title: Closed suction drainage for treatment of septic peritonitis of confirmed gastrointestinal origin in 20 dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine survival rate in dogs with septic peritonitis of confirmed gastrointestinal origin treated with closed suction drainage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n = 20) with septic peritonitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (2007-2010) of dogs with septic peritonitis of confirmed gastrointestinal origin treated by closed suction drainage were reviewed. Information on signalment, clinicopathologic abnormalities, underlying cause, surgical procedure performed, postoperative management, complications, and outcome was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dehiscence of a previous anastomosis was the most common source of contamination (80%). Drains remained in place, collecting fluid produced within the abdomen, for a median of 6 days (range, 2-11 days). Eighteen dogs received nutritional support, and 14 received plasma transfusions. Seventeen dogs (85%) survived to discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Closed suction drainage together with resolution of the underlying cause of peritonitis and appropriate postoperative management is an effective technique for treatment of septic peritonitis of confirmed gastrointestinal origin in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Davies Veterinary Specialists, Higham Gobion, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Ronan S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bray
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Burton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004322:Drainage / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013396:Suction / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome