Peritonitis is a life-threatening inflammatory condition of the peritoneum in horses. A recent retrospective observational study aimed to report short- and long-term outcomes in horses diagnosed with peritonitis and identify factors associated with survival.
Retrospective Observational Study
Researchers obtained data from horses admitted to a U.K. referral hospital between 2010 and 2024 and diagnosed with peritonitis (peritoneal fluid nucleated cell count >10 × 109/L). They assessed the horses’ short- and long-term morbidity and mortality and used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with short-term survival based on data available at admission (Model 1) and at the time of second abdominocentesis (Model 2).
Peritonitis was diagnosed in 123 horses. Overall, short-term survival was 74% (91/123) with better outcomes in primary (90%, 66/73) versus secondary peritonitis (50%, 25/50). Surgery was performed in 31 cases, with short-term survival of 48% (15/31). In Model 1, horses with higher heart rates (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.86–0.95, p < 0.001) and sanguinous peritoneal fluid (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04–0.65, p = 0.01) were significantly less likely to survive to hospital discharge. Survival was better in ponies vs. horses (OR 8.30, 95% CI 1.42–48.60, p = 0.02) and if rectal examination was normal (OR 8.25, 95% CI 1.80–37.85, p = 0.007). In Model 2, increased heart rate was the best predictor of reduced survival (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83–0.94, p < 0.001). Survival to 30, 90, and 365 days was 98% (n = 50/51), 93% (n = 42/45), and 88% (n = 35/40), respectively. A third of horses developed complications following hospital discharge (predominantly colic and pyrexia), usually within 90 days of hospital admission. Peritonitis recurred in six horses.
Bottom Line
The prognosis for primary peritonitis is better than for secondary peritonitis. Heart rate is a good predictor of short-term survival at admission and time of repeat abdominocentesis. Total nucleated cell count was not significantly associated with altered likelihood of survival, either at admission (first sample) or time of repeat abdominocentesis.
https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/evj.70339
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