Lesions. The peritoneum, as in solipeds, shows the symptoms of congestion, exudation of a fine fibrinous network or shreds, of thicker and more extended false membranes in patches, of effusions more or less sanguineous, of formation of pus, usually fœtid, or the presence of decomposing ingesta which has escaped through a lesion of stomach or bowels. The peritoneal and subserous tissue are infiltrated with liquid, and the other gastric and intestinal organs are more or less tympanitic, and the mucosa of the latter is thickened, ecchymosed, or eroded, with black, fœtid bloodstained contents. In parturient cases, the uterine mucosa is congested, reddened and softened, the cotyledons swollen, perhaps gangrenous, and the membranes, if still present, float in a dark, putrid offensive liquid.
Treatment. As in the horse, morphia has been used to relieve pain and check peristalsis. The addition of saline laxatives, and diuretics, will assist in elimination and depletion, and in the removal of intestinal bacteria which become a source of danger. A laxative dose should be followed by frequent drinks of pure water or mucilaginous liquids, and sulphate of soda may also be given freely in enema. As diuretics, saltpeter or digitalis may be resorted to. Antiferments (salicylate of soda, bisulphite of soda) should not be forgotten nor cold applications to the abdomen. When effusion or suppuration has taken place evacuation by puncture may be followed by antiseptic irrigation.
If with septic metritis, antiseptic injections of the vagina and womb are the first consideration. With boiled water at a tepid heat the womb should be thoroughly washed out, followed by a solution of mercuric chloride (1:2000), or permanganate of potash (1:1000), or boric acid (1:25) until the liquid returns clear and odorless. This may be repeated several times a day. The symptoms of brain congestion, may be met by tying, or packing up the patient with straw so that the head will be somewhat elevated, and bags of ice or snow, or simple cold water may be kept applied to the upper part of the head and neck. When there is no great nervous excitement the nervous functions may be roused by nux vomica in enema, or strychnia subcutem. If on the other hand the temperature runs very high acetanilid may be tried with caution, or resort may be had to wet compresses.
In case of perforation or rupture, if the animal cannot be at once sacrificed for beef or mutton before inflammation has set in, the only hope lies in laparotomy, followed by the cleansing, disinfection and suturing of the wound.
In tubercular peritonitis which constitutes a very large proportion of bovine cases, treatment is undesirable, and the animal is unfit for consumption.
PERITONITIS IN CARNIVORA.
Causes: gastro-intestinal inflammations, metritis, trauma to walls of abdomen, pyæmia, septicæmia, tuberculosis, cancer, tumors, parasites. Symptoms: dullness, hiding away, movements tardy, painful, arched back, retracted abdomen, tense and tender, drags hind limbs, vomits, yawns, bloats, hopeless look, snappish, death in 2 to 8 days. Treatment: anodynes, saline laxatives by mouth and rectum, damp compress, warm bath, antiseptics, diuretics, in effusion, puncture, antiseptic irrigation, laparotomy.
Causes. All inflammatory and other serious affections of the stomach and bowels may be associated with peritonitis. Metritis and injuries to the womb, and all injuries to the walls of the abdomen (kicks, blows, penetrating and castration wounds), may have a similar complication. Pyæmia and septicæmia may also have localization in the peritoneum. It must be borne in mind, however, that purulent and septic infection are less likely to occur in the dog than in cattle, the leucocytes of the dog having much more resisting power. On the other hand the dog, and, still more so, the cat has a fair measure of susceptibility to tuberculosis, cancer and various forms of tumors, which show a strong tendency to localization in the abdomen. Parasites also penetrate and irritate the peritoneum.
Symptoms. The animal becomes dull, retiring, and inclined to lie in a quiet place, though his suffering may lead to frequent change of bed, he moves slowly, painfully, with arched back, retracted abdomen, and drooping head, and dragging his hind limbs stiffly. The abdomen is tense and firm, hot and very tender, drawing forth whines and yelps when it is handled. There are hyperthermia (104°), small, weak, accelerated pulse, hurried, catching breathing, vomiting, yawning, tympany and constipation. The face has a hopeless, stupid look and the eyes are sunken and at times glazed. Some patients become ill natured and snappish. The animal gradually sinks into a condition of prostration and finally of collapse and dies in two to eight days.
Treatment does not differ materially from that given for larger animals. Pain may be moderated by belladonna, hyoscyamus, chloral, or even opium, while the sulphate of soda is employed by both mouth and rectum. The abdomen may be enveloped in a damp compress, or a warm bath may be given. Diuretics will be in order and above all antiferments, the latter by enema as well. Distension of the abdomen with fluid may be relieved by puncture, followed by antiseptic irrigation. If there is good ground to suspect a gastric or intestinal lesion or tumors, laparotomy is a much more hopeful resort than in the larger animals.