Ascites in Dogs: A Comprehensive Study on Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management

The present study documents five clinical cases of canine ascites presented at the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex (TVCC), ANDUAT. Dogs of different breeds and age groups were evaluated based on clinical history, physical examination, haematological and biochemical profiling, and ultrasonographic assessment. Among the cases, Labrador Retrievers were most affected, with age ranging between 3 months to 11 years. Common clinical signs included abdominal distension, limb oedema, inappetence, and lethargy. Haematological alterations included elevated TLC and lymphocytosis, while biochemical profiles showed elevated ALT, AST, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), along with marked hypoalbuminemia and reduced total protein. These findings correlated with underlying hepatic or renal aetiologies. Ultrasonography proved valuable in detecting the presence and extent of ascitic fluid and assessing hepatic parenchymal changes. Treatment was tailored based on the aetiology and involved the use of diuretics (Furosemide, Spironolactone), hepatoprotectives (Silymarin-based formulations), and supportive care including amino acids and nephroprotective. Therapeutic outcomes were favourable in all five cases, with clinical improvement observed within 7–15 days of initiating treatment. This case series underscores the diagnostic utility of combined clinical and laboratory evaluation and highlights the effectiveness of targeted medical management in canine ascites of varied aetiology.