PERITONITIS IN HORSES - 67 CASES (1985-1990)

Peritonitis was diagnosed in 67 horses between 1985 and 1990: 14 horse s developed septic peritonitis after intestinal rupture, 25 horses dev eloped peritonitis after abdominal surgery, and 28 horses had peritoni tis not associated with intestinal rupture or abdominal surgery. Forty of 67 horses (59.7%) did not survive. Nonsurvivors had higher heart r ates (P = 0.01), RBC count (P = 0.039), serum creatinine concentration (P = 0.036), PCV (P = 0.007), and anion gap (P = 0.005); lower venous blood pH (P = 0.002); and a greater number of bacterial species cultu red from peritoneal fluid samples (P = 0.054), compared with those fro m survivors. Nonsurvivors were more likely to have signs of abdominal pain (P < 0.000), circulatory shock (P = 0.009), and bacteria in perit oneal fluid samples (P = 0.042). Physical examination and peritoneal f luid analysis were the most valuable diagnostic aids for intestinal ru pture. Peritonitis after abdominal surgery resulted in high mortality (56%); peritonitis not associated with intestinal rupture or abdominal surgery had lower mortality (42.9%). Clinical and laboratory indices can be of value in determining the prognosis for horses with peritonit is.