Peritonitis in Dogs
Key takeaways
Peritonitis in dogs describes inflammation of the abdominal lining known as the peritoneum.
- Peritonitis may be due to contamination of the abdomen by surgical incision infection, sepsis, viral or fungal infection, penetrating wounds, and organ rupture
- Some cases have no identifiable cause
- Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, abdominal enlargement and pain, poor appetite, and collapse
- Diagnosis involves physical examination, blood work, sampling abdominal fluid, and diagnostic imaging
- Treatment depends on the underlying mechanism but includes fluid therapy, antibiotics, pain relief, anti-nausea medication and surgery
- Prognosis is guarded, regardless of cause, with a mortality rate of up to 50%
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A closer look: Peritonitis in Dogs
Peritonitis is a serious condition, with perforation of the gastrointestinal tract being one of the most common causes in dogs. Dogs usually present with sudden onset disease and require extensive medical and surgical treatment. Peritonitis carries a guarded prognosis and is often fatal. Dogs with suspected peritonitis require emergency treatment.
Risk factors
Risk factors include recent abdominal surgery, long-term use of certain medications, ingestion of foreign bodies that lead to gastrointestinal obstruction in young dogs and gastrointestinal tumors in older dogs.
Dogs with peritonitis often have symptoms of the disease process causing the peritonitis. For example, a history of straining to urinate is expected in a dog with peritonitis due to a bladder rupture.
Possible causes
Peritonitis occurs as a result of different disease processes. In general, disruption to blood supply or infection and/or rupture of organs within the abdominal cavity have the potential to lead to peritonitis.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of peritonitis are sometimes mild and progress gradually (chronic), but most often are sudden in onset (acute) and severe.
Testing and diagnosis
Diagnosis involves:
- Physical examination
- Blood work
- Urinalysis
- Abdominal fluid sampling
- Abdominal ultrasound
- X-rays
- CT scan
- Exploratory surgery
Steps to Recovery
Treatment options include:
- Fluid therapy
- Correction of electrolyte abnormalities
- Antibiotics
- Anti-nausea medication
- Pain relief
- Surgery
Peritonitis is a serious condition which is often fatal. Dogs with peritonitis require immediate vet evaluation and treatment to stabilize and address the underlying medical cause.
Prevention
Prevention includes:
- Prevent foreign object ingestion
- Spay female dogs at risk of pyometra
- Keeping dogs leashed and/or supervised when outside
- Appropriate home-care after abdominal surgery
Is Peritonitis in Dogs common?
Peritonitis is an uncommon, yet serious condition in dogs.
Typical Treatment
- Fluid therapy
- Correction of electrolyte abnormalities
- Antibiotics
- Anti-nausea medication
- Pain relief
- Surgery
