Edema in Dogs

When I was pregnant with my third child, I noticed that my swollen ankles would retain an imprint of my fingers if I pressed them. Thankfully, this condition (called pitting edema) wasn’t a significant concern. However, this type of swelling is not just limited to humans or pregnancies. Edema in dogs can be far more serious.

Dogs can develop edema around the body. The condition can range from mild to severe and even life-threatening, depending on the cause. So let’s explore what edema in dogs is, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. We’ll cover how to reduce edema in dogs and how pet parents can help their furry friends.

What is Edema in Dogs?

While people often use edema and swelling interchangeably, let’s understand the relationship between these two terms. 

Swelling refers to any abnormal buildup of fluid. However, edema in dogs is a specific type of swelling caused by fluid accumulation in the tissues between the body’s cells. It indicates a fluid imbalance.

Either too much fluid escapes the blood vessels into the tissues, or too much fluid remains trapped in tissue without returning to the bloodstream.

Causes of Edema in Dogs

The causes of edema in dogs can vary widely, depending on the affected area. Here are some common categories:

• Cerebral Edema: Swelling in the brain due to traumatic injury, severe infections, diabetes, or electrolyte imbalances.
• Pulmonary Edema in Dogs: Fluid buildup in the lungs leading to coughing and difficulty breathing. Prompt treatment can improve outcomes. If untreated, it can be life-threatening.
• Abdominal Edema (Ascites): Caused by liver failure, heart failure, or kidney failure, leading to fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity (swollen belly).
• Localized Edema: Often a result of trauma, such as a laceration after an altercation with an animal or a swollen incision after surgery.
• Peripheral Edema: Commonly affects the lower legs, ankles, or paws. Often called leg edema in dogs. Occurs due to conditions like vasculitis, drainage blockages, or low levels of albumin.
• Facial Edema in Dogs: Often linked to allergic reactions (to things like foods, medications, or insect bites), tooth root infections, or tumors.
• Corneal Edema in Dogs: Swelling in the cornea causing cloudiness or vision issues.
• Peripheral Edema: One of the more common forms of edema, this swelling occurs in the lower legs, ankles, or paws of dogs. This can happen for several reasons, including vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), a blockage of the drainage system, and a lower level of an essential body protein called albumin. [1]

In addition, some cancers like lymphoma and mast cell tumors, can trigger edema anywhere in a dog’s body by disrupting the normal fluid drainage in the region of the cancer. [2]

Signs of Edema in Dogs

Some forms of swelling are pretty obvious, like puffiness in the face after a bee sting. However, not every form of edema is immediately visible to the naked eye. 

For example, cases of pulmonary edema in the lungs or cerebral edema in the brain may be more challenging to spot. In these cases, we look for more vague signs suggesting internal edema may be present.

The sooner you can recognize signs of edema in dogs, the sooner you can get your pet the care they need. So here’s a guide to key signs to watch out for, and what they can mean.

• Visible swelling: First and foremost, an essential sign of edema in dogs is the swelling itself. This can appear as obvious puffiness in areas like the face, legs, or belly. Facial swelling is common when there has been trauma, tooth root infections, allergic reactions, and even cancerous tumors.
• Change in appetite: This could be anything from a decrease in the total amount of food eaten to a change in the eating pattern, also known as dysrexia.
• Change in energy level: Dogs may seem tired, not interested in normal daily activities, or less playful.
• Weight gain: Some dogs with edema gain a significant amount of weight rapidly with no change in appetite.
• Pain: Dogs with edema may show unexplained whining, restlessness, and trouble lying down or sleeping.
• Seizures: These can be most closely associated with edema of the brain tissue in dogs. Other signs of cerebral edema in dogs include disorientation and other neurological changes.
• Trouble breathing: Coughing and difficulty breathing could indicate pulmonary edema in dogs (swelling in the lungs/airways). These signs could be life-threatening and require immediate attention.

Edema in Dogs Diagnosis

Remember, edema in dogs is a sign of an underlying disease. Your veterinarian’s first priority will be to confirm if your dog has edema and where. Then, they’ll investigate the underlying cause. Here’s how that typically works

History and Physical Exam: Your vet will ask detailed questions about your dog’s physical symptoms and when you first noticed them. They’ll also ask about any recent injuries, medications your dog takes, previous diseases, and changes in behavior.

Lab Work: If your vet suspects edema, they typically recommend further diagnostic testing. Blood and urine tests can help identify infections, inflammation, or organ dysfunction.

Imaging: Your vet may also recommend imaging to get a clearer picture of potential edema in dogs. X-rays and ultrasounds can detect fluid accumulation in areas like the lungs or abdomen. Advanced imaging like CT or MRI may be needed for conditions like cerebral edema.

How to Treat Edema in Dogs

When veterinarians diagnose edema in dogs, there are three main goals for treatment:

• Identify and treat the underlying cause
• Remove the fluid to resolve the clinical signs
• Restore fluid balance in the body

Understanding the underlying cause of edema in dogs plays a big role in effective treatment. Depending on that cause, your veterinarian may hose one or more of the following treatments:

• Diuretics: Medications to remove fluid in cases like pulmonary edema
• Manual Removal: Fluid may be drained via needle for abdominal edema
• Anti-inflammatories and antibiotics: Used for infections or inflammatory causes of edema

Long-term management relies on some of the above strategies but may also require dietary changes, nutritional supplements, or surgical corrections in some cases of organ failure.

Dog Edema Cost and Prognosis

The cost and prognosis for edema in dogs vary widely based on the underlying cause and severity. For instance, the survival rate for pulmonary edema in dogs improves significantly with early intervention. Chronic conditions like heart or kidney disease may require ongoing management.

How to Help a Dog with Edema

It’s important to note that even if your dog’s edema resolves, that doesn’t mean your worries are over. Removing the fluid is typically just part of the treatment plan for whatever caused the edema in the first place.

Helping a dog with edema involves both veterinary treatment and home care. Many dogs with edema have significant underlying diseases that require lifelong therapy. And even minor cases of swelling, such as bee stings, require follow-up care.

To ensure the best outcome for your pet, keep these tips in mind.

Follow your vet’s treatment plan and recommendations – Administer medications as prescribed and maintain regular follow-ups to help manage any underlying causes of edema.

Monitor your dog closely – Watch for recurrence of swelling, trouble breathing, or other concerning signs. Alert your veterinary team as quickly as possible if you notice any signs that your dog’s edema has returned.

Feed your dog a vet-recommended diet – If your vet recommends specific dietary adjustments to help support your pet’s recovery, be sure to incorporate them. Diet can play an important part in helping prevent recurrence.

Keep your dog comfortable – Create a comfortable resting area for your dog and minimize any stress that could impact their health or wellness.

Edema in dogs can be a challenging condition for both pets and their owners. By understanding the signs, causes, and treatment options, you can act quickly and ensure your dog receives the best care possible.

Always consult your veterinarian if you notice any signs of edema, as early intervention is key to a better prognosis and your dog’s overall health.

References

1. Whelchel, Bradley D et al. “Retrospective evaluation of the etiology and clinical characteristics of peripheral edema in dogs.” Journal of veterinary internal medicine vol. 37,5 (2023): 1725-1737. doi:10.1111/jvim.16815
2. Kim, Sangho, and Arata Matsuyama. “Canine mast cell tumors: When to worry about aggressive behavior pre-surgically.” The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne vol. 63,12 (2022): 1261-1263.