Do dogs end up with peritonitis? Diagnosis and surgical treatment of septic peritonitis in dogs and cats. Postoperative dog care video

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum that occurs when an infection (microbes, viruses, fungi) spreads through the bloodstream or when a pathological process passes from the abdominal organs.
As a primary disease, peritonitis is very rare.
It proceeds acutely and chronically.

Acute peritonitis develops on the basis of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (perforation of the wall by foreign bodies, rupture of the stomach, perforated ulcer), uterus (perforation of the wall with pyometra, placental necrosis, postpartum sepsis), urinary and gall bladders (perforation, rupture of the wall), after laparocentesis and laparotomy with insufficient asepsis

Chronic peritonitis may persist after an acute process, or it may occur immediately as a chronic one, which happens, for example, with tuberculosis or streptotrichosis May have a limited local course (adhesive peritonitis), for example, with the formation of adhesions after surgery, with violation of intestinal sutures, small perforations of the wall intestines

ETIOLOGY:
- intestinal perforation;
- surgical interventions for neurological diseases of patients, in parallel with this treated with dexamethasone;
- combination: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory + glucocorticoids RO;
- neoplasm;
- adrenocortical adenoma;
- the use of anti-inflammatory drugs;
- peritoneal surgery with infectious complications;
- torsion and incarceration of the intestines;
- penetrating wounds of the abdomen;
- intestinal biopsy;

PATHOGENESIS: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cause inhibition of cytoprotective prostaglandins, which affects the permeability of the intestines and depresses their effect on the lymphoid tissue.
FEATURES: The gastrointestinal tract is responsible for approximately 60% of cases of peritonitis in dogs.

Symptoms. Inflammation of the peritoneum is roughly indicated by an increase in the trunk, strenuous walking, a sudden deterioration in the condition in diseases of the abdominal organs.
Acute peritonitis is a generalized disease that occurs with high fever and very high leukocytosis (100 thousand cells or more per 1 mm3). The abdomen is tucked up, tense and painful. Urination and defecation are disturbed, often absent. Sometimes there are vomiting, tenesmus, rapid breathing, superficial, chest type. Sunken eyes, red mucous membranes, capillary filling rate over 2 s. The pulse is rapid, small filling, up to threadlike. The liquid aspirated during laparocentesis is cloudy, serous, purulent or bloody, containing fibrin flakes.
In chronic peritonitis, all of the above signs can not be detected. The animal is lethargic, drowsy, the abdomen is somewhat enlarged, sagging. Therefore, chronic peritonitis is often diagnosed only during laparotomy (clouding of the peritoneum, thickening, raids, pinpoint bleeding).
But the blood status is indicative for both courses of peritonitis (accelerated ESR, leukocytosis with a hyperregenerative shift of the nucleus to the left until the appearance of young and young cells).

Clinic:
depression, anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain and signs of sepsis. Some animals have melena. With the help of abdominal radiography, the presence of free liquid or gas is ascertained.
With paracentesis, different bacterial species are found in the resulting fluid. There is a connection between the use (according to the anamnesis) of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the rapid, sudden onset and development of the disease.

General clinic:
1. Agalaxia, lack of milk secretion;
2. Adhesions in the area of ​​the uterus, ovaries and / or cervix;
3. Anorexia (lack of appetite, refusal to eat);
4. Ascites, accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity;
5. Paleness of visible mucous membranes;
6. Pain with deep palpation of the abdomen;
7. Tousled wool;
8. Generalized weakness;
9. Physical inactivity;
10. Hypothermia;
11. Dehydration;
12. Diarrhea, diarrhoea;
13. Diarrhea: mucous;
14. Distension of the abdomen;
15. Growth retardation;
16. Intra-abdominal masses;
17. Colic, abdominal pain;
18. Congestion of the oral mucosa, erythema, redness, hyperemia;
19. Xerostomia, dry mouth;
20. Lymphadenopathy;
21. Fever, pathological hyperthermia;
22. Inability to get up;
23. Unusual or offensive smell of feces;
24. Swelling of the skin;
25. Palpation: "big intestine";
26. Decreased borborygmas, gurgling sounds;
27. Reduced volume of feces, lack of defecation, constipation;
28. Weight loss, cachexia, general exhaustion;
29. Vomiting, regurgitation, emesis;
30. Weak, thready pulse;
31. Tachycardia, increased heart rate;
32. Dark color of feces;
33. Increased frequency of respiratory movements, polypnea, tachypnea, hyperpnea;
34. Oppression (depression, lethargy);
35. Lengthening of capillary time;
36. Cold skin, ears, limbs;

