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They can cause inflammation by migrating or nesting in the intestinal wall," explains veterinarian Barbara Elmore.This parasitic infection is therefore called migration peritonitis.Sterile peritonitis occurs when sterile urine leaks from a hole in the urinary bladder into the abdominal cavity.These injuries (uroperitoneum) can happen in foals during birth.However, peritonitis sometimes develops in response to a tumor in the abdomen (such as carcinoma or lymphoma).The symptoms of peritonitis are as varied as their causes, but according to veterinarian Elmore, they always include more or less severe colic symptoms such as scratching, fleams, loss of appetite, lying down more and fever.Interpreting these signs correctly is not easy.How peritonitis manifests depends on what's causing it and how bad the inflammation is, says Dr.Dagmar S. Trachsel: If there is bacterial contamination of the peritoneum after damage to the intestinal wall or after a birth injury to the uterus, "the inflammatory reaction is massive," says Dr.Trachsel, so it is accompanied by signs of colic and fever.However, if the peritonitis only occurs in part of the abdominal cavity, the symptoms are rather unspecific: a tumor inside the abdomen (intra-abdominal), for example, can irritate the peritoneum locally as it grows.When this happens, mild, intermittent colic is sometimes present;or the horses show little appetite, tiredness, weight loss occurs.The disease is diagnosed in the first step by a general examination, i.e. by measuring fever and checking the mucous membranes, among other things.This is followed by an ultrasound of the abdomen and a blood analysis in the laboratory.By means of a puncture in the abdominal cavity, the veterinarian removes fluid from the abdominal cavity, which is then also analyzed in the laboratory."The latter is absolutely necessary to make the diagnosis," says Barbara Elmore.Because the consistency and color of the abdominal cavity fluid provide important information: Normally, an abdominal puncture should be "liquid, without deposits and white wine spritzer-colored," says veterinarian Melanie Pfeffer.In peritonitis, the fluid is instead "yellow, viscous, and purulent."In addition, veterinarians examine other parameters: leukocytes, possibly lactate and total protein, says Pfeffer.Too many white blood cells (leukocytes) is a sign that the immune system is fighting inflammation.These should not occur in the peritoneal fluid."With Miss Robin, however, the number was around 200,000 per microliter," remembers Melanie Pfeffer.The microliter is one thousandth of a milliliter.Too high a lactate, i.e. lactic acid, value indicates a lack of oxygen supply to tissues and organs."In connection with peritonitis, this is another inflammatory parameter," says Pfeffer.Too much total protein (total protein) can indicate tumors, too low a value to inflammation and disorders of the intestine.The first goal of veterinary treatment is to reduce inflammatory reactions."That's why anti-inflammatory drugs are used, such as flunixin meglumine," says Dr.Dagmar S. Trachsel."If there is bacterial contamination, antibiotics are also given, sometimes for several weeks - depending on the type of bacteria."If, on the other hand, worm infestation is suspected to be the cause, the horse should be dewormed, according to Trachsel, "so that the migration of the larvae is interrupted".Sometimes it makes sense to take the horse to the clinic and rinse the abdominal cavity with sterile saline solution (see also the section on residual risk of adhesive).School horse Miss Robin was in the clinic for about ten days for such treatment.It depends on the individual case of illness whether an operation (e.g. for colic) is necessary.How good the chances of recovery are also depends on the cause.Successful therapy is difficult in the case of massive contamination of the abdominal cavity with bacteria and a corresponding inflammatory reaction.If the inflammation is less pronounced and the cause has been eliminated, the chances of recovery are quite good."The only thing that can be prevented is parasitic peritonitis," says Barbara Elmore.Here it is important to prevent a massive worm infestation through regular and targeted deworming in foals and young horses and later to have a good concept for parasite control.Elmore always advises selective deworming.All other causes cannot be prevented.In order to dilute so-called inflammation products, the abdominal cavity is rinsed with saline solution."This procedure is important because the parts of the intestine can quickly stick together, especially due to fibrin," says veterinarian Melanie Pfeffer.Fibrin is like the glue in blood clotting."This can lead to significant impairment of digestion."Complications after a healed peritonitis are not uncommon, says Dr.Dagmar S. Trachsel: "Adhesion of the abdominal organs to the peritoneum is common. These adhesions can impede the normal movement of the intestine, resulting in repeated colic."That can't be treated.Barbara Elmore is a veterinarian at the Munich Airport Equine Clinic.Her focus is on emergency and intensive care medicine, internal medicine and emergency surgery including colic operations.pferdeklinikmuenchen.dedrDagmar Senta Trachsel is a specialist in internal medicine at the equine clinic at the Freie Universität (FU) Berlin.vetmed.fu-berlin.deMelanie Pfeffer works as an assistant veterinarian at the horse clinic in Parsdorf.Her specialties are general and emergency medicine as well as veterinary chiropractic.pferdeklinik-inparsdorf.deTornado Master helps with paddock fence constructionCoughing horses in the pasture.What are the reasons for seasonal wheezing?© 2022 CAVALLO is part of Motor Presse Stuttgart GmbH & Co. KGFurther offers from Motor Presse Stuttgart GmbH & Co. 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