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What causes ascites and fluid in my young puppy's abdomen?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | unspayed | 4.5 lbs

My 2 mths old female lab puppy has been diagnosed with ascites

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on June 6th, 2017

I am so sorry that your sweet Jenny has been diagnosed with ascites. There are a few different possibilities that can cause this including but not limited to a liver shunt (the blood bypasses the liver and doesn't detox like it should), congenital heart problems, low protein, a viral infection, a bacterial infection, parasites and more. I would recommend starting with a full panel of blood work and a fecal. Depending on the results, your vet may want to send in some of the fluid from her abdomen, perform x-rays, and/or an ultrasound. I hope you all are able to resolve this and she gets better really soon! Hugs!

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    Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Oh dear! Ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen) is a clinical sign of a bigger disease condition. Some possible causes of ascites include right-sided heart failure, liver failure, portosystemic shunts, and cancer (unlikely given her age). Congenital/inherited conditions are more likely causes given Jenny's young age. Your vet will be able to perform an analysis of the fluid, or preferably send it out to the lab, so that the type of fluid present can be determined. If a heart murmur or changes on chest x-rays are seen, heart failure is more likely the cause of her ascites. Blood testing will also be helpful to raise of lower suspicion of liver diseases or shunts. I hope that all goes well for Jenny!

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