Diagnosis: based on:
- clinical picture;
- proof of exudative ascites;
- hematology: leukocytosis;

Differentiate peritonitis from ascites (blood status, laparocentesis).

Treatment. Principles.
Eliminate the underlying disease. If a lot of pus accumulates in the peritoneal cavity. then it is removed by draining with a gauze strip.

Technique of drainage of the peritoneal cavity.
Local anesthesia, position of the animal on its side, paramedian perforation of the abdominal wall with a length of 2-3 cm.
Through the perforation, a sterile banded gauze tourniquet 4 m long is introduced into the peritoneal cavity.
When pushing through the gauze, it is impregnated with a solution of antibiotics. The purpose of this procedure is to remove the accumulated pus. In this regard, the gauze tourniquet is pulled out daily for 4 days in parts (1 m each) from the wound along with pus.
Before closing the wound, it is washed as deeply as possible with saline solution with antibiotics. If there is a need to drain the peritoneal cavity after laparotomy, then the gauze tourniquet is passed through the caudal angle of the surgical wound.
However, these activities are rarely needed.
Administration of antibiotics in combination with glucocorticoids is usually sufficient. In some cases, in case of circulatory disorders, intravenous drip infusions of electrolytes, plasma-substituting solutions, cardiac glycosides, etc. are carried out.

TREATMENT: REGIMENS AND DOSES
Initial stabilization: infusion therapy +:
- Ampicillin 20 mg/kg/iv;
Immediately after recovery of hypervolemia, use:
- Gentamicin (Gentamicin) 2.2 mg / kg / 8 hours intravenously / 3-5 days;
Rinse the abdominal cavity with warm sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) and put in a drain for 5-7 days.
Continue antimicrobial therapy for 2-3 days after clinical recovery and removal of drainage.
The preferred combination for the postoperative period to prevent postoperative complications and remission of abscesses is as follows:
- Ampicillin 20 mg/kg/6-8 hours IV, per os: to act on Gr+ organisms;
- Gentamicin (Gentamicin) 2.2 mg / kg / 8 hours intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly: to act on Gr-organisms;
- Metronidazole (Metronidazole) 20-65 mg / kg / 2 times a day / os to affect the anaerobic population (incl. Bacteroides);

Another successful combination:
- Clindamycin: 5-15 mg/kg intravenously, intramuscularly, per os / 8-12 hours / 5-7 days;
- Gentamicin (Gentamicin): 2.2-3 mg / 8-12 hours intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly for 3-5 days;
- cephalosporins of the 1st generation: 22-35 mg / kg / 12 hours / intravenously, intramuscularly / 3-5 days;
+ - Gentamicin (Gentamicin): 2.2-3 mg / kg / 8-12 hours / 3-5 days intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly; but they do not affect the anaerobic spectrum.
It would be good to do a culture of the abdominal fluid 3-5 days after the operation and, based on the antibiogram, continue the prevention of the postoperative period.

DEVELOPMENT: often complicated to hypoproteinemia.

FORECAST: always cautious: mortality within 20-48%.
Mortality associated with colon perforation or
anti-inflammatories or neurosurgery can reach 100%.
If corticoid therapy is needed after surgery, it should be limited to 2-3 days.

