Evaluation of the safety of early or late enteral nutrition in canine septic peritonitis

Septic peritonitis is a commonly treated condition in the veterinary critical care unit with a classically high mortality rate, although newer reports have shown a more favorable prognosis with a 64 to 85% survival rate. Negative prognostic indicators include hypoalbuminemia, intraoperative hypotension, and failure of lactate clearance. Animals with septic peritonitis often have prolonged anorexia postoperatively and have frequent gastrointestinal signs, including vomiting or regurgitation. Nutritional support is often considered in patients with septic peritonitis due to the high incidence of anorexia in this population as well as the association between hypoalbuminemia and poor outcome.
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Surgery (Orthopedics) Source Type: research