Peritonitis in dogs: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The inflammatory process that occurs in the peritoneum of a dog has received the medical name "peritonitis in dogs." Pathology is most often transmitted from the affected internal organs. The disease is quite serious, threatens the pet's he alth with severe complications and even death. Breeders mark the body temperature of a pet, reaching the limit marks. Also, the animal may experience pain shock, due to which it loses consciousness. During the examination, the doctor often detects fluid in the abdominal cavity of various etiologies. If the exudate has a fibrinous or purulent character, then an acute course of the disease is set, which is the most dangerous.

Stages of disease

A he althy animal cannot develop peritonitis from scratch. The reasons may be different and the process, depending on them, takes an acute or chronic course.

Chronicpathology is diagnosed in a dog against the background of tuberculosis. Also, such a course of the disease often passes from the acute stage. According to veterinarians, it is very difficult to diagnose such a problem, due to the fact that it does not have severe symptoms.

Acute peritonitis occurs against the background of damage to the digestive system, bladder, uterus or ovaries. The disease is also diagnosed with inflammation of the gallbladder and ducts.

Peritonitis: Causes

Factors provoking the start of the pathological process, veterinarians emit a large number. However, the main ones are not so many:

1. Mechanical damage to the abdominal organs, which leads to an inflammatory process.
2. Complications after surgery. This reason is the most common. But don't always blame the doctor. Often, dog breeders themselves do not adhere to the rules for caring for and rehabilitating a pet after an intervention, so microorganisms penetrate into the peritoneum when the sutures break, causing acute inflammation.
3. Perforation of the intestinal tract or the walls of the stomach. A similar pathology occurs with multiple helminthic invasions, when the breeder starts the problem. Parasites literally break through the walls of internal organs and fill the entire abdominal cavity.
4. Infectious diseases. Peritonitis in dogs, according to clinical case studies, often occurs against the background of sepsis and general intoxication of the body.

In addition to the above reasons, to the occurrencepathology can lead to illiterate surgical intervention, when the doctor does not follow the rules of disinfection. Therefore, it is so important to contact only specialized veterinary clinics.

Symptoms of a terrible disease

Any specialist and experienced breeder knows that the clinical picture of inflammation is so vivid that it is almost impossible not to notice the signs. The dog does not eat and is lethargic, while the pet gently gets up and lies down. His gait changes and the animal is tense all the time, due to the fact that the dog is constantly in acute pain. He squeals with every movement and moves his limbs with great effort.

If you palpate the abdominal cavity, the hardness of the walls does not allow the specialist to assess the condition of the internal organs and establish an accurate diagnosis. In addition, the animal, when trying to touch the stomach, becomes nervous and aggressive.

When examining a pet by a veterinarian, it is imperative to find out what body temperature the dog has. The breeder does not need to take measurements at home, the doctor will do everything on his own. With the development of acute peritonitis, the indicators rise to critical levels, which is 40 degrees or more. However, the paw pads, ears and nose remain cold. If the breeder has found such signs in his pet, he must immediately show the dog to a specialist. Delay is fatal.

The acute course of the disease entails changes in the nature of excrement. Natural secretions acquire a putrid odor and an incomprehensiblecolor. The abdomen sags, the pet shows signs of dehydration and pale mucous membranes.

What to pay attention to the breeder

Any dog owner should know the distinguishing signs of the disease in order to take timely action and prevent serious consequences. Veterinarians identify the following signs of an acute illness:

• The dog is not eating and is lethargic.
• Sudden exhaustion occurs.
• There is weakness.
• Breathing becomes faster.
• Blood pressure decreases.
• Dog vomits bile.
• The temperature rises sharply.

However, experts warn that a dog with peritonitis may experience a drop in body temperature. If symptoms characteristic of the disease are present, then such a sign indicates a life-threatening illness.

Medical Details

Experts know that peritonitis is a serious disease that threatens the life of a dog. With this pathology, nerve endings are affected, concentrated in large numbers in the peritoneal region. Under the action of pathogenic microorganisms, pain impulses lead to excitation of the nervous system. As a result of constant and sharp pain, the dog is exhausted, and he may lose consciousness.

Under the action of vasospasm, blood stagnates and edema appears. The heart muscle also suffers, which does not receive the necessary substances and cannot fully perform its functions. Exudate accumulates in the peritoneum with purulentimpurities, so the abdominal cavity turns into a real focus of inflammation, where the walls detach and ulcers appear.

Outwardly similar symptoms are manifested in the form of increased thirst and immediate vomiting. The animal's immunity is weakened, so there is practically no natural resistance to the disease. But the walls of the peritoneum intensively absorb the liquid, which leads to an even greater pathological process. Therefore, it is so important to limit the consumption of food and even water during treatment. Any liquid entering the stomach causes necrosis on its walls and accumulation of ulcers, causing intestinal obstruction.

