Info needed - peritonitis?

Cazzah

Cazzah

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Hi All,
I'm after any information/advice re. peritonitis.

My 7 yo ex racehorse was admitted to hospital last night and diagnosed with peritonitis following a stomach tap and I'm panicking like mad as I know it can be really serious but the info on the internet is really patchy so would be grateful for any experiences you may have had. I'll give you a bit of history......


When I went to put him out to graze yesterday morning he was exhibiting colic symptoms - lying down (still), kicking at his belly, very lethargic etc. Tried walking him round for an hour or so with no improvement so called the vet who came out. Took temp (normal) and heartrate (slightly raised) and then administered pain killer. This seemed to help dramatically so he told me to continue observation and update him in a few hours. He seemed better for a while and then became really lethargic and looked really pathetic. Called the vet back out about 4pm and he referred him to hospital. His stats were the same as in the morning.

When we got to the hospital (about 7.30pm) his temp was up (about 1.5 degrees above normal level). So far he's had a gastrophy (sp?) (showed some gastric ulcers - now on gastrogard), painkillers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, stomach flush (mild impaction), full body scan, bloods, ultrasound and hand up his rear end. They're doing another stomach tap tomorrow to check white cell levels again. and also another camera as they couldn't get an image due to food in his stomach. He's feeling very sorry for himself at the moment and I feel a bit helpless and useless.

The vets tell me that they THINK they've caught it early - apparently the fact that his white cell count in his blood was only slightly above normal indicates this?

Would love to hear any good news!!

Thanks for reading - sorry it was so long!
 
I really dont wanna scare you but at the same time i want to let you know what your letting yourself into.

Ive known three horses suffer this, all three died. 2 were put to sleep. One recovered from the peritonitis only to suffer shock induce laminitis, cause by the peritonitis and have to be PTS due to this..

Good luck and i wish you the best.

Lou x
 
I have only seen this once, and unfortunately the horse was PTS. Admittedly, the vet had been slow in diagnosis and it was nearly a week from the horse getting ill to it being diagnosed, by which time it was too late.

Very very very sad, especially as we think it was induced by the horse being hounded round the field, and said horse falling over.
 
I'm just hoping that they got to it in time - had a really good ride on Sunday and he was full of beans. Will be heartbroken if the worst happens :-(
 
Sending you positive vibes for your horse. I really hope you have some more encouraging news tomorrow.
Sorry I can't help with more info on peritonitis.
 
We had a mare arrive for livery which we wormed and the huge influx of worms it released damaged her stomach wall and she got peritonitis.
She was rushed into Bristol and after three weeks survived and went on to be ridden and have two foals.
Sadly I also know of others who didn't make it.
Just cross your fingers, I hope he is a lucky one.
 
Not quite the same, but my mare suffered from septicemia caused by an injury to her bowel wall (caused by a piece of hawthorn, we believe). She had a temp of 105.6F and lost all her body weight in only a few days. We were warned that her blood could clot and that she could go down with severe laminitus. Her age, at 23 was against her. This was back in June
She is now fully recovered being ridden again.
Please do not give up hope
x
 
That's a good point - he was wormed on Sunday and when the vet thought it was colic he thought that may have caused it....will just have to wait and see tomorrow. Don't think there will be much sleep tonight...
 
Our original foundation mare (TB) had this and survived to go on to have 3 foals. At the same time as having peritonitis, she was suffering from immune system breakdown, circulatory breakdown, abscess on the lungs, respiratory breakdown, lymphangitis and on and on and on, you name it - she got it - and this was all at the same time! She'd gone into hospital for a double twist in the small intestine and ended up in intensive care for a couple of months and in total spent 3 months in the hospital. This mare has been written up in various medical journals and magazines all over the world. Ironically, she ended up having to be PTS many many years later by breaking her leg in the stable in the middle of the night - and we never found out why.

All this was many years ago and we know how much more advanced veterinary medicine is now. Good vibes coming your way.
 
Just been to see my boy - he's looking a lot better. Temperature returned to normal and further scope has shown no ruptures or abcesses. Talking to the vet she tells me that this is good news as most cases which have an undiagnosed cause go on to make a full recovery with no lasting effects.

He seems much happier in himself - was tucking into some hay when I went to see him and had a little bran too. He's ravenous!! Will keep fingers crossed that he keeps improving....
 
That is such good news
smile.gif
 
I am so pleased for you and keeping everything crossed that he continues to make good progress.
The fact that he has no ruptures is really good news.
 
Seems like things are on the up now - had another stomach tap today and levels coming down. He's lots brighter too and eating well and is off the painkillers and onto antibiotic powders instead of jabs. Very happy - not to say relieved!!

He's having another tap on Monday and if the levels are still coming down he's coming home. :-) will be so pleased to have my boy home.
 
Sorry to here your boy is ill with peritonitis and glad to here he is a bit better. don't want to frighten you i lost my 11 month old colt in may due to peritonitis and he had the best treatment money could buy. he had iv fluids iv antibiotics etc i had a temp of 39.5 very sad times hope your boy does better than our boy did
 
Just had some excellent news!!

The vet has re-scanned him this morning and done another stomach tap - there are no signs of excess fluid or increased white cell count and his temp has remained normal. I'm picking him up in the morning. I'm so relieved and happy - many thanks to those who sent him vibes - its worked!!

On the downside his shoe has come loose and he's walking like his leg is amputated. This is normal with him though! Vet has removed shoe and farrier coming out tomorrow PM - this boy sure knows how to spend my money!! lol
 
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