Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with ascites treated by automated fluid shunt system
By Venzin, C et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2012·Clinic of Small Animal Surgery·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Symptomatic treatment of ascites with a peritoneo-vesical automated fluid shunt system in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old Rottweiler was suffering from chronic fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites) and low protein levels due to a large mass in the heart and liver damage. To help manage this condition, a special pump was surgically implanted to drain the excess fluid automatically, which worked well for 10 weeks without needing additional procedures. By the end of this time, the dog's abdomen was back to normal, and protein levels improved. However, the dog did develop a skin issue near the pump site.
People also search for: dog ascites treatment · Rottweiler fluid buildup · chronic ascites in dogs · dog abdominal fluid pump · dog skin problems near surgery site
Abstract
A six-year-old Rottweiler with chronic ascites and moderate panhypoproteinaemia that had been treated with large volume paracentesis over several months duration was diagnosed with a large bi-atrial mass and hepatic fibrosis. For palliative treatment, a peritoneo-vesical automated fluid shunt system with an integrated chargeable battery and an integrated computer to control pump function and to transmit data transcutaneously was implanted by coeliotomy. The pump was left in place for 10 weeks, eliminating the need for further paracentesis during this time. At the end of this period, no ascites was discernible and serum protein concentrations had returned to their respective reference intervals. As a complication, decubitus with skin perforation had developed above the pump. Besides palliative treatment of chronic refractory ascites, this pump may have application in other conditions characterised by chronic cavity effusion or in peritoneal dialysis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22106956/