Canine Peritonitis in 2025: Vet-Backed Guide ⚠️🐶
By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc
📌 What Is Canine Peritonitis?
Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum—the membrane lining your dog’s abdomen and organs. It can be septic (infected) or non‑septic, and is a serious, often life‑threatening condition.
🔍 Causes: How It Develops
- Secondary to GI perforation from foreign bodies, ulcers, or tumors
- Ruptured bladder, gallbladder/bile duct, uterus (e.g., pyometra)
- Post‑surgical leakage or abdominal wounds
- Primary peritonitis—rare, via bloodstream infections
👀 Signs & Symptoms
- Abdominal pain, distention, “praying position”
- Fever or hypothermia, lethargy, anorexia
- Vomiting, diarrhea, black tarry stools
- Rapid heart/breathing rate, low blood pressure, shock
🩺 Diagnosis & Testing
Early diagnosis saves lives. Your vet may use:
- Physical exam with abdominal palpation
- Abdominal ultrasound and X‑rays to detect fluid
- Abdominocentesis or peritoneal lavage for fluid analysis—cell counts, bacteria
- Bloodwork to detect systemic infection or organ impact
- CT scan or exploratory surgery in unclear cases
🛠️ Treatment Options
- Emergency surgery to repair perforations, remove infected tissue, and flush the abdomen
- Intravenous shock‑dose fluids and electrolyte support
- Broad‑spectrum antibiotics targeted by culture
- Pain management and anti‑inflammatories
- Post‑op care: drains, intensive monitoring, nutrition
⚠️ Why Speed Matters
Septic peritonitis progresses rapidly, often causing sepsis and organ failure. Surgical intervention within 24 hours improves survival rates, varying from ~36–85%, average of ~50%.
📈 Prognosis & Recovery
Early cases with prompt treatment have fair outcomes. Mortality remains high in delayed or complicated cases (20–50%).
Recovery includes hospitalization, IV fluids, antibiotics, and close monitoring. Long-term follow-up for complications may be required.
🛡️ Prevention Tips
- Prevent ingestion of foreign bodies
- Promptly fix GI perforations and leaks
- Spay before pyometra risk (uterine rupture)
- Careful post‑surgery monitoring for signs of leakage
📞 When to Call Your Vet NOW
- Sudden abdominal pain, distention, or “praying posture”
- Persistent vomiting, fever, or coldness, or collapse
- Signs of shock: rapid heart/breathing rate, pale gums
Peritonitis is a medical emergency—early veterinary care can save your dog's life. For rapid guidance, contact a vet via the Ask A Vet app 📱.
Written by Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. For 24/7 expert pet care, visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app—because every pup deserves prompt, life-saving care. 🩺❤️
This article is general veterinary education and does not diagnose or treat an individual animal. Always confirm medication names, doses and interactions with the veterinarian who knows your pet.
If your animal is struggling to breathe, collapsed, bleeding heavily, seizing, or has eaten something toxic, contact your vet or the nearest emergency clinic now.
Animal Poisons Helpline (AU) 1300 869 738 · Animal Poisons Helpline (NZ) 0800 869 738 · ASPCA Animal Poison Control (US) (888) 426-4435
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Ask A Vet articles are written by Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, a practising veterinarian, unless another author is named in the byline.
