title: Treatment of peritonitis.
abstract: In summary, peritonitis in the horse is a potentially life-threatening disease that must be treated promptly and aggressively. Therapy should be aimed at reducing systemic shock and hypovolemia, correction of the primary cause, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy, and abdominal drainage and lavage. The prognosis depends on the ability to diagnose and treat the underlying cause and prevent the development of complications. Mortality rates can be as high as 59.7%, with horses developing postoperative peritonitis having a 56% mortality rate. Long-term complications like adhesion formation or internal abscesses may further reduce the survival rate. The prognosis is best determined by an early and quick response to aggressive treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Services, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA. jennifer_davis@ncsu.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage / Q000662:veterinary; D019446:Endotoxemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents