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Ascites and Abdominocentesis in Dogs

Does anybody have any experience of this, either here in Boquete or in the US with your dog? I desperately need some advice.

My otherwise healthy, 9 year old Boxer presented with an extremely distended abdomen on Saturday morning. He didnt seem to be bothered by it at all, so we watched him carefully. Sunday morning he was still behaving the same but his belly seemed tighter and equally as swollen.

We took him to the vet, who told us that he has something called "Ascites" which is basically fluid in the abdomen. Could have been caused by a variety of things.   Vet decided to treat for Parasites and also gave him antibiotics.

We were told that if the fluid didn't reduce on its own, then we are looking at the Abdominocentesis.

As of today, the fluid hasnt gone down, so tomorrow Simba is booked in to get the fluid drained.

I was hoping that someone out there in ningville could tell me what to expect? I realise that if there is an underlying issue, draining the fluid will only have a temporary effect.  Simba is nearly 9 years old. I don't want to subject him to any unnecessary suffering, but I don't want to give up on him either. Apart from the bloated belly he seems absolutely fine, just uncomfortable.

I have been doing some googling over the past week, and I am absolutely horrified at the information out there and basically that the diagnosis of Ascities is pretty much the kiss of death.

Is there anything I can do? Any natural remedies to help remove fluid? Diuretics?  Anyone with experience of this here ? Which vet should I trust to do the Abdominocentesis?  We have a vet in David called Dr Batista, but my husband took Simba to see "Cuco" the local vet. Any thoughts on Cuco performing the Abdominocentesis?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm very worried about my boy Simba.

Thanks

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Replies

  • Just so you know, Happy Vet charges $8 per office visit and keeps a record of your pet. Dr. Sam is very good with dogs and gives excellent advice.
  • So sorry to hear about Simba. Hang in there and stay positive!! I'll be thinking special thoughts for your special boy too!! Not that I even live there or anything but I would follow the others advise and take him to Happy Pet. I've heard nothing but good things about them and that in itself can make all the difference. Please let us know how it goes!!

  • hope he makes it Samantha

    • Thanks everyone for your comments.  I think we will make the trip to David to get Simba examined by the vets there at Happy Pet. I am ashamed to admit it, but funds are a little tight for us, so this was a factor in the decision to take Simba to see Cuco in the first place.

      I know his background is farm animals, but he has always been on hand  to administer antibiotics or whatever in the past. I believe my husbands family have been taking their dogs to Cuco for many years.   I did feel that if the fluid needed to be extracted then it was probably better to do it in a vets surgery.

      Bonnie, I didn't get your private message, there is nothing in  my inbox here on ning.

      Thanks Susan and Pat for your post and suggestions.   It was Cuco who said that it was fluid and not gas. He did tap on his belly, and also listened with the stethoscope. No other tests were done. I will start measuring the girth to see if its going up or down, but I it doesnt "seem" to be changing shape or tightness.

      He is still acting his normal self. He was playing with his ball this afternoon and running around the garden with our other boxers. He eats normally and is drinking lots of water - all normal.  He seems to be evacuating his bowels fine too.  All very puzzling.  

      Thanks again everyone for your posts.  I hope he makes it through this too. He is my special boy!



      • Samantha, I left a "comment"; we're not friends on Ning, so I couldn't send a message. Suffice it to say that my one experience with Cuco, in this case an emergency, caused me to never consider using him again  regardless of the circumstances.

      • Samantha, I can help with $20 and will leave it for you in an envelope at Alto Dorado Cafe in the morning.

        • Oh,  thanks so much for the offer Keith, but dont worry. 

          We will go to see them and see what they say and what they recommend.

          I do so appreciate the offer though, very kind of you.

  • Amigos de Animales does not officially have a prefered vet nor do we recommend one over the other; but on a personal note,

    I agree with Bonnie to see Happy Pets as they seem to have the best equipment and ability to diagnose.  the questions posed by SusanandPat all seem like good questions to ask before any surgery.

    All the best for Simba, keep us posted.

  • Samantha, I have sent you a private message re Cuco. My preferred vet, and the preferred vet of Amigos de Animales, is Happy Pet in David, Dr. Samuel Candanedo and his wife Dra. Patrizie Guizardi Candanedo. To reach their new clinic, turn left off the Interamerican Highway onto the street leading to Hospital Chiriqui. Go two blocks and turn left again. The clinic will be on your right. I have found them to be head and shoulders better than any other vet in the area.

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