What is Abdominal Cavity Inflammation (Peritonitis)?
The dog’s abdominal cavity is lined by the peritoneum. This membrane lubricates the contents of the abdomen by excreting a small amount of fluid. This membrane also helps with inflammation by forming scars. When a dog has peritonitis, this membrane is highly inflamed and too much fluid builds up within the abdominal cavity.
Peritonitis is caused when a dog’s abdominal cavity becomes infected or inflamed. An increase of fluid in the peritoneum occurs and the dog exhibits symptoms of severe illness.
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Symptoms of Abdominal Cavity Inflammation (Peritonitis) in Dogs
The symptoms of dog abdominal cavity inflammation are easy to recognize. If your dog has any of the following symptoms, either one or more than one, it is important to contact your veterinarian. Symptoms include:
- Repeated vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Distended abdomen
- Pain in the abdomen
Types
There are two types of peritonitis, and both of them result in the same symptoms. Treatment may vary depending on the type. They include:
Spontaneous Peritonitis
Spontaneous peritonitis is a fluid collection in the peritoneal cavity where fungi or bacteria to cause an infection. Otherwise known as ascites, the fluid in the abdomen comes from blood vessels, organs, masses in the abdomen, or the lymphatic system. Dogs that have heart, liver, or kidney disease can suffer from spontaneous peritonitis.
Secondary Peritonitis
When another disorder causes the infection, secondary peritonitis occurs. Bacteria can spread because of an injury or inflammation in the abdomen.
Causes of Abdominal Cavity Inflammation (Peritonitis) in Dogs
Dog abdominal cavity inflammation can be serious, and if not seen by a veterinarian it can be life-threatening. Fluid builds up within the abdominal cavity, and there are specific causes for this. Causes include:
- Wound or injury of the abdomen
- Ruptured appendix
- Perforated colon
- Stomach ulcer
- Diverticulitis
- Inflamed pancreas
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
Diagnosis of Abdominal Cavity Inflammation (Peritonitis) in Dogs
If your dog is experiencing any of the above symptoms, the veterinarian will perform specific tests to check for abdominal cavity inflammation and the stage of severity. These tests will include an abdominal fluid sample along with a culture to identify the bacteria type, a blood count, a biochemical profile, an ultrasound or x-ray of the abdomen area, or any other test the veterinarian feels your dog should have.
The imaging techniques, such as a radiograph and an ultrasound, will allow the veterinarian to take a closer look at any fluid, gas, or an abscess. Once fluid in the abdomen is determined, the veterinarian may also take a sample to be analyzed. Once the diagnosis is complete, the veterinarian will determine the type of treatment the dog needs to help heal from this serious inflammation.
Treatment of Abdominal Cavity Inflammation (Peritonitis) in Dogs
The veterinarian will make the decision to treat the peritonitis either surgically or non-surgically. This depends on what has specifically caused this inflammation to occur. If the peritonitis is serious, and surgery must be performed, the veterinarian may choose to perform an exploratory surgery to seek out more of the underlying cause and to plan for the surgery itself.
Intravenous fluids
Intravenous fluids are given to restore the proper fluids in the dog’s system. Fluid and electrolytes will be given to the dog and the dog will have to be kept in the hospital for this procedure.
Dietary Changes
A low-sodium diet will be highly recommended by the veterinarian to help with fluid retention and if the dog is diagnosed with a heart disease. Nutrition can be given via feeding tube or by an injection.
Surgery
Surgery may have to be performed if the dog has a bacterial infection that has caused the peritonitis. The abdomen is flushed and “washed” with saline. Unfortunately, many dogs do not recover from this as it is a life-threatening condition.
Medications
If the peritonitis is somewhat manageable, your dog will be given the appropriate medications, such as antibiotics and medications to control any pain your pet is having. It is important to have your canine family member finish all medications given.
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Recovery of Abdominal Cavity Inflammation (Peritonitis) in Dogs
Once your dog is home and after the main treatment is over, he will have to be monitored closely. It is important to watch for any recurring symptoms and other different behaviors that may allude to illness. Your pet will more than likely be on antibiotics for quite some time.
Depending on the severity of the peritonitis, your dog can recover, but it is a very serious condition, and if not caught early and treated, it can be life-threatening. Be sure to listen to your veterinarian’s instructions on any other aftercare procedures and keep all of the follow-up appointments to stay proactive in this serious illness.
Abdominal Cavity Inflammation (Peritonitis) Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $100 - $3,000
Average Cost
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Abdominal Cavity Inflammation (Peritonitis) Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Cava-poo
Mishka
1 Year
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Lethargy, Shivering,
Was it a botched surgery or a rate complication?? My 1 ur old cavapoo was spayed & according to the vet had some hemorrhage due to having a polycistic ovary. Sent her home w antibiotic & antiinflamatory. After a day and a half she started started eating (chicken & rice) and seemed to be recovering better ea day. by day 6 shes almost herself minus her normal
Exuberant energy. Day 7 - am, I stop her from pooping inside & when we got outside she won’t move & stands still. She sloy comes inside, starts shaking a lot & mildly whimpering. That lasted for 30min until she fell asleep. By the time the vet is in 1.5hrs later she is just down but no longer shivering, & he takes the stitches off. He doesn’t think there’s a fever & recomends That if it happens again, i take her to my nearest vet so they can see it in vivo. 3 hrs later it happens again, I drive to another vet & he says her temp is 1.5 higher than normal, breathing is rapid/agitated, she’s lethargic & has a tense abdomen. Ultrasound shown some internal fluid & diagnosed possible peritonitis. Gave her a shot of another antibiotic & an analgesic, sent us home with more doses of that & wants to see her in two days.
