566 



THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



which dogs are but little subject. Even wounds, which in the horse and other animals result in 

 inflammation of the peritoneum, in the dog heal kindly. 



Causes. It may occur from the extension of inflammation from other organs, or be the result 

 of kicks, blows, or severe falls. 



Peritonitis is seen both in an acute and chronic form, but more frequently in the latter. In 

 the acute stage, after rigors and all the other symptoms of high fever, in which the dog conducts 

 himself almost similarly to a case of enteritis, the abdomen, if examined, will be found swollen, 

 tense, and tympanitic and excessively tender, not in any one spot, but all over. There is even 

 more tenderness on pressure than in enteritis. 



The diagnosis is at first difficult, but after a time lymph becomes effused into the sac, and 

 there is then no doubt of the case. 



The treatment is the same as that for enteritis, with which, indeed, it is often associated. 

 Cases of acute peritonitis usually end in death. The chronic form may follow the acute, but is 

 more often quite a distinct disease. 



Symptoms. There is little evidence of pain or even uneasiness, there is deterioration of the 

 general health, and some tenderness on pressure, with frequent attacks of diarrhoea, but there 

 is little else to lead to a proper diagnosis of the case until ascites or dropsy ensues. (See Dropsy.) 



