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==Introduction==

==Description==

Haemorrhagic effusions occur when blood leaks into a body cavity (the thorax, abdomen or pericardial sac).  This occurs most commonly when a blood vessel is ruptured or eroded or when an organ ruptures.  The fluid from acute haemorrhagic effusions resembles whole blood (with platelet clumps and leucocytes) but the fluid from more chronic effusions will not contain platelets, will not clot and will contain macrophages (or haemosiderophages) that have begun to phagocytose the haem pigment degradation product haemosiderin that is released from lysed red blood cells .  Causes of haemorrhagic effusions include:

Haemorrhagic effusions occur when blood leaks into a body cavity (the thorax, abdomen or pericardial sac).  This occurs most commonly when a blood vessel is ruptured or eroded or when an organ ruptures.  The fluid from acute haemorrhagic effusions resembles whole blood (with platelet clumps and leucocytes) but the fluid from more chronic effusions will not contain platelets, will not clot and will contain macrophages (or haemosiderophages) that have begun to phagocytose the haem pigment degradation product haemosiderin that is released from lysed red blood cells .  Causes of haemorrhagic effusions include:

*'''Traumatic''' rupture of a blood vessel or of an organ.  The spleen is most likely to rupture after blunt abdominal trauma but the kidney or liver may also be affected.  The presence of blood in the pleural cavity ('''haemothorax''') may occur when fractured ribs lacerate blood vessels within the chest.  Manual ablation of corpora lutea in cattle may also cause intra-abdominal haemorrhage and ovarobursal adhesions.

*'''Traumatic''' rupture of a blood vessel or of an organ.  The spleen is most likely to rupture after blunt abdominal trauma but the kidney or liver may also be affected.  The presence of blood in the pleural cavity ('''haemothorax''') may occur when fractured ribs lacerate blood vessels within the chest.  Manual ablation of corpora lutea in cattle may also cause intra-abdominal haemorrhage and ovarobursal adhesions.

Signs of regeneration (increased mean cell volume (MCV) and polychromasia) would not be expected until 48-72 hours after the event in dogs.

Signs of regeneration (increased mean cell volume (MCV) and polychromasia) would not be expected until 48-72 hours after the event in dogs.

Clotting times and a buccal mucosal bleeding time can be measured for detection of coagulopathies or thrombocytopathia (if the number of platelets is known to be normal).  With acute rodenticide poisoning, the OSPT is often elevated initially because factor VII (part of the extrinsic pathway) has the shortest half-life of the vitamin K-dependent factors.  Blood samples may be sent to specialist laboratories for measurement of levels of clotting factors (VIII and IX), von Willebrand's factor and proteins present in the absence of vitamin K (PIVKAs).  Changes on a biochemical profile should indicate any severe hepatic disease and faecal samples can be collected for detection of ''[[Angiostrongylus vasourum]]'' if this is suspected.

Clotting times and a buccal mucosal bleeding time can be measured for detection of coagulopathies or thrombocytopathia (if the number of platelets is known to be normal).  With acute rodenticide poisoning, the OSPT is often elevated initially because factor VII (part of the extrinsic pathway) has the shortest half-life of the vitamin K-dependent factors.  Blood samples may be sent to specialist laboratories for measurement of levels of clotting factors (VIII and IX), von Willebrand's factor and proteins present in the absence of vitamin K (PIVKAs).  Changes on a biochemical profile should indicate any severe hepatic disease and faecal samples can be collected for detection of ''[[Angiostrongylus vasorum]]'' if this is suspected.

===Diagnostic Imaging===

===Diagnostic Imaging===

Pericardial effusions that are causing tamponade should be drained by pericardiocentesis but, if the effusion is recurrent, pericardectomy may be indicated.  

Pericardial effusions that are causing tamponade should be drained by pericardiocentesis but, if the effusion is recurrent, pericardectomy may be indicated.  

[[Category:Effusions]]

[[Category:Effusions]]

 

[[Category:Expert_Review]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]