The peritoneum is a serous membrane partially investing all the organs in the abdominal cavity. An inflammation of this membrane or perito-nitis may be either acute, circumscribed, or chronic as regards the degree and duration of the inflammation.

The disease is an exceedingly grave one and fortunately but rarely met with among dogs.

Causation

Traumatic injuries such as kicks and blows, exposure to cold, and whelping. In the great majority of cases the disease is incidental to other affections of the abdominal organs. In intestinal diseases the inflammatory process may extend and involve the peritoneum, or ulceration may induce it through perforation.

Symptoms

In acute inflammation of the peritoneum the symptoms may be readily recognized. The pain is agonizing; to this the sharp shrill cries of the animal fully testify. While he has strength to remain on the feet his restlessness is ceaseless, and in no position can he find relief. He breathes solely with the chest, the abdominal muscles being rigid and fixed. The expression is anxious, the eyes reddened and sunken; the pulse small, wiry, and resisting; the tongue dry, vomiting constant; constipation is obstinate. The abdomen is distended, tense, and great tenderness is more or less widely diffused. If the case proceeds to a fatal termination the abdomen swells with an effusion, the pulse becomes quicker and weaker; paralysis follows; then exhaustion and death.

Diagnosis

In severe forms of the disease under consideration, this should not be difficult. From enteritis it is distinguished by greater pain, greater abdominal tenderness and distension, absence of diarrhoea, and the presence of evidences of a much graver disease. Colic may be eliminated on the same points of difference between that disease and enteritis.

Prognosis

General peritonitis is an exceedingly grave disease from which there is little hope of recovery. The danger is greatly increased by perforation and co-existing diseases.

The affection may run rapidly to a fatal termination, destroying life within a few hours, or the issue may be prolonged several days. Recovery might take place from the acute form of the disease, but such a result must be painfully rare.

Treatment

Opium is the sovereign remedy and on that reliance must be placed. How large a dose and how often, it is difficult to direct. The natures of animals vary; some are susceptible to a small quantity, others bear large doses of opiates with but little effect. Again the pain may be agonizing in some cases and less severe in others. Still in other attacks vomiting will be so persistent that medicine will not be retained, in which event morphine must be administered subcutaneously in one eighth grain doses. Where the medicine is not rejected laudanum is a convenient preparation of opium, and should be given in twenty drop doses. Should the animal show no signs of sleeping and the pain persists, doubtless the dose could be safely repeated every hour and a half or two hours until some relief is secured. Although obstinate constipation exist, purgatives must not under any consideration be given during the acute stage. Remember the costiveness arises from an inflammation of the bowels, and they being unable to expel their contents.

Hot applications to the abdomen are indicated, and it matters little their character as long as they are hot. Nourishment should be given ice cold, the most concentrated being demanded.

Partial Or Circumscribed Peritonitis

Partial Or Circumscribed Peritonitis is as the name implies an inflammation limited to a portion of the peritoneum. It is a complication of a previous affection of the parts covered by the inflamed membrane. Where this inflammation exists, a disease of the tissues beneath may be inferred.

Chronic Peritonitis

Chronic Peritonitis is less common than the acute. Occasionally the latter eventuates in the chronic form, but rarely so; it is more often associated with some diseases of the abdominal organs, previously existing or present. As chronic peritonitis must sooner or later eventuate in death, as it is insidious and its existence is rarely detected except at the autopsy, an extended consideration is an absurdity.

An inflammation limited to the upper portion of the large intestine sometimes occurs in canine practice. The more common cause is the lodgment of a foreign body such as a small, sharp piece of bone. This becoming fixed excites a local inflammation, which in turn may result in ulceration, and finally perforation into the abdominal cavity take place. Peritonitis more often follows and terminates fatally. In rare instances the peritonitis at first will be local. In such cases an abscess usually forms, and more often bursts into the abdominal cavity.

While the inflammation is limited to the intestine, the symptoms are, pain and tenderness confined to a certain part of the abdomen. Gas generally accumulates, and the bowels become greatly distended. The movements of the animal, especially of his hind legs, cause an increase in pain. If the gaseous distention is confined to the affected portion, the intestine can be felt through the abdominal walls. Diarrhoea is a common symptom, with which is associated, higher pulse, fever, loss of appetite and the usual manifestations of a serious disturbance. When perforation takes place the symptoms become identical with those of peritonitis.

In treatment, opium to relieve pain, a blister to the abdomen, over the inflamed parts, and a cautious use of cathartics; the preference being given to castor oil, in small doses, frequently repeated.