Outcomes in dogs undergoing surgical correction for septic peritonitis: A retrospective study in 61 cases (2019-2022)

Abstract

This retrospective study described clinical parameters, evaluated the chance of death (hazard ratio) and compared outcomes until hospital discharge in septic peritonitis dogs that underwent surgery in 61 cases at a single academic referral hospital population. The surgical records of 223 dogs with suspected septic peritonitis requiring surgical intervention were reviewed and a total of 61 dogs, primarily mixed breed (34.43%), with intraoperative gross lesions and cytology confirmed septic peritonitis were included in the study. The gastrointestinal tract was the most common source of septic peritonitis (52.46%). The overall survival to hospital discharge was 52.46%. Admission time until surgery, drain placements and preoperative antimicrobial selection corresponded to minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), which did not affect survival nor median survival time (MST). However, dogs with septic peritonitis from a biliary source had 5 times higher chances of death until hospital discharge compared to non-biliary sources with MST 2.5 days vs 12 days, respectively (P = 0.032). Older dogs had 2.35 times higher chances of death than younger dogs (P = 0.037). This study suggested that specific septic peritonitis sources affect survival until hospital discharge. Meanwhile, admission time until surgery, closed abdominal drain placement and correct antimicrobial selection did not alter survival and MST. Despite advanced treatment protocols, the overall survival rate remained poor to guarded similar to previous reports.