{"id":1254,"date":"2013-09-01T02:12:35","date_gmt":"2013-09-01T02:12:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phosdev.com\/todaysveterinarypractice\/?p=1254"},"modified":"2022-07-05T13:54:16","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T13:54:16","slug":"acute-abdomen-in-dogs-cats-step-by-step-approach-to-patient-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/09\/T1309F01.pdf\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9886\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2011\/07\/pdf_button.png\" alt=\"pdf_button\" width=\"110\" height=\"27\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Acute gastrointestinal (GI) distress and abdominal pain require prompt evaluation and immediate intervention to prevent further morbidity and mortality. The most important question is: Does the patient require medical or surgical management? If surgical management is warranted, the clinician will need to time the surgery to decrease further morbidity and maximize survival.<\/p>\n<p>Acute abdominal pain is associated with a variety of underlying causes (<strong>Table 1<\/strong>), and results from:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stimulation of pain fibers\u2014A-delta and c-nociceptors\u2014within the:\n<ul>\n<li>GI tract (ie, submucosa, muscularis or peritoneal lining of hollow viscera)<\/li>\n<li>Abdominal organs (ie, capsule distension and stretching of spleen and liver)<\/li>\n<li>Nerves, muscle, fascia, and skin associated with the abdominal wall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Pain referred from extra-abdominal sites.<sup>1<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Table-1-.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4252 size-full alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Table-1-.png\" alt=\"Table 1\" width=\"360\" height=\"1052\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Table-1-.png 360w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Table-1--103x300.png 103w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Table-1--350x1024.png 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span class=\"bluboldheader\">STEP 1. Determine if clinical signs are associated with acute abdominal pain.<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Clinical signs associated with acute abdominal pain may include:<sup>2<\/sup><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Restlessness and\/or guarding or splinting of the abdomen<\/li>\n<li>Arched back or &#8220;prayer position&#8221; (<strong>Figure 1<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li>Abdominal distension (<strong>Figure 2<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li>GI signs, including vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, retching, or anorexia<\/li>\n<li>Poor perfusion parameters, including pale mucous membranes (<strong>Figure 3<\/strong>), prolonged capillary refill time, and poor pulse quality<\/li>\n<li>Tachypnea and\/or tachycardia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_2382\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2382\" class=\"wp-image-2382 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 1\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-1.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2382\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1. Abdominal stretching or the classic &#8220;prayer position.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2383\" style=\"width: 214px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2383\" class=\"wp-image-2383 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-2.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 2\" width=\"204\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2383\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 2. Severe abdominal distention due to ascites.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2384\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2384\" class=\"wp-image-2384 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-3.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 3\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-3.jpg 400w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-3-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2384\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 3. Pale mucous membranes.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong><span class=\"bluboldheader\">STEP 2. Categorize patient as nonsurgical, emergent, or critical.<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>When a patient presents with concern for GI distress and acute abdominal pain, I try to place them into 1 of 3 categories: nonsurgical (medical), emergent, or critical (<strong>Table 2<\/strong>).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.31-AM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4257 size-full alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.31-AM.png\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-06-02 at 11.40.31 AM\" width=\"393\" height=\"521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.31-AM.png 393w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.31-AM-226x300.png 226w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 393px) 100vw, 393px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Some cases are fairly straightforward; for example, the 4-year-old standard poodle that presents with acute onset of panting, pacing, nonproductive retching, and distended abdomen. Gastric dilatation\u2013volvulus (GDV) is the most likely diagnosis. However, other cases present with clinical signs consistent with acute abdomen but too vague to identify a specific diagnosis without further evaluation.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, use your well-tuned examination and diagnostic skills to determine whether patients require a medical or surgical approach.<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span class=\"bluboldheader\">STEP 3. Perform triage evaluation and address any life-threatening abnormalities.