Aug. 12, 2018
0 Recommendations
Without examining Mishka it is difficult to say what specifically happened here; spaying is a simple surgery with rare complications, issues like polycystic ovaries are an inconvenience during surgery but should lead to complications afterwards. I honestly cannot say what caused these symptoms and I don’t want to speculate without having examined Mishka or knowing more. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 12, 2018
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English Bulldog
Tina
3 Weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Abdominal Distension
My friends English Bulldog breeder most recent litter of 8 puppies are having problems. The puppies have just begun to reach age of 3 weeks old and 4 of the puppies have died. All of the living pups have diarrhea and distended abdomens. How should she go about saving the remainder of her puppies?
March 31, 2018
0 Recommendations
Normally diarrhoea and distended abdomen are indicative of parasite (worm) infection, if the puppies haven’t been wormed yet, they should be; also a sample of faeces should be checked to look for any protozoan parasites as well. Other infections (bacterial for example) may be affecting the puppies, but without an examination I cannot give a diagnosis or prescribe any medication for them; a visit to a Veterinarian is required. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 1, 2018
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Chihuahua
Skuggi
13 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Loss Of Appetite
Whining
Hello. My 13 year old Chihuahua has been having very bad infection and wounds in his paws for one year. The veterinary thinks he has Lupus. He tried Atopica and Apoquel but did not work well enough. He then got corticosteroids injection and Convenja antabiotica for several times wich finally now in desember worked! But then he got diabetes (drinks and pees a lot) and we have been injecting him with insulin twice a day since 22nd of dec. Last week (monday)he lost his apetite, started vomiting and whining sometimes when trying to sleep. The veterinary gave him last Tuesday iv fluids, convenja and canicaral for pain. His blood tests showed high white blood count, ALT normal, ALP very high (has been high since march 2017), low albumin, and inflammation. Kidney blood tests normal. He has had a heart murmur grade 3 since march that has not gotten worse. The last days he is doing a little better. Has a little apetite but eats little. His bowel movements are quite frequent 3-4 times per 24 hours, but no diarhea, light brown colored. He drinks a lot and pees a lot. He walks around but is weak and sometimes shivers. Sometimes when he tries to lay down and relax/sleep he whines and tries to find a new position. This can be going on for a long time and he becomes very irritated and restless. His stomach has been for a few months very distended wich we thought was the liver but are now thinking could be stomach related, pancreatitis maybe? Or peritonitis? He does not whine when he walks or we touch his stomach. Would be very grateful for a quick answer as it is heart breaking seeing him trying to sleep but cant. Best regards, Silja from Iceland
Jan. 14, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, without seeing Skuggi, I am unable to determine why he might be having these problems. It seems that you have a good relationship with your veterinarian, though, and that would be a great question to ask them, to try and find out why he is shivering and can't seem to get comfortable. If he is painful, your veterinarian can try to determine where he is painful and how he can be treated. I hope that he is okay.
Jan. 15, 2018
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German Shepherd
Dani
4.5 years
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My shepherd had emergency surgery 2 weeks ago for intestinal blockage. Swallowed a sock. She survived the procedure & vet said she healed great. However she has lost her appetite except for dog biscuits & still throws up - mainly bile. She was always a good eater before. I have tried different dog foods but other than biscuits she hardly touches them. She just doesn't seem herself. Vet had me give her Pepsid AC, cephalexin & tramadol. She has had bowel movements but not often which I figured was from not eating much. She has not gotten a hold of or eaten any foreign objects- keeping close watch on her. Any thoughts? I'm at a loss & cant figure it out. When I mentioned it to the vet (when they took out her sutures...) they said it was separate issue- meaning not related to her surgery.
Sept. 3, 2017
0 Recommendations
For some time after surgery it is normal for a dog to eat less and to be in some discomfort; if Dani is having trouble eating it may be best to try to feed her small amounts of boiled chicken and rice three or four times per day to see if she start to eat and gain her appetite, the chicken and rice is bland, non-irritating and dogs seem to like it for some reason. Loss of appetite is a common side effect of tramadol so you may want to keep that in mind as well. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.akc.org/content/health/articles/tramadol-for-dogs/
Sept. 3, 2017
My dog is going through the same. The intestinal surgery was done last week. He still doesn't eat, drinks very less water and throws up black-brown colored stinking vomit.
June 11, 2018
Sheena H.
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Abdominal Cavity Inflammation (Peritonitis) Average Cost
From 367 quotes ranging from $100 - $3,000
Average Cost
$800
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