title: Abdominal chronic expanding hematoma causing iron-deficiency anemia in a dog.
abstract: A 2 yr old spayed female mixed-breed Irish wolfhound was referred for assessment of anemia and slowly progressing abdominal distention. At the time of admission, the dog had marked anemia and thrombocytosis, a decreased serum iron concentration, and a normal coagulation profile. An ultrasound examination showed a massive fluid-filled cavitated structure in the abdominal cavity. Paracentesis of that structure yielded a large amount of hemorrhagic fluid with an iron concentration >24 times greater than the serum iron concentration, consistent with chronic sequestration of iron, leading to iron-deficiency anemia. Blood transfusions and incomplete surgical removal of the structure allowed short-term stabilization of the patient, but the dog was euthanized 17 days postsurgery for lethargy and continued abdominal distention. Histopathological evaluation of the structure was consistent with a chronic expanding hematoma. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of intra-abdominal chronic expanding hematoma in a dog. It is also unique given its features of iron-deficiency anemia caused by internal blood loss.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Health Center (L.S., K.H., A.H., T.L.) and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (S.G.), Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sebbag
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Harkin
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Habekost
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gumber
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D034841:Abdominal Cavity / Q000098:blood supply; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000662:veterinary; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D014463:Ultrasonography