Changes

Exudates may occur in any of the major body cavities.  In the '''abdomen''', there may be signs of abdominal pain (due to the underlying cause of the effusion), an abdominal fluid thrill or a palpable mass.<br>

Exudates may occur in any of the major body cavities.  In the '''abdomen''', there may be signs of abdominal pain (due to the underlying cause of the effusion), an abdominal fluid thrill or a palpable mass.<br>

In the '''chest''', a pleural effusion (including pyothorax) may cause tachypnoea and dyspnoea if severe. Dullness will be evident on thoracic percussion if a pleural effusion has developed and the heart sounds will be muffled on auscultation.<br>

In the '''chest''', a pleural effusion (including pyothorax) may cause tachypnoea and dyspnoea if severe. Dullness will be evident on thoracic percussion if a pleural effusion has developed and the heart sounds will be muffled on auscultation.<br>

'''Pericardial effusions''' may be sufficiently severe to cause '''[[Cardiac Tamponade|cardiac tamponade]]''' and right-sided [[Hear Failure|heart failure]]. The heart sounds will be muffled on auscultation and there may be hepatojugular reflux, a jugular pulse or signs of left-sided forward failure.  The exudate of a chronic septic pericarditis undergoes organisation and replacement with fibrous tissue which bridges the visceral and parietal pericardia.  This results in a '''restrictive pericarditis''' with clinical signs similar to cardiac tamponade.  Infections which penetrate deeply into the cardiac muscle may cause '''[[Myocarditis|myocarditis]]''' with disruptions of the normal conduction pathways and resultant dysryhthmias.<br>

'''Pericardial effusions''' may be sufficiently severe to cause '''[[Cardiac Tamponade|cardiac tamponade]]''' and right-sided [[Heart Failure|heart failure]]. The heart sounds will be muffled on auscultation and there may be hepatojugular reflux, a jugular pulse or signs of left-sided forward failure.  The exudate of a chronic septic pericarditis undergoes organisation and replacement with fibrous tissue which bridges the visceral and parietal pericardia.  This results in a '''restrictive pericarditis''' with clinical signs similar to cardiac tamponade.  Infections which penetrate deeply into the cardiac muscle may cause '''[[Myocarditis|myocarditis]]''' with disruptions of the normal conduction pathways and resultant dysryhthmias.<br>

Septic processes may be accompanied by more general signs of infection, including '''pyrexia''', depression, lethargy and anorexia.  Highly inflammatory exudates may cause severe pain when they damage the parietal pleura or peritoneum.  Affected animals may be reluctant to walk and will stand with a typical 'tucked-up' posture.

Septic processes may be accompanied by more general signs of infection, including '''pyrexia''', depression, lethargy and anorexia.  Highly inflammatory exudates may cause severe pain when they damage the parietal pleura or peritoneum.  Affected animals may be reluctant to walk and will stand with a typical 'tucked-up' posture.