Untangling effusion confusion: a clinical pathology and medicine approach

In health the pleural and peritoneal cavity contain a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant allowing the free motion of internal organs against one another and body cavity walls. An effusion is the result of the abnormal accumulation of fluid within a body cavity. It’s not a disease in itself but, rather, an indication of a pathological process in the fluid production and removal system or an accumulation from an ectopic source. Patients with abdominal effusions may present with fairly non-specific symptoms, including lethargy, weakness, and abdominal distention. While dogs and cats with thoracic effusions often show dyspnea as the most common clinical sign, representing a true emergency. Fluid analysis, including cytological examination and classification, is a quick, easy, inexpensive, and relatively safe way to obtain useful information in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases resulting in thoracic and abdominal fluid accumulations. Using case studies, the latest updates in the veterinary effusion classification schemes and the medical management of dogs and cats with pleural effusions and ascites will be highlighted, from both a clinical pathologist and small animal internist perspective.

About our speakers:

Dr Vanessa McClure

Vanessa was a high school teacher for 5 years before she changed paths to study veterinary medicine. She worked in private practice for 3 years after qualifying as a vet and then returned to Onderstepoort to do her residency in small animal internal medicine which she completed in 2013. She is now a Senior lecturer and clinician in the Companion Animal Clinical Studies Department, Faculty of Veterinary Science. Her research interest is prognostic indicators in Parvo virus. She also has a special interest in Critical care and emergency medicine.

In her spare time she enjoys running, cycling, riding her horse and spending time with her husband and 11 rescued pets (which includes 4 donkeys!).

Dr Yolandi Rautenbach

I graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Science with a BVSc in 2007. I spent 4 years in Cape Town as a general practitioner and thereafter returned to the Faculty of Veterinary Science, where I completed a BVSc Honours and MMedVet (Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics) degree and concurrent residency in Clinical Pathology, obtaining European Diplomate (European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology) status in 2019. I have been employed as a Senior Lecturer of Clinical Pathology in the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies at the Faculty of Veterinary Science since 2018. I am involved in the quality assurance and diagnostic service delivery in the lab, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research, and manage the blood bank. Furthermore, I serve on the executive board of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology and is busy with a PhD degree in wildlife conservation medicine. I enjoy all aspects of veterinary clinical pathology, but especially cytology, haemopathology, immunopathology and laboratory quality assurance.

Thursday 14 October | 19h30-20h30

We are excited to see you all online in October!

Stay safe,

The Hill's Pet Nutrition Team