Haemoabdomen is defined as the accumulation of blood within the peritoneal cavity. Although haemoabdomen may occur due to blunt or penetrating trauma, it is far more common for dogs to present with spontaneous haemorrhage secondary to underlying splenic or liver pathology.The presenting signs associated with haemoabdomen can range from lethargy to collapse, depending on cause, chronicity and severity. Patients with an acute-onset haemoabdomen often present with signs of hypovolaemic shock, such as pallor, tachycardia, tachypnoea, poor peripheral pulse quality, and lethargic or dull mentation. Abdominal distension and/or an abdominal fluid wave are often present, however, they may not always be identifiable. Bruising around the umbilicus or 'Cullen's sign' may sometimes be visualised in cases with intra-abdominal haemorrhage. An abdominal mass is occasionally palpable, although this is often not possible due to fluid accumulation. Cardiac arrhythmias may be auscultated and may be associated with asynchronous peripheral pulses.
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