AVOID THE USE OF NON-STEROID ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICINES AND ESPECIALLY THEIR COMBINATION WITH GLUCOCORTICOIDS AT ANY COST!

Despite the development of modern pharmaceutical science and the emergence of powerful antibiotics, not all diseases can be treated. Especially in advanced cases. An example of this is peritonitis in dogs. This disease does not just happen, as it is very specific, but it poses a huge danger to the health and life of your pet.

This is the name of inflammation of the peritoneum - thin sheets of serous tissue that wrap the inside of the abdominal cavity. The pathology is severe, accompanied by severe fever, pain reaction and shock. As a rule, exudate accumulates in the abdominal cavity. A particularly serious condition occurs if it is pus or fibrin. Note that peritonitis as a primary disease is so rare that these cases can generally be ignored. In 99% of cases, inflammation of the peritoneum is a consequence of other, serious diseases. Very rarely it is chronic, but more often it occurs in an acute form.

What causes it?

Often peritonitis is manifested due to severe mechanical injuries. For example, if the dog plays intensively after dense feeding: either may develop, or inflammation of the peritoneum. The latter appears if the loop of the intestine does not just twist, but bursts due to the resulting pressure. If this happens, then peritonitis of the abdominal cavity in dogs develops quickly. Note that in this case, it is required to deliver the dog to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible, since otherwise a lethal outcome is almost guaranteed.

Read also: Panaritium - inflammation of the claw bed in dogs and cats

Roughly the same can be said about bathing dogs with a "full belly". In these cases, the risk of volvulus and rupture of the intestines is extremely high. So you can once again warn breeders so that they do not take their pets out immediately after feeding.

The real "hit" is inflammation of the peritoneum after surgery. And do not rush to blame the surgeon who performed the surgery: it is quite possible that the owner himself did not follow the recommendations of the veterinarian and let his pet “unwind” on the street. As a natural result - torn sutures and abundant seeding of the microflora of the abdominal cavity. Such reasons are very common in veterinary practice. Occasionally, localized, localized peritonitis may form. This happens in the case of adhesions that appear as a result of unsuccessful surgical interventions or severe injuries to the internal organs that the dog managed to endure “on its feet”.

A huge danger is acute infectious diseases, accompanied by severe intoxication and sepsis. In this case, viral peritonitis in dogs is highly likely. The fact is that the walls of the intestine are quickly perforated (the smallest, but numerous holes are formed), after which a huge amount of intestinal microflora enters the cavity.

Read also: Inflammation of the pancreas in dogs: basic information about the disease and methods of diagnosis and treatment

Signs of peritonitis

In principle, the symptoms are quite characteristic:

  • First, the dog is very tense. He shifts his paws with effort, carefully, while squealing in pain. Very often there is severe vomiting.
  • The wall of the abdomen resembles a stone, since the muscles are extremely tense. It is not possible to feel the internal organs, as the dog begins to squeal in pain and avoids palpation in every possible way.
  • The body temperature is sharply increased, but the ears and nose are unpleasantly cold.
  • The best diagnosis is to take a sample of the contents of the abdominal cavity. It is performed with a sterile needle of sufficient length. In particular, only this method will allow to determine the presence of chronic peritonitis in an animal.

Appearance is also quite characteristic: the stomach is sagging, the eyes are "extinct" and sunken, the mucous membranes are very pale, a little dry. The animal quickly refuses food, showing no interest in it at all, but the thirst remains. The coat is dull and disheveled. It is necessary to pay attention to feces: as a rule, they differ in a somewhat unusual color, they may contain impurities of pus and blood, feces often smell disgusting. If this is the case in your case, you need to show your pet to the veterinarians as soon as possible!

Important! Especially carefully you need to watch bitches after sterilization. The fact is that this is a rather complicated abdominal operation, in which the risk of complications is quite high!

