title: A practical approach to hemoperitoneum in the dog and cat.
abstract: Hemoperitoneum can occur in animals of any age and can result from many different disease processes. Neoplastic and traumatic conditions are the most common causes. Many of these patients present with hemodynamic instability but stabilize with rational intravenous fluid therapy and abdominal counterpressure. Surgical exploration of the abdomen is indicated in many situations. Surgical therapy is aimed at resection or control of the bleeding focus, removal of any devitalized tissue, and biopsy of additional sites of suspicion. Optimal treatment for all patients with hemoperitoneum frequently requires advanced critical care, anesthesia, and surgical techniques. Finally, the treatment outcome is variable and dependent on the underlying cause and its severity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brockman
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mongil
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Aronson
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000662:veterinary; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic