Retrospective Comparison of Outcomes From Septic Peritonitis of Gastrointestinal Versus Non-Gastrointestinal Etiology in Dogs (2009-2022): 161 Cases.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare characteristics and outcomes of dogs with gastrointestinal (GI) and non-gastrointestinal (non-GI) causes of septic peritonitis. DESIGN: Retrospective study from 2009 to 2022. SETTING: A Midwest veterinary teaching hospital and a West Coast private practice in the United States. ANIMALS: A total of 161 dogs diagnosed with septic peritonitis based on intracellular bacteria or a positive culture from peritoneal effusion. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 161 dogs included in the study, 114 (70.8%) survived. Dogs that survived were younger (p = 0.011) and, compared with nonsurvivors, had higher total plasma protein (TP) concentrations (p = 0.039), higher serum albumin concentrations (p = 0.0021), and higher systolic blood pressures (SBP) (p = 0.0025) on presentation. Plasma lactate concentration on presentation was not associated with survival (p = 0.097). There was no difference in survival between dogs diagnosed with a GI versus non-GI etiology of septic peritonitis. Dogs with GI etiologies weighed more than dogs with non-GI etiologies (p = 0.0169). There were no differences in age, temperature, heart rate, SBP, PCV, TP, serum blood glucose concentration, plasma lactate concentration, serum albumin concentration, or Acute Patient Physiologic and Laboratory Evaluation-fast scores upon presentation in dogs with GI etiologies compared with dogs with non-GI etiologies. In a subgroup analysis, dogs with hepatobiliary etiologies were older (p = 0.0004) and weighed less (p = 0.003) compared with dogs with GI and other non-hepatobiliary etiologies, but there was no difference in survival (p = 0.958). CONCLUSIONS: This study found no difference in survival to discharge in dogs with GI compared with non-GI etiologies of septic peritonitis. Regardless of the etiology of septic peritonitis, age, TP, serum albumin concentration, and SBP upon presentation were significantly associated with survival.