TABLE 88-2.

Underlying Causes of Secondary Peritonitis in Dogs

Organ System Affected	Disease Process
Gastrointestinal system	Gastrointestinal surgical site dehiscence (e.g., resection and anastomosis) Penetrating abdominal trauma Nonsteroidal or steroidal anti-inflammatory drug toxicity Foreign bodies Gastrointestinal neoplasia Eosinophilic gastroenteritis Torsion Intussusception
Genitourinary tract	Ruptured pyometra Surgical site dehiscence (e.g., ovariohysterectomy) Ruptured prostatic abscess Necrotizing bacterial cystitis
Hepatobiliary system	Gallbladder rupture (especially animals with necrotizing bacterial cholecystitis) Hepatic abscess rupture
Other abdominal organs	Abscess rupture
Umbilicus	Ascending infection in neonates