This is a dog disease in which the accumulation of fluids, organic debris, cells, infectious organisms and pus in the cavity in acute peritonitis can prove to be fatal if it’s not treated. The reasons can be quite numerous. It may be due to external injury or internal infections or diseases such as:
1 Bowel puncture from trauma
2 Rupture from disease or ingested foreign bodies
3 Escape of contaminated bowel contents into abdominal cavity
4 Infections from abdominal cavity puncture
5 After surgery
6 Damage to urinary system
7 Damage to pancreas or liver
8 Rupture or an infected uterus or prostate gland
Symptoms of Acute Peritonitis
Symptoms of Acute Peritonitis include:
1 Severe pain
2 Abdominal tenderness
3 Rigid abdominal muscles while walking
4 Stiff gait
5 Loss of appetite
6 Vomiting
7 Fever
8 Increased heart and respiratory rate
9 Symptoms of shock develop in a few hours
Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Peritonitis
This dog disease is diagnosed by signs, physical examinations, and absence of bowel sounds and evidences of fluid in the abdomen. The diagnosis can be confirmed by X-rays and laboratory tests. Identification of the cause of the peritonitis can be assisted by abdominal fluid sample withdrawn and examined microscopically. In case of presence of bacterial infection, culture and sensitivity test on the abdominal fluid may be used to determine the antibiotic which may be used to treat the disease.
Treatment of Acute Peritonitis
To repair the injury or to drain an abscess, surgery is essential if organ rupture or perforation has occurred. Antibiotics may be essential to control infection. Treatment for shock and symptomatic and supportive care, along with the use of pain relievers and intravenous feeding will be needed in certain cases.
