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→Laboratory Tests
==== Laboratory Tests====
==== Laboratory Tests====
Haematology:
''Haematology'':
* Increased numbers of circulating nucleated erythrocytes or large numbers of acanthocytes are indicative of Haemangiosarcoma (cardiac, splenic)
* Increased numbers of circulating nucleated erythrocytes or large numbers of acanthocytes are indicative of Haemangiosarcoma (cardiac, splenic)
* Anaemia and thrombocytopaenia are more common in dogs with pericardial effusion due to Haemangiosarcoma
* Anaemia and thrombocytopaenia are more common in dogs with pericardial effusion due to Haemangiosarcoma
Biochemistry:
''Biochemistry'':
* Mild increase in liver enzymes, due to hepatic congestion
* Mild increase in liver enzymes, due to hepatic congestion
* Mild hypoproteinaemia, presumed secondary to right-sided congestive heart failure
* Mild hypoproteinaemia, presumed secondary to right-sided congestive heart failure
* Pre-renal azotemia, due to poor cardiac output
* Pre-renal azotemia, due to poor cardiac output
Cardiac biomarkers:
''Cardiac biomarkers'':
* Cardiac troponin I may be increased in dogs with pericardial disease and can be higher in dogs with Haemangiosarcoma than those with idiopathic haemorrhagic pericardial effusion.
* Cardiac troponin I may be increased in dogs with pericardial disease and can be higher in dogs with Haemangiosarcoma than those with idiopathic haemorrhagic pericardial effusion.
====Pericardial Fluid Analysis====
====Pericardial Fluid Analysis====
Fluid should always be sent for further analysis, including total and differential cell counts, packed cell volume, specific gravity, cytology, bacterial culture and sensitivity. Pericardial effusions can be classified as haemorrhagic, transudate, modified transudate and exudate and the classification informs the likely underlying cause. Differentiating reactive mesothelial cells from neoplastic mesothelial cells can be incredibly difficult, sometimes a diagnosis can only be made following histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of the excised pericardium.
Fluid should always be sent for further analysis, including total and differential cell counts, packed cell volume, specific gravity, cytology, bacterial culture and sensitivity. Pericardial effusions can be classified as haemorrhagic, transudate, modified transudate and exudate and the classification informs the likely underlying cause. Differentiating reactive mesothelial cells from neoplastic mesothelial cells can be incredibly difficult, sometimes a diagnosis can only be made following histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of the excised pericardium.