Treatment of peritonitis

Peritonitis is a serious and frequently life-threatening disease in the horse. It is most commonly associated with gastrointestinal diseases in the adult horse. Treatment must be prompt and aggressive and should focus on reducing systemic signs of hypovolemic or endotoxic shock, correction of any primary problem, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapy, and abdominal drainage and lavage. The prognosis must be guarded in all cases unless the underlying cause can be corrected and there is a rapid response to therapy.