<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong><span class=\"bold\">Triage History<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Important triage information includes:<sup>3<\/sup><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Signalment\n<ul>\n<li>Age: Younger patients may have a different differential list (eg, trauma, poisoning) compared with older patients (eg, neoplasia, metabolic disease)<\/li>\n<li>Sex: Intact patients may also have a different differential list (eg, pyometra, prostatic abscess) than that of neutered patients.<\/li>\n<li>Breed: Breed variations may help guide examination and diagnostics, such as a standard poodle with GDV or hypoadrenocorticism versus a dachshund with intervertebral disk disease<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Presenting complaint<\/li>\n<li>Time of onset<\/li>\n<li>Progression since initial onset.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong><span class=\"bold\">Triage Examination<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A triage examination is a brief, focused, physical evaluation that is critical to assess major body systems, which include the cardiovascular (ie, circulation and tissue perfusion), neurologic (ie, brain or spinal cord dysfunction), respiratory (ie, airway patency, oxygenation), and urogenital (ie, renal function and urinary bladder integrity) systems. Failure to recognize an abnormality in any system can result in immediate, life-threatening deterioration of the patient.<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span class=\"bluboldheader\">STEP 4. Obtain detailed history and perform thorough physical examination.<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Once the initial assessment is completed and any life-threatening abnormalities addressed, obtain a more thorough history and perform a complete physical examination.<\/p>\n<h3><strong><span class=\"bold\">Acute Abdomen History<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>In patients with GI distress and acute abdominal pain, history should address:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Medication history (both prescription and over the counter)<\/li>\n<li>Access to foreign material (indoors and outdoors)\n<ul>\n<li>Abnormal\/new food<\/li>\n<li>Garbage<\/li>\n<li>Recent abdominal surgery<\/li>\n<li>Toys (both children and pet)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Trauma<\/li>\n<li>If vomiting present, differentiating it from regurgitation, coughing, or retching.<\/li>\n<li>If diarrhea present, characterizing it as large or small bowel based on color, frequency, and consistency and supplementing with rectal examination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Physical Examination Evaluation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Following the triage examination, perform a thorough physical examination (<strong>Table 3<\/strong>).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.45-AM1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4258 size-full alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.45-AM1.png\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-06-02 at 11.40.45 AM\" width=\"389\" height=\"796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.45-AM1.png 389w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.45-AM1-147x300.png 147w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>STEP 5. During history and physical examination, begin monitoring patient.<\/h2>\n<p>An effective veterinary team has mastered the art of multitasking. To facilitate efficient patient assessment, ask support staff to:<sup>4<\/sup><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Place peripheral IV catheter(s)<\/li>\n<li>Initiate intermittent or continuous electrocardiography for cardiac monitoring<\/li>\n<li>Monitor pulse oximetry and blood pressure<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate packed cell volume, total protein, blood glucose, lactate, and electrolytes; determine if azotemia is present.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"bluboldheader\">STEP 6. Initiate primary treatment based on findings.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Based on physical examination and initial diagnostic results, primary treatments may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>IV fluid therapy to correct hypovolemia and improve perfusion; administer:\n<ul>\n<li>Balanced isotonic crystalloids (10\u201330 mL\/kg) in incremental boluses<\/li>\n<li>Synthetic colloids (hydroxyethyl starch, 3\u20135 mL\/kg) in incremental boluses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Supplemental oxygen, if there is labored breathing or abnormal perfusion<\/li>\n<li>Analgesic therapy:<sup>5<\/sup>\n<ul>\n<li>Opioid therapy is most commonly used (<strong>Table 4<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<li>Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be used with caution until the underlying cause is identified. Their usefulness is limited in hypoperfused patients due to side effects (renal and GI compromise) and potential need for surgery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.56-AM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4255 size-full aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.56-AM.png\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-06-02 at 11.40.56 AM\" width=\"493\" height=\"240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.56-AM.png 493w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.40.56-AM-300x146.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>STEP 7. Perform secondary survey as well as additional diagnostics.<\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"bold\">Laboratory Analysis<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Complete blood count: White blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts<\/li>\n<li>Serum biochemical profile: Important organ values, blood glucose, and electrolytes<\/li>\n<li>Pancreatic testing: Pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity test, lipase, or amylase can be used to evaluate possible pancreatitis.