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Fluid retention - abdomen, prosternum

Maggie is a 10 yr old Golden Retriever.
Three years ago she had pyometra which was operated on successfully.
Other than that, Maggie has has no other health issues throughout her life.

On Monday I noticed that her breathing, while resting, was a bit off...just a bit shallow and quickened.
I also noticed that her abdomen was a tight and a bit potbellied.
Throughout the rest of this past week not much has changed.
Her breathing is the same, somewhat faster when walking or outside.
Her abdomen is still distended and seems to go from tight to softer.
She is not in any pain and rolls over for a belly rub when I check her abdomen.
Her behaviour has not changed. She's still my bright eyed, happy, tail wagging girl.
She can be somewhat lazy...So, I won't say lethargic because normally she is my couch potato. :)
She is alert and obeying commands
She is eating, drinking, urinating and defacating normally.
No coughing, gagging, throat clearing.

Yesterday, I noticed some additional fluid retention in her pro sternum.
Today, she was sleeping on the couch with her head hanging. Afterwards, I noticed the fluid had moved up to her throat.
She still has no gagging, coughing or throat clearing.

I'm open to suggestions...

Thanks in advance.
5 Responses
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441382 tn?1452810569
I am so very sorry that the news you received was so bad.   As much joy as our pets bring us it never ceases to amaze me how quickly things seem to go south when they decide to.  

I pray that Maggie's medication works and that you can still have lots of quality time with her, loving her and spoiling her.  Be diligent with her dosages and just spoil her rotten.  You'll never regret it.

Ghilly
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update.
Maggie's visit with the vet went well, although, we received some pretty devastating news.

Maggie has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
It's advanced.
Her heart is enlarged, however blood tests determined no other organs are involved.
Her vet was shocked to remove 14.8 lbs of fluid buildup from a dog who was showing no major symptoms other than a very slightly distended abdomen.
Her vet prescribed a diuretic as well as Benazepril in the hopes that we can avoid additional fluid retention and extend her life by a bit.
However, her prognosis is not good.  If the medication works perhaps a few months, if not, perhaps a few weeks.
Maggie is at home resting, staying as calm as possible, enjoying lots of boiled chicken and rice, many cookies and being the wonderful girl we love.
Thank you for your knowledgable advice.
Helpful - 0
675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
My advice is to take Maggie as soon as possible to the vet and ask for an abdominal ultrasound, particularly of the spleen and liver. Golden Retrievers -even happy wagging healthy ones! -are very prone to developing bleeding tumours on the spleen. Some of these can be 'slow bleeds' or slight bleeds, and if it was caught early it might give her a better chance.
I am not diagnosing, or saying it IS DEFINITELY that, but it would be wise to investigate.
Bless her, and I hope she continues to be well for a long time to come.
Helpful - 0
441382 tn?1452810569
A visit to the vet is most definitely in order.  An accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity can be caused by a few different things, most of which can be quite serious and need attention immediately.

She will need bloodwork to make sure her liver is functioning correctly.  Ascites, or abdominal effusion, can be caused by abdominal cancer, low levels of protein in the blood (hypoproteinemia) or right sided congestive heart failure.  It can also be caused by a ruptured bladder, which seems unlikely in her case because she is acting normally and doesn't seem to be in pain, which she would be with a ruptured bladder.

The vet will have to remove some of the fluid to analyze it to see what it is comprised of, and from there they will be able to tell which route of treatment will be necessary.  

Please keep us posted as to what you find out when you go to the vet.  I will keep good thoughts for Maggie and for you.

Ghilly
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Pls get the app for Asap as
just lost my dog on the 4 Jan 16 . She had been back and forth to the Pdsa and seen numerous vets, had blood tests,fluid sample taken from her stomach and ultrasound scan and still no vet could tell me what was wrong with my dog.
1 of the out of hrs vets said they would drain the fluid from her stomach the following day, but where I returned with her the next day the vet said quote "we can't drain the fluid because we don't know how much to drain away" what the hell this could have saved my dog.
All her tests came back perfect except low protein which no of the vets told me I have had to wait for a report to read this information. I had taken her to the vets because she had a bloated stomach and wasn't eating but she was drinking a lot of water due to the Frusemide tablet they had given her.
When I returned with her on the 4th they said it could be cancer somewhere in her stomach, so we might aswell euthanse her, to which I declined due to they were saying they didn't know what was the cause of the fluid but it could be cancer.
I agreed for them operate on her and take a biopsy but 1 of the vets said he were not going to operate on her unless I given permission to put my dog to sleep, sorry but you don't operate to put to sleep.
They took her into the operating room and about 20 mins later came and told me my dog had die under anaesthetic (what a coincidence) I believe my dog was put to sleep without my consent, which is not what should have happened.
I should have been taking my dog home alive that day but they took this away from me
Rest in piece baby girl we will never forget u n will always lov u x x x
I really hope your dog is ok x
974371 tn?1424653129
Considering her age and the symptoms, my concern would be possible congestive heart failure or some cardiac issue.  Of course, it could be many things.  Some conditions of old age, like in people, can be managed with medication if caught early enough.  I am nit sure when she last saw a Vet but it might be a good idea to take her in for a check up.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I've been reading about CHF and other cardiac issues in dogs and this is my thinking, too.
Maggie has an appointment with her vet this week.

In the meantime, I'm watching her very closely.
I've halved her usual food (concerned regarding sodium content and fluid retention) - and I've supplemented with a bone and vegetable broth - while also keeping track of her breathing rate. She's not in any distress - it's not fluctuating abnormally.
Also, no fluid anywhere other than her belly that I can see.
Still no coughing, gagging or throat clearing and still urinating, defacating on her usual schedule.
Hopefully, I've caught whatever this is early. Thanks for your response.

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