Ascites in pet cats is a very common clinical disease. Once the disease occurs, it is difficult to cure and has a high fatality rate. There are many causes of this disease, usually including malnutrition, liver and kidney disease, or decreased kidney function. Now I will share with you my recent treatment process for a relatively typical case of nutritional ascites in cats.

1. Basic information about animals

Pear cat, about one year old, male. After consultation, it was found that the cat was originally a stray cat. After the owner brought it home, it has been kept in the basement for rodent control. It has been fed leftovers for a long time and has always been relatively thin. , but the appetite and spirit were still normal. Recently, the cat found that it was lethargic, had a decreased appetite, drank more water, was unstable in lying and standing, and had a significantly increased abdominal circumference, so it was brought to our hospital for treatment.

2. Overall and general inspection

1. Overall examination: Observe that the cat is extremely emaciated, the chest and ribs are clearly visible, the body temperature is 39 degrees Celsius, the abdominal circumference is enlarged and drooping, and there is a strong sense of fluctuation on palpation. Hydroperitoneum is suspected. When percussing the abdominal wall, the sick cat Shortness of breath.

2. Puncture examination: Use a veterinary puncture needle to puncture the abdominal cavity and drain light yellow clear liquid.

3. Diagnosis

According to the analysis of the cat’s medical history and clinical symptoms, due to its long-term consumption of low-protein and single food, and being in a dark, humid and unventilated basement, it resulted in extreme malnutrition and disordered metabolism of the body. Due to the lack of protein in the body, it caused Decreased colloid osmotic pressure in the blood, renal failure, protein leakage gastroenteritis, and low osmotic pressure cause a large amount of fluid to enter the abdominal cavity to form ascites. Primary ascites due to malnutrition due to improper feeding management can be identified.

4. Treatment measures

1. After the affected cat is placed in a supine position, use iodine tincture to disinfect the lower abdomen where the tightness of the abdominal cavity is strongest, and then use a 12# needle to penetrate 3 to 5 cm into the disinfected area. You can see that there is a slightly fishy smell of light yellow discharge from the abdominal cavity. liquid. When 2/3 of the intraperitoneal fluid is discharged, pull out the needle and press the needle hole with an iodine tincture cotton ball. Drainage once a day, 3 to 4 times in a row. The last drainage can drain away the fluid in the abdominal cavity.

2. Rehydration and diuresis, and appropriate body fluid replenishment according to the clinical symptoms of the cat. Ringer's solution or sugar saline can be infused intravenously, and VC, VB6, ATP, COA, dexamethasone, and antibiotics can be added to the liquid; an appropriate amount of high sugar (10% glucose, mannitol, dextran) and furosemide ( Diuretic drugs such as furanine and furosemide, once a day.

3. Intravenous infusion of a compound of 18 or 17 amino acids, or intravenous infusion of feline albumin, once a day.

4. Feed foods with high protein content, such as eggs, milk, etc.; limit drinking water or exercise; and keep the breeding environment dry and ventilated.

5. Treatment effect

After using the above treatment methods for one week, the affected cat regained its appetite, was in high spirits, and had a significantly reduced abdominal circumference. All conditions were basically normal and she was allowed to be discharged from the hospital. When discharged from the hospital, the owner was instructed to move the cat to a ventilated and illuminated place, and to increase nutrition in daily feeding, especially protein intake.

6. Experience

1. Furosemide mainly acts on the cortex of the ascending branch of the medullary loop to inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and hydrogen ions, leaving a large amount of sodium and hydrogen ions in the tubular fluid, causing an increase in the osmotic pressure in the lumen and causing the corresponding water to be lost. It remains in the lumen and is excreted from the urinary tract together, thereby showing a significant diuretic effect and preventing large amounts of water from being retained in the tissues and leaking out of the serosal cavity.

2. Mannitol is a tissue dehydrating agent that can increase plasma osmotic pressure and reduce tissue edema; mannitol has a diuretic effect and is not metabolized in the body. After being filtered by the glomerulus, it is rarely reabsorbed in the renal tubules. Acts as an osmotic diuretic in renal failure. The dosage of mannitol should be moderate and the dosage should be slow. High concentrations and large doses should be avoided.

3. Dexamethasone has anti-inflammatory, anti-toxic, anti-allergic, and detoxifying effects; antibiotics have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and improved kidney function effects.

4. Compound amino acids and feline albumin can supplement a large amount of protein missing in the body. Compound amino acids increase the colloid osmotic pressure; dextran and albumin are colloid osmotic pressure maintainers, and VB6 participates in the metabolism of amino acids.

5. When draining and decompressing, be careful not to withdraw too much fluid at one time and too thoroughly, otherwise it may easily lead to intestinal adhesions. Drainage should not be too fast, because when peritoneal effusion occurs, the blood in the blood vessels of the liver, stomach, intestines, and other abdominal organs will be squeezed into the blood vessels outside the chest and abdominal cavity, causing damage to the lungs, stomach, intestines, and chest and abdominal organs. Anemia, if the fluid is discharged too quickly, can cause a large amount of blood to quickly flow into the thoracic and abdominal organs, causing strong dilation and congestion of small arteries and capillaries (called post-anemic congestion), which can easily cause cerebral anemia and cause serious consequences. Natural drainage is appropriate, but if it takes a long time, drainage can be done while infusion.

6. Although feline nutritional ascites is difficult to cure and has a high mortality rate, the emphasis is on prevention. In the daily process of raising pets, we should not only make sure that the pets are well fed, but also pay attention to nutritional matching. Even if they are not famous dogs, we should also pay attention to the daily protein of the diet not to be too low, and ensure that the animals have good space for activities and sufficient of light.