Ascites

Today, an 8 year-old long-haired chihuahua was presented with distended abdomen. She is also recumbent and in pain since yesterday night. The owner refused to conduct laboratory tests due to financial constraint. The heartbeat is slower than normal and there is breathing difficulty. The abdomen has flat drum-like sound when tapped. Because of lack of diagnostic tests I could just guess. It could be liver, kidney or heart problem as well as tumor and perforations. I just recommended confinement for probable abdominocentesis as well as supportive therapy like IV fluids, diuretics, antibiotics and vitamins. I also give low sodium diet while monitoring the condition. I am crossing my fingers with this one.