The blood test is of great importance. With any peritonitis, an extremely high content of leukocytes in the test sample is noted. Of course, some of these activities can be carried out at home, but only a veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, only he will be able to correctly determine the type of peritonitis, as well as prescribe an adequate and effective treatment that will save the life and health of your pet.

Dogs bring a lot of joy and positive to the life of their owner, but like other four-legged pets, they are often prone to various diseases. One of these dangerous pathologies is peritonitis.

But how to recognize the disease and what are the reasons for its appearance? How to cure your pet and what preventive rules should be followed to avoid peritonitis?

Peritonitis in dogs is a severe inflammation of the tissues of the abdominal cavity, the root cause of which is often the defeat of the internal organs by viruses, microbes or fungi.

As a result, exudate (fluid released during inflammation) accumulates in the abdominal cavity, forming edema, causing circulatory disorders and gastrointestinal upset.

The disease is insidious in that, in the absence of timely assistance, it leads to irreversible consequences.

Important! Peritonitis is sometimes confused with dropsy (due to fluid accumulation and edema), so the animal does not receive timely assistance and dies. If the dog is urgently delivered to a veterinary clinic, then it can probably be saved.

Kinds

According to the nature of the course, experts distinguish between acute and chronic forms of the disease.

So, acute peritonitis is characterized by pronounced symptoms and in 50% of cases ends in death, while in chronic peritonitis the symptoms are more smoothed out (for example, colic occurs periodically, weight gradually decreases, elevated body temperature is observed from time to time, etc.).

In addition, peritonitis is of the following types:

  1. General- characterized by severe inflammation of the abdominal part and an extremely serious condition of the animal.
  2. Local (local)- a small area of ​​the peritoneum is inflamed and the dog feels more or less normal. However, in the absence of timely assistance, local peritonitis may develop into a general one.

According to experts, the local form is quite acceptable after various surgical interventions on the abdominal organs, as well as in pathologies such as pancreatitis, endometritis, etc.

Reasons for the appearance

Peritonitis, in 99% of cases, is a secondary disease (against the background of other severe pathologies). So, among the frequent reasons, the following factors are distinguished:

Attention! In the case of existing infectious diseases in acute form, the risk of viral peritonitis increases.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease are often non-specific and characteristic of most infectious pathologies, for example:

  • lethargy and drowsiness;
  • loss of appetite, up to refusal of food;
  • increased thirst;
  • frequent urination;
  • increased body temperature (nose and ears are cool to the touch);
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • sudden weight loss;
  • pain when touching the abdomen (the dog whines);
  • rapid breathing;
  • the animal tries to lie down on a cold surface and expresses anxiety, whines;
  • pressure drop below normal (depending on a particular breed, normal indicators will be different);
  • dull or ruffled coat;
  • pallor of the mucous membrane of the eyes and mouth;
  • there is a noticeable swelling in the abdomen (due to accumulated fluid);
  • the pet's gait changes (he rearranges his paws with great difficulty and tries to move carefully to avoid pain).

Note! The chronic form of the disease is also determined by the above signs, however, the symptoms are less pronounced, and some of them may be completely absent.

Diagnostics

After examining the dog and listening to the owner's complaints, the veterinarian prescribes the following diagnostic tests:

  1. Complete blood count (and in some cases biochemical, if time permits). An elevated white blood cell count will only confirm the diagnosis.
  2. Abdominal ultrasound.
  3. X-ray of the inflamed area.
  4. A sample of fluid from the abdominal cavity (performed using a sterilized needle).

Based on the results of the research, the specialist will determine the course of treatment for the animal.

Forecast

With a timely visit to the doctor (immediately after the detection of alarming symptoms), the prognosis in most cases is favorable.

In case of delay and belated help, it is not always possible to save the pet. In case of existing complications (for example, with adhesions of blood vessels or tissues), a second operation will be required.

Other complications include disruption of the internal organs and sepsis (the process of decomposition and decay of tissues). Acute peritonitis, as a rule, lasts from several hours to 10-15 days and leads to the death of a pet (in the absence of prompt measures).

