Prognosis for acute nontraumatic hemoperitoneum in the dog: a retrospective analysis of 60 cases (2003-2006)

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2009 Mar-Apr;45(2):72-7. doi: 10.5326/0450072.

Abstract

The complete medical records of 60 dogs with hemoabdomen were reviewed. All dogs underwent exploratory laparotomy and had a diagnosis established by a veterinary pathologist. Final diagnoses were hemangiosarcoma in 38 (63.3%) dogs, splenic hematoma in 16 (26.6%) dogs, splenic torsion in three (5%) dogs, hepatocellular carcinoma in two (3.3%) dogs, and carcinomatosis in one (1.6%) dog. Twenty-four (63.1%) dogs with hemangiosarcoma, 14 (87.5%) dogs with splenic hematoma, three (100%) dogs with splenic torsion, and two (100%) dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma were discharged from the hospital. Dogs with hemangiosarcoma were given a poor prognosis, while dogs with splenic hematoma, splenic torsion, and hepatocellular carcinoma were given a fair to good prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adenocarcinoma / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / complications
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / veterinary
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / etiology*
  • Dog Diseases / surgery
  • Dogs
  • Euthanasia, Animal
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Hemangiosarcoma / complications
  • Hemangiosarcoma / veterinary
  • Hematoma / complications
  • Hematoma / veterinary
  • Hemoperitoneum / diagnosis
  • Hemoperitoneum / epidemiology
  • Hemoperitoneum / etiology
  • Hemoperitoneum / surgery
  • Hemoperitoneum / veterinary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / complications
  • Liver Neoplasms / veterinary
  • Medical Records
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Splenic Diseases / complications
  • Splenic Diseases / veterinary
  • Torsion Abnormality / complications
  • Torsion Abnormality / veterinary