<\/li>\n<li>Coagulation profile: Prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, and D-dimers<\/li>\n<li>Urinalysis and urine sediment: Urine specific gravity, presence of bacteria, and other abnormalities<\/li>\n<li>Fecal examination: Fecal float and cytology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<h3><strong><span class=\"bold\">Imaging Analysis<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Radiography to identify or evaluate (<strong>Figures 4 through 6<\/strong>):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>GDV or pneumoperitoneum<\/li>\n<li>Presence of foreign material or intestinal pattern consistent with obstruction, such as small intestinal plication or dilation (Note: Distention of bowel up to 1.6\u00d7 the height of the body of L5 is reportedly normal in dogs).<\/li>\n<li>Poor contrast and detail due to:\n<ul>\n<li>Ascites (eg, carcinomatosis)<\/li>\n<li>Lack of abdominal fat (eg, cachectic or juvenile patient)<\/li>\n<li>Mass effect (eg, pyometra or stump pyometra, splenic mass)<\/li>\n<li>Peritonitis (eg, septic effusion due to ruptured intestinal viscera).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2385\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2385\" class=\"wp-image-2385 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-4-300x242.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 4\" width=\"300\" height=\"242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-4-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-4.jpg 372w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2385\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 4. Gastric dilation-volvulus<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2386\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2386\" class=\"wp-image-2386 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-5-300x211.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 5\" width=\"300\" height=\"211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-5-300x211.jpg 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-5.jpg 427w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2386\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 5. Severe gastric distention due to &#8220;food bloat&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2387\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2387\" class=\"wp-image-2387 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-6-300x239.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 6\" width=\"300\" height=\"239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-6-300x239.jpg 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-6.jpg 376w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2387\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 6. Large urinary bladder stones<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Abdominal ultrasound to identify (<strong>Figure 7<\/strong>):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>GI obstruction<\/li>\n<li>Pancreatitis<\/li>\n<li>Peritoneal effusion<\/li>\n<li>Pyometra<\/li>\n<li>Specific organ enlargement<\/li>\n<li>Urinary tract obstruction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_2388\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-7.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2388\" class=\"wp-image-2388 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-7-300x201.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 7\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-7-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-7.jpg 447w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2388\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 7. Ultrasound appearance of small intestinal intussusception<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><strong>Cytologic Analysis<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Effusion can be obtained by:<sup>6,7<\/sup><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Abdominocentesis (ultrasound-guided or 4-quadrant technique)<\/li>\n<li>Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (for small volume effusion or if ultrasound is unavailable).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Cytologic evaluation of the effusion should include (<strong>Figure 8<\/strong>):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identification of degenerate neutrophils, neoplastic cells, and\/or intracellular bacteria<\/li>\n<li>Nucleated cell count and differentiation among transudate, modified transudate, or exudate<\/li>\n<li>Detection of food material<\/li>\n<li>Measurement of:<sup>8,9<\/sup>\n<ul>\n<li>Lactate and glucose (compared to plasma in evaluation of sepsis)<\/li>\n<li>Creatinine and potassium (compared to plasma in evaluation of urinary tract rupture)<\/li>\n<li>Bilirubin (compared to plasma in evaluation of biliary tract rupture).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_2389\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-8.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2389\" class=\"wp-image-2389 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-8-300x289.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 8\" width=\"300\" height=\"289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-8-300x289.jpg 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-8.jpg 311w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2389\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 8. Septic suppurative inflammation diagnosing a septic abdomen<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>STEP 8. For emergent and critical patients, consider indications for surgery:<\/h2>\n<p>Indications for immediate surgical intervention in critical patients include (<strong>Figures 9 and 10<\/strong>):<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2390\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-9.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2390\" class=\"wp-image-2390 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-9-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 9\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-9-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-9.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2390\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 9. Gross surgical appearance of a small intestinal intussusception<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_2391\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-10.