Treatment

In most cases, specialists resort to surgical intervention (especially in the presence of open wounds and ruptures of internal organs). The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The specialist eliminates inflammation and stitches the animal.

Antibiotics

  • Tylosin;
  • Klamoksil;
  • Amoxicillin for animals;
  • Amoxilong etc.

Painkillers are also prescribed, for example, Ketanov, Rimadil, etc. As fortifying drugs in the postoperative period, Imunofan, Katozal, Gamavit, etc. are prescribed.

Important! Self-medication and uncontrolled intake of various drugs can lead to the death of the animal. Therapy is carried out only under the supervision of a specialist.

In pregnant and lactating

In the case of pregnancy and breastfeeding, the general symptoms correspond to the above signs, but the abdomen may swell to a greater extent.

If peritonitis is suspected, a pregnant dog must be urgently taken to a veterinary clinic, where doctors will decide on the preservation of offspring (depending on the condition of the animal).

In the case of breastfeeding, the dog should also be shown to the veterinarian and no more puppies should be allowed near it (until complete recovery).

Puppies

Breed features

Regardless of the breed, the disease proceeds according to a more or less similar scenario (i.e., all breeds without exception fall into the risk group).

However, those dogs that are kept in poor sanitary conditions (in the absence of proper hygiene, in contact with sick animals, including when touching their feces) are more susceptible to viral peritonitis.

Also, pathology is often found in dogs attending various exhibitions or living in shelters, kennels.

Prevention of viral diseases

Diseases can be avoided if you pay enough attention to your pet. To do this, you must follow a number of simple preventive rules, for example:

  1. Adhere to a proper diet (avoid overeating, a minimum of fat and salt in food, a complete rejection of sweets and especially chocolate).
  2. Observe the correct mode of rest and physical activity, without overworking the pet. After eating, physical activity is completely contraindicated.
  3. Timely treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and prevent helminthiasis.
  4. Vaccinate (according to the vaccination schedule).
  5. If possible, avoid contact with stray animals.

Conclusion

Peritonitis is a serious disease that, if not promptly treated, often leads to the death of the animal.

Therefore, if characteristic symptoms are detected, it is recommended to take the dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible (self-medication is strictly contraindicated). The doctor will conduct an appropriate diagnosis and take the necessary measures. The most important thing in this situation is the speed of reaction.

Remember: the sooner your four-legged friend receives medical attention, the higher his chances of recovery and return to a full life. Every second is important, delay leads to irreversible consequences.

In contact with

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum in dogs, which is located in the abdominal cavity and surrounds other internal organs. This disease can have several forms (acute, chronic, putrefactive, purulent, fibrinous, serous, hemorrhagic, etc.). As a rule, this inflammation is transmitted from other internal organs.

The reasons

There are several reasons for the appearance and development of peritonitis.

Signs of peritonitis are clear enough so that they are easy to identify.

  1. The dog moves with difficulty, barely rearranging its paws. The muscles of the animal are very tense, any movement requires effort from the pet.
  2. The wall of the abdomen is very hard. The pet reacts to palpation and attempts to feel the organs with a squeal, and sometimes with aggression.
  3. The body temperature is very high, but the nose and ears remain cold.
  4. Severe vomiting is observed, sometimes it has a red or pink color, indicating blood impurities.

Treatment

If you have any suspicions about the presence of peritonitis in your pet, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. A slight delay in visiting a doctor can cost a pet a life, while timely assistance greatly increases the dog's chances of recovery.

Unfortunately, therapeutic treatment is not always effective, in severe cases (with open injuries of the abdominal cavity as a result of injuries, biting or rupture of a uterine abscess), the dog needs surgical intervention.

If you decide to resort to conservative treatment, you need to take the following measures:

  1. Conduct a course of antibiotics and sulfonamides.
  2. Conduct physiotherapy for the dog (infrarug, Minin lamp, solux) and make compresses on the stomach for the pet.
  3. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to prevent and treat all diseases and inflammations of the dog's gastrointestinal tract in time.

