Build up of fluid in pericardium (bulldog)

[SunshineisSorry]

My SIL phoned me last night, her bulldog 3yo was rushed to the vets this week with swelling in the stomach, turned out dog had fluid build up generally, but worryingly in the pericardium. All bloods back normal apart from elevated white blood count but dog has long term skin infection so this explains that. Ultrasound showed fluid in pericardium, but no other abnormalities detected in heart.

Have been given guarded prognosis and told possibly a tumour, but no evidence seen. Basically been told that they can't see a reason for it happening and that it may happen again, if it does, its not good but it may never happen again.

What i have managed to read talks only about the fluid build up in the heart, not generalise. I wonder if this could have been a result of long term skin infection?? Its a rescue dog and BIL/SIL spent hundreds on treatments etc but its taking AGES to sort out as the poor dog was in a bad way when they got her.

Anyone have any experience of this (Vets?) I used to be a vet nurse but never came across it and im rusty.

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Has the dog been to see a specialist cardiologist? It would be pretty unlikely that the fluid has been as a result of the skin condition, unless perhaps the valves of the heart are affected by infection that has spread, but they would normally see that on ultrasound, and even then a pericardial effusion would be rare, though abdomen distension from fluid more likely. Presume they have drained the pericardial effusion now and are getting this analysed for information that may help pinpoint a diagnosis?

Hope things go well, but as the vet has already said the outlook is guarded at best.

Thanks beautiful girls - they have drained it yes, i think yesterday and i think she has had to go for another ultrasound today to see if it is re filling.
Apparently the heart was normal other than the fluid build up, valves were all OK SIL asked.

Is this a common bulldog problem?

They have kept the aspirate i think, as they were told it was pretty much a wait and see whether it happens again or not situation, with it happening again being an indicator of a poor prognosis. I did sort of agree with that, but having read up that they can detect cancers by analysising the fluid and your comment i might suggest to them that they have it analysed. Im just thinking that if there is little tha can be done anyway, harsh as it sounds, a bit pointless in spending even more money as this has already cost them £700 and rising - they don't mind paying, of course, but if the outcome is to be a sad one anyway? Would you advise to do the analysis or hold back and see if it recurs?

Not a great prognosis then? :( i worried as much. BIL will be devestated, they have only the dog a year, spent best part of a grand on its skin condition and treat her like a third child - its not about the money but just an indication of how much they care for her :(

Not seen a cardiologist yet though - would a referral be a good route to suggest? I might talk to my old boss as he "specialises" in cardiology - he might be prepared to take her for a second opinion.

I would suggest the referral yes as often a specialist will be able to pinpoint the problem even though the first opinion vet has not managed to determine. From there there is a better chance of the most appropriate treatment being given to manage the problem and keep the dog as well as possible under the circumstances.

Personally I would suggest the referral if the fluid is coming back, but allow the specialist to get a fresh sample analysed at that time. It may be costly however so they need to be aware with a complete investigation being done.

Thanks, i will pass on this advice x