PERITONITIS
Peritonitis is the inflammation (puffiness) of the peritoneum. It has numerous causes but in dogs, trauma is the principal cause. Trauma can originate internally or externally.Externally, wounds resulting from accidents, dog fights, foreign body perforating the abdomen or gastrointestinal tract.
Internally, peritonitis can result from infection of female genitalia, cystitis and ulcerative colitis. Paracentesis and laparotomy may lead to inflammation of peritoneum. Peritoneum has an extraordinary power of absorption so that although inflammation may be localized, it soon becomes generalized. In acute peritonitis, there is usually generalized illness with high temperature. The abdomen is swollen and painful on palpation. Because of the pain, the patient moves about cautiously. Urination and defecation may cease. Respiration is usually superficial and chiefly hostile in character. Very often, there is vomition (emesis) associated with retching. Mucous membrane will look dirty red in colour. There is weak pulse which will also be small and feeble. On paracentesis, a cloudy serous or purulent fluid containing fibrinous flocculi is obtained. Increase in abdominal size occurs only in chronic peritonitis. This will lead to weakening of the abdominal muscle but will no longer be painful on palpation and the patient will become completely apathetic and lethargic. Because peritonitis is often second to other conditions, recognition of original disease will result to suspicion of this complication. Radiography will reveal presence of air in peritoneal cavity.
Treatment
Prevention of peritonitis is the best approach to a dog suffering a condition that will result to peritonitis for example drainage during laparotomy and infusion with antibiotics after abdominal surgery.
RHINITIS
Rhinitis is the inflammation (puffiness) of the mucous membrane of the nose and it results from inhalation of specific irritants like dust, foreign body, irritating gases or smoke. It can also occur following vomiting due to vomitus getting into the nose. It is observed in canine distemper, tumors, mycotic infection, secondary to pneumonitis and feline rhinotracheitis in cats. It can also result from maxillary sinus disease, dental disease, allergy and congenital anomalies like cleft palate. The most common symptoms comprise of serous discharge which after a few days turn mucopurulent. Wherever there is a purulent unilateral rhinitis, the possibility of the foreign body must be borne in mind. Other symptoms of rhinitis include rubbing of affected side of the nose with pores or against object in order to get rid of irritant or pain. Rhinitis produced by infection or other causes is almost always bilateral. There will be sneezing and snorting (to force air noisily through the nostrils breathing in and out) and there may be sufficient swelling of nasal mucosa that the passages are occluded and the patient tries to breath with the mouth and cheeks being blown out during expiration. Rarely, there is any increase in temperature in simple catarrhal rhinitis.Treatment
In rhinitis, the underlying disease should be specifically treated where possible and in most case if specific course is identified, rhinitis goes spontaneously.
Supportive treatment: Use of nose drops or sprays which may contain any one or combination of the following substances such as:
Vasoconstrictor usually ephedrine
Cortisone or related compounds
Antibacterial agents
Antihistamines like flunixin and tripelanamine.
Sprays are easier to use than drops.