Hemoabdomen in Dogs: Signs, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Hemoabdomen in dogs is a serious medical condition involving the buildup of blood within the abdominal (belly) cavity. This condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention. As a pet owner, understanding hemoabdomen can help you recognize the signs early and seek necessary treatment for your dog.

What is Hemoabdomen in Dogs?

Hemoabdomen is the presence of blood in the abdominal cavity, a space that contains organs such as the spleen, liver, intestines, and bladder. Normally, this cavity contains the abdominal organs and a small bit of clear fluid so the organs can comfortably move and slide around. It is very abnormal for this area of the body to have blood pooling. Blood in the abdominal cavity signals that your pet is bleeding internally, often from an organ, with the spleen being the most frequent source, followed by the liver, adrenal glands, and kidneys. Sometimes, the blood may also come from blood vessels that provide blood to the organs or even the abdominal wall muscles.  Without treatment, this condition can lead to serious issues like severe anemia or even death in dogs.

Causes and Signs of Hemoabdomen in Dogs

There are two primary categories of hemoabdomen in dogs: traumatic and spontaneous. Traumatic hemoabdomen occurs following physical injuries, such as being hit by a car or a fall. If the bleeding is not continuous, traumatic cases may resolve without surgery as the body can reabsorb the blood.

Bleeding from an abdominal organ often results from the rupture of a malignant tumor, such as splenic hemangiosarcoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and adrenal gland tumors, including adrenocortical carcinoma and pheochromocytoma. However, not all cases of abdominal bleeding are due to malignant issues; some may arise from benign conditions like splenic hematomas and hemangiomas. Despite the variety of causes, a significant percentage (60-70%) of hemoabdomen cases are attributed to an aggressive malignant tumor known as hemangiosarcoma. This type of tumor, particularly prevalent in the spleen, is known for its ability to spread, even after the spleen is removed. Hemangiosarcoma can also develop in the liver and other areas within the abdomen.

Additionally, dogs with clotting disorders may suffer from spontaneous hemoabdomen.

Although you cannot see if your dog is experiencing internal bleeding, the signs are similar to what you may see if they are experiencing external bleeding, including: 

• Bloated belly
• Weakness
• Low blood pressure
• Distressed breathing
• Skin that is cool to the touch 
• Pale gums
• Subcutaneous bruising
• Shock
• Collapse

Diagnosis and Treatment for Hemoabdomen in Dogs  

Dogs experiencing hemoabdomen often develop signs suddenly and go to veterinary hospitals, like MedVet, on an emergency basis. Upon arriving at a veterinary hospital, dogs will undergo a thorough examination to assess their condition. If your dog was injured in a trauma, ensure you share all the details of the event with the veterinary team. 

Diagnostic steps typically include blood work and imaging such as a chest X-ray and an abdominal ultrasound. These tests help determine the source of the bleeding, the extent of blood loss, and whether there are spreading tumors present.

Treatment often involves stabilizing your dog with intravenous fluids and, if necessary, blood transfusions. Not all dogs will require blood transfusions; this is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Surgery is usually the next step to stop the bleeding and remove any tumors. Surgery, while necessary, comes with its own set of risks. Complications can arise from general anesthesia, the surgical procedure itself, or from the underlying cause of the hemoabdomen. Common issues, particularly with traumatic hemoabdomen, include incisional infections, poor healing, severe anemia, heart rhythm problems, unexpected discovery of tumor spread, and blood clot formation. Post-operative care is crucial and includes restricting your dog’s activity and preventing them from licking the surgical site to promote healing. If a tumor is diagnosed, then chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment may be recommended following surgery. 

If your dog’s hemoabdomen was caused by trauma, the veterinary team may place a tight bandage wrap around your dog’s belly for up to 12 hours to slow down blood loss and stabilize their condition. Surgery is still sometimes necessary for patients whose bleeding continues.

Dogs with a clotting disorder experiencing hemoabdomen may need to restrict their exercise and play to avoid injuries.

Prognosis for Hemoabdomen in Dogs

In the short-term, the great majority of dogs who have surgery for hemoabdomen recover and are discharged from the hospital within a few days of surgery. Long-term, the prognosis for dogs with hemoabdomen varies widely and depends on whether the cause of the bleeding is a benign or malignant tumor. 

Benign tumors often allow for a curative outcome post-surgery. However, malignant conditions like hemangiosarcoma pose a greater challenge. These are aggressive cancers with a median survival time of three to six months post-surgery if not followed by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can extend this to six to nine months and is recommended to improve your pet’s quality of life.

Prevention and Early Detection of Hemoabdomen in Dogs

Preventing hemoabdomen involves regular check-ups with your family veterinarian to monitor the health of your dog’s internal organs and early detection of any abnormalities. While accidents (leading to traumatic hemoabdomen) can be hard to prevent, maintaining a safe environment can minimize risks. For breeds prone to tumors, regular health screenings may detect potential problems before they become severe.

Understanding the causes, treatments, and ways to prevent complications for hemoabdomen in dogs can help you keep your pet healthy and safe. 

Learn more about veterinary internal medicine.