title: Retrospective evaluation of recurrent secondary septic peritonitis in dogs (2000-2011): 41 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical characteristics of recurrent septic peritonitis in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicenter retrospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Client-owned dogs with recurrent septic peritonitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three university emergency and referral hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Medical records from 3 veterinary university teaching hospitals were reviewed and data were collected using a standardized data collection sheet for all cases of septic peritonitis during the study period (2000-2011). Forty one dogs met the inclusion criteria for recurrent peritonitis. All dogs underwent relaparotomy. The original cause of septic peritonitis in these cases included previous surgery for gastrointestinal foreign body removal (n = 26), gastrointestinal neoplasia (n = 3), gastric or duodenal ulceration (n = 3), biliary tract leakage (n = 2), and single instance for each of the following: penetrating foreign body, hernia strangulation, intussusception, mesenteric volvulus, infection of the laparotomy incision, prostatic abscess, and trauma. Eighteen animals survived to discharge. There was no difference detected between survivors and nonsurvivors with recurrent peritonitis in terms of inciting cause, serum albumin concentration, surgical management, or provision of appropriate initial antimicrobials. The survival rate for dogs having recurrent peritonitis was 43.9% (18/41 dogs).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This retrospective study did not identify any significant prognostic indicators for dogs with recurrent peritonitis and that the mortality rate for dogs having more than one surgery for septic peritonitis is similar to that reported for a single surgery for septic peritonitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: Dominic M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Barfield
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tivers
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: House
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: Sophie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Adamantos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin
keywords: canine; prognostic factors; septic abdomen; tertiary peritonitis