Edema is the accumulation of fluid in abnormal cavities without any signs of inflammation and pain. Here it is described as related to medicine field. I hope it will be a brief but useful document to help the students. azeemkips@yahoo.com

1. Edema
VETERINARY MEDICINE (AZEEM IQBAL)
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY & ANIMAL SCIENCES, JHANG

2. Edema
 Edema is abnormal accumulation of fluid in body cavities or interstitial
spaces where connective tissue is loose.
 The edematous swelling is painless, soft, pits on pressure and tends to
gravitate at the dependent body parts.

3. Etiology/Pathogenesis
 1. Increased hydrostatic pressure: In this case edema occurs due to
generalized or localized congestion and hypertension of blood within
venous circulation at capillary level.
 2. Decreased plasma colloid osmotic pressure: In this case edema occurs
due to decreased level of plasma protein i.e <5mg/100ml of blood. Plasma
colloid osmotic pressure decreases due to parasitism, chronic hepatitis,
chronic starvation or malnutrition
 3. Obstruction of lymphatics: In this case edema occurs due to
lymphangitis, lymphadenitis or lymphosarcoma.
 4. Small vessel endothelial damage: In this case edema occurs due to Local
release of vasoactive amines, toxins damage or hypoxic demage.

4. Clinical findings
 Edematous swelling is cool, soft, painless, and pits on pressure but shows
no signs of acute inflammation.
 Anasarca: Anasarca is accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous tissues of
inter-mandibular space, brisket, thorax and ventral abdomen.
 Ascites: Ascites is accumulation of fluid in peritoneal cavity.
 Hydrothorax: Hydrothorax is accumulation of fluid in pleural cavity.
 Edema may cause respiratory problems, nervous derangement or diarrhea
depending upon its location.

5. Clinical Pathology
 Edematous fluid is transudate, clear, straw color, has low specific gravity,
does not clot and contains no inflammatory cells.
 But some times fluid may contain high protein contents, clots and contains
blood if it is due to small vessel demage.
 Lab tests for nephritis, hepatitis, peritonitis and CHF are required.

6. Differential diagnosis
 1. Urolithiasis: Sub-cutaneous accumulation of urine, uriniferous smell from
breath, BUN, anuria and dysuria
 2. Peritonitis: Presence of inflammatory cells, causative bacteria, exudate
and signs of toxemia.
 3. Emphysema: Swelling is puffy type. It crackles under pressure.

7. Treatment
 1. Specific treatment: Antibiotics, anthelminthic, cardiotonics
 2. Restriction of water and intake of salt specially Na
 3. Frusemide (Lasix) @ 2-3ml/SA and 25-30ml/LA, IM. Frusemide is diuretic
 4. Antihistaminic: mepyramine, promethazine or corticosteroids
 5. Plasma expander (6% Gelatin or dextrin)
 6. Aspiration of edematous fluid using a wide bore needle
 7. Vit. B complex, mineral complex
 8. Diuretic mixture LA: Magnesium sulphate 200-300g, sodium citras 15-
20g, potassium nitras 15-20g, ammonium chloride 15-20g and Water (Q.S)