PERITONITIS IN DOGS
Peritonitis In Dogs – Did you know that there is also peritonitis in dogs? Do you want to discover all the details about this disease? In Pet and Health we give you the most extensive information so that you can learn a little more about this dangerous pathology.
Peritonitis in dogs is one of the most threatening digestive diseases that our pet can suffer , since, if it is not detected in time and is not treated correctly, it will seriously endanger the life of the animal.
Next, you will be able to know first-hand why canine peritonitis arises , what reasons cause it to appear, what are the most prominent symptoms and what treatments exist to end it.
PERITONITIS IN DOGS: WHAT IS IT?
To know what this canine pathology consists of, you have to move to the body area where it occurs. The digestive system , in its abdominal area, is covered by a membrane called the peritoneum , which is responsible for synthesizing liquids and protecting all the organs it covers .
Peritonitis in dogs appears when this membrane becomes inflamed , either partially in a specific area of the digestive system, or generally in the entire abdominal area of the animal – this being the most serious diagnosis.
CAUSES OF PERITONITIS IN DOGS
Basically, canine peritonitis appears in the dog’s body by becoming infected and / or plugging the ducts of the gallbladder, which causes the infection of the peritoneum itself. But what can motivate the appearance of this digestive problem in the animal’s body?
There is no one answer. Peritonitis in dogs can be caused by various agents: from cancer to pancreatitis , through gallstones or shrinkage of the gallbladder ducts . It is also usually caused by bacteria and even by a blow received in the abdominal area.
PERITONITIS IN DOGS: COMMON SYMPTOMS
Many of the diseases that dogs suffer are complex to detect, since the symptoms are not very noticeable or mild. This is not the case of peritonitis in dogs, in which quite clear indications are seen –although, yes, they can be confused with those of other pathologist-.
It should be noted that the dog will not always manifest all the symptoms that we are going to explain below, even so, it usually presents more than one.
FEVER
A higher than normal temperature may be an obvious sign that our dog suffers from peritonitis. Recall that the normal body temperature of a dog is between 37.8 ºC and 39.2 ºC , therefore, whenever our pet exceeds this mark , it will have a fever and, therefore, may suffer from this disease.
In our Guide on Fever in Dogs you will find the most professional tips to detect, reduce and prevent this body defense system.
DIARRHEA
The signals in the gastrointestinal tract do not usually fail to locate peritonitis in dogs. Diarrhea becomes a fairly clear sign of this possible pathology and is normally combined with other symptoms that we will detail below.
Although it is a very close indication of this disease, this symptom is also linked to more canine problems. Discover all the information about diarrhea in dogs.
VOMITING
Although vomiting can be caused by the so common food contamination, canine peritonitis also includes them in its possible symptoms. As we well know, this disease directly affects the digestive system and, through vomiting , the dog’s body informs us that something is wrong.
EXCESSIVE SLEEPINESS
That our dog shows an exaggerated and unjustified sleepiness can make us see that he suffers from this pathology. Although it is not the only disease that can be related to this indication, it is a recurring sign in cases of canine peritonitis.
ABDOMINAL PAIN
Discomfort or pain in the abdominal area is an obvious symptom of canine peritonitis. Sometimes this pain is the result of trauma, however, the abdominal discomfort is not always the consequence of a blow to the animal’s body . In any case, the disease may be present!
At this point you will ask yourself: “How can I realize that my dog is in pain?” Well, there are a couple of signs that will help you figure it out. For starters, the dog with abdominal discomfort usually avoids the support of the belly on the floor , so it will lie on its side or on its back. Also, a dog with this ailment also does not support light contact in the area , so it will be very uncomfortable when we try to caress the gut, it can even be quite aggressive!
POOR APPETITE
Does your dog not eat as before and also manifests some of the symptoms already explained? You most likely have peritonitis, so don’t hesitate to take it to the vet!
TREATMENT FOR CANINE PERITONITIS
Many people believe that the only remedy for peritonitis in dogs is surgical intervention . Although this is a fairly common remedy, it is not always necessary to resort to these types of operations so that the dog’s digestive system returns to its being.
The characteristics of the animal , its health conditions , its age , the development of the disease and the causes of it , are the main factors that are taken into account in planning adequate treatment . However, in all treatments the vet pursues three aspects:
- Stabilize the dog’s physiology.
- End the infection caused by the pathology (if any).
- Locate and amend the cause.
I THINK MY DOG HAS PERITONITIS, WHAT DO I DO?
If you have the slight suspicion that your dog may suffer from peritonitis in dogs, what you should do immediately is go to your trusted vet . This disease can be a very serious, and even fatal, complication if it is not detected early.
Remember that this article is merely informative and that, in no case is it recommended to self-evaluate the pet and apply treatments for others, as this will only aggravate their health. Professionals are the only people trained to detect whether or not your dog suffers from this pathology and, for this, they will use different tests and analyzes that will allow them to know exactly what is really happening to the animal.
Related tags:
Peritonitis, Dog, Signs and symptoms, Gallbladder, Pathology, Abdomen, Fever, Infection, Pain, Disease, Peritoneum, Gallstone, Diseases and disorders, Health, Epidemiology, Health sciences, Gastroenterology, Diarrhea, Pancreatitis, Gastrointestinal tract, Gastrointestinal disease, Health care, Abdominal pain, Symptoms and signs, Digestive diseases, Physiology, Infectious diseases, Pet, Immunology, Animals, Animals and humans, Digestive system, Microbiology, Appetite, Animal diseases
