Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with growing belly mass causing iron-deficiency anemia
By Sebbag, Lionel et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2014·Kansas State University·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Abdominal chronic expanding hematoma causing iron-deficiency anemia in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old spayed female mixed-breed Irish wolfhound was brought to the vet because she was anemic and had a swollen belly that was getting worse. Tests showed she had a lot of fluid in her abdomen, which was causing her iron levels to drop and leading to iron-deficiency anemia. The vet performed a procedure to drain the fluid and gave her blood transfusions, but despite these efforts, the dog continued to feel unwell and was euthanized 17 days later due to ongoing lethargy and abdominal swelling. The cause was identified as a chronic expanding hematoma, which is a type of blood collection in the abdomen.
People also search for: dog anemia symptoms · swollen belly in dog · Irish wolfhound health issues · dog blood transfusion recovery · chronic hematoma in dogs
Abstract
A 2 yr old spayed female mixed-breed Irish wolfhound was referred for assessment of anemia and slowly progressing abdominal distention. At the time of admission, the dog had marked anemia and thrombocytosis, a decreased serum iron concentration, and a normal coagulation profile. An ultrasound examination showed a massive fluid-filled cavitated structure in the abdominal cavity. Paracentesis of that structure yielded a large amount of hemorrhagic fluid with an iron concentration >24 times greater than the serum iron concentration, consistent with chronic sequestration of iron, leading to iron-deficiency anemia. Blood transfusions and incomplete surgical removal of the structure allowed short-term stabilization of the patient, but the dog was euthanized 17 days postsurgery for lethargy and continued abdominal distention. Histopathological evaluation of the structure was consistent with a chronic expanding hematoma. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of intra-abdominal chronic expanding hematoma in a dog. It is also unique given its features of iron-deficiency anemia caused by internal blood loss.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25028435/