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2391\" class=\"wp-image-2391 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-10-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 10\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-10-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Figure-10.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2391\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 10. Dehiscence of a small intestinal reaction and anastomosis<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><strong>Abdominal Conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>1. Complete bowel obstruction<br \/>\n2. GDV<br \/>\n3. Inability to medically stabilize intra-abdominal hemorrhage<sup>10,11<\/sup><br \/>\n4. Mesenteric volvulus<br \/>\n5. Penetrating abdominal injury<br \/>\n6. Splenic torsion<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Diagnostic Findings<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>7. Cytologic evidence of intracellular bacteria or plant\/food material in abdominal fluid<br \/>\n8. Elevated creatinine and potassium levels compared to peripheral serum levels<br \/>\n9. Elevated bilirubin levels compared to peripheral serum levels<br \/>\n10. Free gas on abdominal radiographs (if radiographs taken prior to abdominocentesis and patient has not had recent abdominal surgery)<\/p>\n<p>Once a diagnosis is made, the critical question is: How soon should surgery be performed? This decision depends on 2 factors:<br \/>\n1. How stable is the patient?<br \/>\n2. What is the underlying diagnosis?<\/p>\n<p>Most patients presenting with an acute abdomen will require some degree of stabilization prior to anesthesia and surgery. For example, in patients with acute abdominal pain and GI distress with hypovolemia, common findings are acid\u2013base or electrolyte abnormalities, which should be addressed prior to anesthetic induction.<\/p>\n<p>Clinical judgment is needed to determine the appropriate balance between presurgical stabilization and the amount of time taken before the problem can be surgically corrected.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"bluboldheader\">STEP 9. For all patients, implement appropriate medical therapy.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In addition to fluid therapy, electrolyte correction, and potential surgical correction, other therapies to consider include:<\/p>\n<h3><strong><span class=\"bold\">Antibiotic Therapy<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Translocation of gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes may occur following a period of poor perfusion and alteration to the integrity of the GI tract. Common broad-spectrum antibiotic combinations I use in critical patients are listed in <strong>Table 5<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.41.07-AM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4254 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.41.07-AM-300x291.png\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-06-02 at 11.41.07 AM\" width=\"300\" height=\"291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.41.07-AM-300x291.png 300w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.41.07-AM.png 349w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>GI Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>For persistent GI upset, administer gastroprotectants and antiemetics (<strong>Table 6<\/strong>).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.41.16-AM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4253 size-full alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.41.16-AM.png\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-06-02 at 11.41.16 AM\" width=\"492\" height=\"485\" srcset=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.41.16-AM.png 492w, https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/Screen-Shot-2015-06-02-at-11.41.16-AM-300x296.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 492px) 100vw, 492px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>IN SUMMARY<\/h2>\n<p>Ultimately, the prognosis for patients with acute abdomen depends on the underlying disease process.<sup>12<\/sup> Many diseases are treatable with fluid resuscitation, pain control, and exploratory laparotomy. Rapid evaluation and treatment of life-threatening complications, such as hypovolemic shock, decreases morbidity and gives the astute clinician time to determine a diagnosis and develop a therapeutic plan.<\/p>\n<p>GDV = gastric dilatation\u2013volvulus; GI = gastrointestinal; NSAID = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Acute gastrointestinal distress and abdominal pain require prompt evaluation and immediate intervention.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":187,"featured_media":2774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"iawp_total_views":6287,"footnotes":""},"categories":[372],"tags":[13],"class_list":["post-1254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-september-october-2013","tag-peer-reviewed","column-features","clinical_topics-gastroenterology"],"acf":{"hide_sidebar":false,"hide_sidebar_ad":false,"hide_all_ads":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care | Today&#039;s Veterinary Practice<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Acute gastrointestinal distress and abdominal pain require prompt evaluation and immediate intervention.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Today&#039;s Veterinary Practice\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/todaysveterinarypractice\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2013-09-01T02:12:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-07-05T13:54:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/alt-silo-dog.