Peritonitis is a serious disease of the gastrointestinal tract, which is characterized by an acute form of the course. If you do not provide the dog with the necessary treatment, the pet may die!

Despite the fact that modern veterinary pharmaceuticals have been developing very actively in recent years, and more and more new broad-spectrum antibiotics appear on the domestic market every year, not all diseases can be cured by these medications. This is especially true for diseases that are in extremely neglected states. One of these pathologies veterinarians include peritonitis.

This disease occurs for a reason, it is considered specific and brings danger not only to the health of the pet, but also to his life.

Etymology of the disease

Peritonitis is commonly referred to as inflammation of the peritoneum, or rather thin sheets of serous tissue lining the surface of the abdominal cavity. The disease is very severe. It is accompanied by a strong increase in body temperature, shock and pain. Peritonitis occurs due to the accumulation of exudate. This disease is severe if fibrin or pus accumulates instead of exudate.

In the form of a primary form, the disease manifests itself extremely rarely, such cases are not even considered as a single pathology. For the most part, inflammation of the peritoneum is considered as a consequence of other serious diseases. Peritonitis can take a chronic form, but mostly the disease occurs in acute form.

Causes of the disease

Peritonitis is a consequence of received pet mechanical injuries. If a well-fed pet begins to play, then he may develop a volvulus of the intestines, or inflammation of the peritoneum. Inflammation, in turn, occurs due to the twisting of the intestinal loop and its subsequent bursting as a result of the pressure exerted on it.

This pathology has the following symptoms:

  • The dog is tense.
  • Movement in space occurs with a noticeable effort.
  • There is profuse vomiting.
  • On palpation, the wall of the abdomen is hard, like a stone (this is due to muscle tension).
  • The animal does not feel the internal organs due to the fact that it avoids examination due to severe pain.
  • The body temperature rises, but the pet's nose and ears remain cold.

Diagnosis of the disease

Perhaps the best diagnosis is to take a sample of the contents in the abdominal cavity. A similar action is performed using a sterile long needle. This method, in particular, helps to determine the presence of chronic peritonitis in a dog.

When stating the diagnosis, special attention should be paid to the state of appearance, which is characterized by:

  • Sagging belly.
  • Dull and sunken eyes.
  • Paleness and dryness of the mucous membranes.

The animal completely refuses food, showing absolutely no interest in it. His coat becomes dull in color.

During the examination, the veterinarian pays attention to the feces of a sick animal, in which blood and pus can be observed: the feces have an extremely unpleasant odor.

When a dog is admitted to a veterinary clinic, specialists take a urine and blood test, and a blood test is very important. With peritonitis, there will be an increased content of leukocytes in the sample studied in the laboratory. An important examination will be an x-ray and ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.

Treatment

Peritonitis is considered a very serious disease, therefore, if obvious signs of illness are found in a pet, the owner will immediately have to take him to the veterinary clinic. The method of treating pathology is selected depending on the cause of the disease that caused the inflammatory process in the peritoneum.

As the first treatment, the specialist for the animal will suggest starvation diet, during fasting, the veterinarian will pump out all the fluid that caused inflammation from the dog's abdominal cavity.

Peritoneal wounds caused by endometritis, bites, uterine ruptures in bitches require surgical intervention. Perforation of the intestine or stomach requires laparotomy.

In the course of treatment, medications such as:

  1. Sulfonamides (Sulf-480, Streptocid, Norsulfazol)
  2. Antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Gentamicin)
  3. Novocaine blockade of the celiac nerves.

Dogs are shown physiotherapy (sollux, Minin's lamp, infrared), the owners should do compresses on the stomach.

Disease prevention

To exclude peritonitis, the owners should contact the veterinary clinic in time for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, since if the necessary and timely assistance is not provided, the pet may die.

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