MSD Manual

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Common Causes of Peritonitis in Horses

Common Causes of Peritonitis in Horses

  • Injury caused by infections, chemical toxins, or parasites

  • Leakage from damaged spleen, liver, or umbilical organs (patent urachus)

  • Leakage of material from damaged intestines (colic, enteritis, colitis)

  • Post-surgical complications (trauma, failure of sutures, foreign bodies)

  • Rupture of abdominal bacterial abscess (infection by Rhodococcus, Streptococcus, etc)

  • Rupture of the intestines, stomach, bladder, or rectum

  • Traumatic perforation or injury to the abdomen