Fluid in abdomen...

[cleedelec]

My 11 year old Golden Retriever/Lab stopped eating.  I found her in a pool of fluid...she became weak.  I took her to her vet who found her red and white blood cells, also platelets to be low.  There was fluid in her abdomen.  He said her stomach felt full although she had eaten very little in a week or more.  The vet put her on IV....her blood got a little better and she ate for him some.  After 4 days I brought her home with Predisone and Furosemide.  She still passed fluid for several days but gradually got some strength back.  Now, she cannot get enough to eat...I am feeding her table food instead of dog food. The vet thinks she may have a stomach tumor but I've read several things can cause this.  She pants a lot keey her mouth open most of the time.  She has acted though she felt good, probably due to the Predisone which ended today.  I trust the vet's opinion and expertise...he has been my dogs vet for near 30 years.   I would like some imput on this to see what others who may have experienced this with your older dog has to say and what should I expect?  Thank you very much

[cleedelec]

She started out taking 40 mg. of pred.  Couple days ago he reduced it by half.  I don't know if he will continue it or not.   She took her last one yesterday and he will see her today.  My concern is the withdrawal or one of the many side effects of the med.  Thank you for your reply.

[cleedelec]

Yes, he did an xray but not sure he saw anything. He sees her again today.  Will do another blood test. He does not have an ultra sound machine.And, really, why go to that expense, I love my dog but got to be realistic, she is an old dog.  She could not tolerate surgery. Thank you for your reply.

[Margot49]

The Pred can be the reason for the drinking and panting.  Did your Vet suggest an abdominal X-ray or ultrasound?  I think that would be the next thing to try.

[lindapalm]

Did your vet stop the Predisone, or taper your dog off it?  I don't know if it would affect your dog the same way, but years ago when we stopped that med on  one of our dogs, she had withdrawl symptoms, I think it was too sudden, it should have been done gradually.  Good Luck.