Bacterial Peritonitis in Cats

Culp, W. T., T. E. Zeldis, et al. (2009). "Primary bacterial peritonitis in dogs and cats: 24 cases (1990-2006)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 234(7): 906-13.

This retrospective study was performed to determine the clinical characteristics of primary bacterial peritonitis and to compare the characteristics of primary and secondary peritonitis in dogs and cats. Primary peritonitis is defined as an infection of the peritoneal cavity with no identifiable intraperitoneal source of infection or history of a peritoneal penetrating injury. Secondary peritonitis cases were identified by use of the first criteria and also had a confirmed source of bacterial leakage identified either during surgery or at necropsy. Nine cats met the inclusion criteria for primary peritonitis and 11 cats met the inclusion criteria for secondary peritonitis. The most common historical findings in cats with primary and secondary peritonitis were anorexia, lethargy, and vomiting. Weight loss was an additional common finding with secondary peritonitis in cats. Significantly more cats had tachypnea, pain on abdominal palpation, and abdominal distention with primary peritonitis than the secondary form. Additionally, significantly more cats with primary peritonitis had hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia than did cats with secondary peritonitis. Three types of bacteria were cultured from the peritoneal cavity of cats, including E. coli, Clostridium spp. and Streptococcus spp. The majority of cultures of primary and secondary peritonitis in cats were monobacterial. There was no significant difference in outcome detected between animals with primary versus secondary peritonitis. [VT]
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Related articles:
Ludwig, L. L., M. A. McLoughlin, et al. (1997). "Surgical treatment of bile peritonitis in 24 dogs and 2 cats: a retrospective study (1987-1994)." Vet Surg 26(2): 90-8.
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