Cat Peritonitis: Abdominal Emergency Management

Bacterial peritonitis is a life-threatening abdominal emergency in cats requiring urgent surgical and medical intervention.

Key Facts

Bacterial peritonitis involves infection of the peritoneal cavity, causing systemic sepsis and abdominal pain
Common causes include intestinal perforation, pyometra rupture, bile duct rupture, and penetrating wounds
Signs include sudden severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, reluctance to move, and rapid deterioration
Diagnosis requires abdominal fluid analysis showing septic exudate with degenerate neutrophils and bacteria
Surgical lavage and source control combined with systemic antibiotics are required for treatment
Survival rates with prompt aggressive treatment are approximately 50-75%

Welfare Considerations

Bacterial peritonitis causes acute, severe welfare harm through the intense pain of peritoneal inflammation, systemic toxemia from bacterial endotoxins, and the rapid deterioration of septic shock. Cats with peritonitis are critically ill within hours of onset. The combination of pain, inability to move comfortably, fever, and systemic illness creates profound welfare compromise that requires emergency intervention to reverse. Peritonitis survival rates significantly improve with early aggressive management - each hour of delay worsens outcomes. Post-operative care including pain management, nutritional support, and monitoring for complications is intensive but provides the foundation for recovery to normal health and quality of life for surviving cats.

What You Can Do

Treat any cat with sudden severe abdominal pain as a veterinary emergency requiring immediate assessment
Authorize abdominal fluid analysis and surgical exploration when peritonitis is suspected
Consent to abdominal lavage surgery and systemic antibiotics for confirmed bacterial peritonitis
Ensure comprehensive post-operative pain management - peritonitis pain is significant
Provide nutritional support early - syringe feeding or feeding tube if voluntary intake is insufficient
Monitor for post-operative complications including adhesion formation and ongoing infection