ULTRASOUND CORNER SONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF PERITONEAL EFFUSION IN SMALL ANIMALS

Abdominal effusion is a common sonographic finding. The sonographic appearance of the fluid is affected by its cellular content. Transudates and modified transudates have a low cellular content, and usually are anechoic or mildly echogenic while exudates containing a high cellular content and fibrin strands are usually echogenci. Using history, laboratory values, sonographic appearance of the effusion, an estimate of the type of effusion and probable cause can be determined.