Disease forms

Peritonitis in a dog can be diagnosed in various forms. Pathology differs in the nature of the exudate and the location:

1. Local form of the disease. It begins gradually, the general condition of the pet is not reflected. But covering all new areas leads to serious problems.
2. Extensive or spilled form. Pathology is the most common. The danger lies in the complexities of treatment.
3. A putrid form. The disease is diagnosed with extensive detection of parasites, exacerbation of ulcerative processes, as a result of mechanical injuries and impaired water and electrolyte balance.
4. Fibrous form. Initially, exudate appears in the abdominal cavity in small quantities. But entering into a reaction with protein components, leads to the fusion of internal organs and their inflammation.
5. Hemorrhagic form. Diagnosed in case of failures inwork of the circulatory system. Blood enters the abdominal cavity from the affected vessels and causes a strong inflammatory process.
6. Serous form. A specialist diagnoses such a pathology when too much exudate accumulates in the abdominal cavity.

Depending on the nature and course of the disease, the veterinarian selects a treatment method.

Diagnostic measures

If the animal shows signs of illness, you should immediately contact the veterinary clinic. Any specialist knows that peritonitis in a dog develops rapidly and can quickly lead to death.

At the clinic, a specialist will collect all the necessary history. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare and tell the doctor about past illnesses, injuries and other features of the pet.

Deciphering a blood test in dogs is very important. Biochemical tests will allow the doctor to identify the causes of the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment. It is equally important to conduct exudate samples. For this, a long needle is used. In a sterile environment and the use of local anesthesia, the doctor takes part of the fluid from the abdominal cavity. Then he conducts a thorough study of it. In the absence of such an opportunity, an ultrasound of the dog's abdominal cavity is mandatory.

Treatment methods

The disease poses a great danger to the he alth and life of a pet. You can not ignore the signs of peritonitis, because any delay is fraught with changes in the pet's condition every minute.

Ifdeciphering the blood test in dogs revealed an uncomplicated course of the disease, then the animal is prescribed complete fasting. In addition, with the help of special tools, a solution is introduced into the dog's stomach, which reduces signs of intoxication. The exudate is pumped out and a course of therapy is prescribed to restore the functioning of the heart muscle.

If the disease was provoked by ruptures of internal organs, open wounds and endometriosis, then only a surgical operation is indicated. The intervention is performed under general anesthesia. During the manipulation, all foci of inflammation are removed and special sutures are applied. After that, be sure to take a course of antibiotics to exclude the addition of a secondary bacterial infection.

Additional Therapy

Regardless of the causes of peritonitis and treatment tactics, the doctor prescribes immunostimulants to the animal. Among the effective drugs are:

• “Immunophore”;
• Gamovit;
• Katozal.

An important point in the treatment of peritonitis is physiotherapy. The doctor prescribes compresses on the abdominal cavity and warming up with the help of a blue Minin lamp. However, the frequency of use and the duration of such procedures are prescribed only by a doctor, based on the tactics of treatment and the nature of the disease.

Peritonitis in dogs: prognosis

Only a timely visit to the veterinary clinic when signs of the studied disease are found in the animal can save the pet from serious consequences and even death. Prognosis for a local type of disease infavorable in most cases.

If extensive lesions are diagnosed, then doctors admit an unfavorable course of the disease and do not undertake to make accurate predictions. Everything will depend on the general he alth of the pet, its age and the time of seeking help. Therefore, it is so important not to ignore the bloated belly in a dog and immediately take it to the doctor to clarify the cause of such a symptom.

Prevention measures

To avoid the development of peritonitis, it is necessary to pay a lot of attention to the dog and surround it with care. Following a number of rules, it is quite possible to keep your pet he althy for many years. In doing so, the following rules must be observed:

• provide wholesome and fresh food;
• observe rest, hygiene procedures and walks;
• do not accustom your dog to various sweet foods, especially chocolate;
• timely deworming, also treat fleas and ticks;
• According to the vaccination schedule, vaccinate on time;
• do not self-medicate if you have gastrointestinal symptoms.

If a breeder has found suspicious signs in a pet, it is recommended to contact a certified veterinarian. Only in the conditions of the hospital can all the necessary research, therapeutic measures and laboratory tests be carried out. It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment based only on the appearance of the dog.

Self-treatment is dangerous

Four-legged andtailed pets bring a lot of joy and positive to the life of any family. But unfortunately, animals, like people, are also susceptible to the development of many diseases due to hereditary predisposition or improper care.

There are pathologies that can be cured at home. But peritonitis is one of the diseases requiring inpatient treatment. If you do not go to the veterinarian and rely on advice from the Internet or folk remedies, then the dog is more likely to die.

Conclusion

Experts warn that even with proper treatment, the prognosis is not always favorable. Therefore, it is so important to carefully monitor the he alth of the pet, regularly vaccinate against dangerous diseases, prevent the reproduction of parasites and regularly conduct preventive examinations. If the dog has undergone surgery, then the rehabilitation period is no less important than the procedure itself. Recovery depends entirely on care.