dyspnea due to pulmonary edema, and/or ● Mild abdominal distention in a dyspneic
subcutaneous edema. cat.

Clinical signs
Clinical signs
Dyspnea.
Excessive fluid therapy tends to cause pulmonary or
subcutaneous edema more than pleural or peritoneal Mildly distended stomach or loops of intestine on
effusions. abdominal palpation. Loops of intestine may feel more
or less distinct than usual. Palpation may yield a
Fluid therapy may exacerbate pre-existing ascites
“squishy” or spongy sensation and create borboryg-
by causing increased hydrostatic pressure or exacerbat-
mus.
ing hypoalbuminemia. The presence of a mechanism
for ascites formation may divert fluid away from the
lungs or subcutaneous tissue into the peritoneal space. Diagnosis
History of dyspnea.
Diagnosis
Palpable distention of gastrointestinal tract by air.
History of fluid therapy and improvement of ascites
with decreasing fluid rates or diuretic therapy. Radiography will confirm air in the gastrointestinal
tract and rule out dyspnea due to diaphragmatic com-
pression by a large volume of fluid causing abdominal
distention.
OVEREATING*

Classical signs TRAUMATIC HEMORRHAGE*
● Abdominal distention following a large
Classical signs
meal.
● Pale mucous membranes, weak pulses,
tachycardia.
Clinical signs
● External signs of trauma.
Mild abdominal distention is commonly noted in kit-
tens following nursing or drinking.
Clinical signs
Occasionally a mature cat may eat an unusually large
With blunt trauma in cats (e.g. motor vehicle accidents,
quantity of food sufficient to cause noticeable abdomi-
falling from heights), thoracic injuries and resulting
nal distention. This is most likely to happen when offer-
dyspnea are more common or clinically important than
ing a new, highly palatable food, in cats that have
abdominal injuries. Abdominal hemorrhage may occur
fasted, and in cats with polyphagia.
but is rarely life threatening.
● Signs of blunt trauma may be present, including
Diagnosis shorn nails, excoriations of the skin, fractured teeth
and mandible, epistaxis and pelvic fractures.
History of consuming a large meal.
Penetrating trauma is less common than blunt trauma,
Palpable distention of gastrointestinal tract.
and includes bite wounds, staking injuries and bullet
Radiography will demonstrate a large quantity of wounds. Bacterial peritonitis is more common or clini-
ingesta. cally important than acute abdominal hemorrhage.