Changes

==Description==

==Description==

Peritonitis refers to [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]] of the [[Peritoneal cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|peritoneal cavity]] and it may occur in any of the domestic species.  Peritonitis represents a considerable therapeutic challenge in any species and frequently carries a very poor prognosis.

Peritonitis refers to [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]] of the [[Peritoneal Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|peritoneal cavity]] and it may occur in any of the domestic species.  Peritonitis represents a considerable therapeutic challenge in any species and frequently carries a very poor prognosis.

==Classification==

==Classification==

*'''Granulomatous''', as with ''[[:Category:Nocardia species|Nocardia]]'' infection in dogs

*'''Granulomatous''', as with ''[[:Category:Nocardia species|Nocardia]]'' infection in dogs

Peritonitis may occur acutely or it may be a chronic process that reaches an advanced stage before it is diagnosed.  In cases of '''acute''' peritonitis, there is likely to be an increased amount of fluid in the peritoneal cavity and roughening of serosal surface of the abdominal organs and [[Peritoneal cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|parietal peritoneum]] due to the presence of fibrin.  Cases of '''chronic''' peritonitis often involve fibrous adhesions between any of the abdominal organs and the omentum, mesentery or [[Peritoneal cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|peritoneum]].

Peritonitis may occur acutely or it may be a chronic process that reaches an advanced stage before it is diagnosed.  In cases of '''acute''' peritonitis, there is likely to be an increased amount of fluid in the peritoneal cavity and roughening of serosal surface of the abdominal organs and [[Peritoneal Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|parietal peritoneum]] due to the presence of fibrin.  Cases of '''chronic''' peritonitis often involve fibrous adhesions between any of the abdominal organs and the omentum, mesentery or [[Peritoneal Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|peritoneum]].

==Causes of Peritonitis==

==Causes of Peritonitis==

====Viral Peritonitis====

====Viral Peritonitis====

[[File:FIP Punktat.jpg|thumb|Image of the protein-rich effusion produced in cats with FIP<br><small>Copyright Kalumet 2006 Wikimedia Commons]]</small>

[[File:FIP Punktat.jpg|thumb|Image of the protein-rich effusion produced in cats with FIP<br><small>Copyright Kalumet 2006 Wikimedia Commons]]</small>

The 'wet' or effusive form of [[Feline Infectious Peritonitis|'''feline infectious peritonitis''']] is caused by pyogranulomatous inflammation of the venules of the omentum and aprietal and visceral peritoneum.  This vasculitis results in the effusion of sero-fibrinous fluid with a high protein and immunoglobulin content and tags of fibrin attach to the [[Peritoneal cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|peritoneum]] and abdominal organs.

The 'wet' or effusive form of [[Feline Infectious Peritonitis|'''feline infectious peritonitis''']] is caused by pyogranulomatous inflammation of the venules of the omentum and aprietal and visceral peritoneum.  This vasculitis results in the effusion of sero-fibrinous fluid with a high protein and immunoglobulin content and tags of fibrin attach to the [[Peritoneal Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|peritoneum]] and abdominal organs.

====Parasitic Peritonitis====

====Parasitic Peritonitis====

**Fibrinous adhesions may develop

**Fibrinous adhesions may develop

*Impaired CV function and acid-base imbalance  

*Impaired CV function and acid-base imbalance  

**Due to sequestration of fluid and protein in exudate, hypomotile gut, bacterial exo/endotoxins absorbed directly from [[Peritoneal cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|peritoneal cavity]] and causing vascular permeability, loss of intestinal absorption

**Due to sequestration of fluid and protein in exudate, hypomotile gut, bacterial exo/endotoxins absorbed directly from [[Peritoneal Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|peritoneal cavity]] and causing vascular permeability, loss of intestinal absorption

*May resolve, become chronic-active or lead to adhesions.

*May resolve, become chronic-active or lead to adhesions.