title: Septic peritonitis from pyloric and non-pyloric gastrointestinal perforation: prognostic factors in 44 dogs and 11 cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify potential prognostic factors affecting outcome in septic peritonitis caused by gastrointestinal perforation in dogs and cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study. Animals operated on for septic peritonitis because of gastrointestinal perforation were evaluated. Risk factors assessed included age, duration of clinical signs, recent prior abdominal surgery, recent prior anti-inflammatory drug administration, placement of a closed-suction drain and location of perforation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-five animals (44 dogs and 11 cats) were included. The overall mortality was 63·6%. No association was found between age, duration of clinical signs or prior abdominal surgery and outcome. Animals with a history of prior anti-inflammatory drugs were significantly (P=0·0011) more likely to have perforation of the pylorus (73·3%). No significant difference in outcome was found between animals treated with closed-suction drains and those treated with primary closure or between pyloric perforation and perforation at other gastrointestinal sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of anti-inflammatory drugs in dogs and cats is a significant risk factor for pyloric perforation. Pyloric perforation was not associated with a poorer outcome than perforation at other gastrointestinal sites. Placement of a closed suction drain did not improve outcome compared to primary closure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dayer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spreng
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D011708:Pylorus / Q000293:injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D013270:Stomach / Q000293:injuries