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"540\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"agraham\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"agraham\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"agraham\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b8704dd739a338571b1c8e74cac3955b\"},\"headline\":\"Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care\",\"datePublished\":\"2013-09-01T02:12:35+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-07-05T13:54:16+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1478,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/alt-silo-dog.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Peer Reviewed\"],\"articleSection\":[\"September\\\/October 2013\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"MedicalWebPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/\",\"name\":\"Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care | Today&#039;s Veterinary Practice\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/alt-silo-dog.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2013-09-01T02:12:35+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-07-05T13:54:16+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/alt-silo-dog.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/alt-silo-dog.jpg\",\"width\":800,\"height\":540},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/gastroenterology\\\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Today's Veterinary Practice\",\"description\":\"Peer-Reviewed Veterinary Journal\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Today's Veterinary Practice\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2022\\\/01\\\/tvp-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2022\\\/01\\\/tvp-logo.png\",\"width\":179,\"height\":89,\"caption\":\"Today's Veterinary Practice\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/todaysveterinarypractice\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/thenavc\"],\"email\":\"info@navc.com\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b8704dd739a338571b1c8e74cac3955b\",\"name\":\"agraham\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7300db62fb97dde3e7e51b4a132c2e9ddf3372a5e614c2f55a2cb9c86ffa9bcf?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7300db62fb97dde3e7e51b4a132c2e9ddf3372a5e614c2f55a2cb9c86ffa9bcf?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7300db62fb97dde3e7e51b4a132c2e9ddf3372a5e614c2f55a2cb9c86ffa9bcf?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"agraham\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/navc.sitepreview.app\\\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\\\/author\\\/agraham\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care | Today&#039;s Veterinary Practice","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care","og_description":"Acute gastrointestinal distress and abdominal pain require prompt evaluation and immediate intervention.","og_url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/","og_site_name":"Today&#039;s Veterinary Practice","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/todaysveterinarypractice","article_published_time":"2013-09-01T02:12:35+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-07-05T13:54:16+00:00","og_image":[{"width":800,"height":540,"url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/alt-silo-dog.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"agraham","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"agraham","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/"},"author":{"name":"agraham","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b8704dd739a338571b1c8e74cac3955b"},"headline":"Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care","datePublished":"2013-09-01T02:12:35+00:00","dateModified":"2022-07-05T13:54:16+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/"},"wordCount":1478,"commentCount":1,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/alt-silo-dog.jpg","keywords":["Peer Reviewed"],"articleSection":["September\/October 2013"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":["WebPage","MedicalWebPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/","url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/","name":"Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care | Today&#039;s Veterinary Practice","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/alt-silo-dog.jpg","datePublished":"2013-09-01T02:12:35+00:00","dateModified":"2022-07-05T13:54:16+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/alt-silo-dog.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2013\/09\/alt-silo-dog.jpg","width":800,"height":540},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/gastroenterology\/acute-abdomen-in-dogs-and-cats\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Acute Abdomen in Dogs &amp; Cats: Step-by-Step Approach to Patient Care"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/","name":"Today's Veterinary Practice","description":"Peer-Reviewed Veterinary Journal","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/#organization","name":"Today's Veterinary Practice","url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/01\/tvp-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/01\/tvp-logo.png","width":179,"height":89,"caption":"Today's Veterinary Practice"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/todaysveterinarypractice","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/thenavc"],"email":"info@navc.com"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b8704dd739a338571b1c8e74cac3955b","name":"agraham","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7300db62fb97dde3e7e51b4a132c2e9ddf3372a5e614c2f55a2cb9c86ffa9bcf?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7300db62fb97dde3e7e51b4a132c2e9ddf3372a5e614c2f55a2cb9c86ffa9bcf?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7300db62fb97dde3e7e51b4a132c2e9ddf3372a5e614c2f55a2cb9c86ffa9bcf?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"agraham"},"url":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/author\/agraham\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/187"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1254"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1254\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31243,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1254\/revisions\/31243"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}