Analytical Study of Postoperative Septic Peritonitis Outcomes in Dogs at Teaching Hospitals Across Three Geopolitical Zones

Postoperative septic peritonitis is one of the most devastating complications of gastrointestinal and abdominal surgery in dogs, with mortality rates approaching 50% even in well-resourced settings. This multi-center analytical study examines the incidence, causative factors, diagnostic markers, management strategies, and clinical outcomes of postoperative septic peritonitis in dogs at teaching hospitals in the South East, South West, and North Central geopolitical zones of Nigeria between January 2021 and December 2023. Fifty-one confirmed cases of postoperative septic peritonitis were identified from retrospective and prospective case recruitment. Diagnostic confirmation employed abdominocentesis cytology, peritoneal fluid glucose-to-blood glucose ratio, and bacterial culture. Intestinal dehiscence following enterotomy or intestinal anastomosis was the most common underlying cause in 63% of cases. Peritoneal fluid white cell count above 3000 cells/microliter and peritoneal-blood glucose differential exceeding 20 mg/dL were the most reliable early diagnostic markers. Open peritoneal drainage combined with lavage was employed in 31% of cases and was associated with a significantly improved 30-day survival rate compared to simple primary closure. Overall survival to discharge was 49%. Preoperative hypoalbuminemia below 2.0 g/dL was the strongest predictor of mortality. These findings provide critically needed multi-center analytical data on postoperative peritonitis in Nigerian teaching hospital dogs and support evidence-based refinement of perioperative risk assessment and surgical technique in abdominal surgery training. Keywords: septic peritonitis, postoperative complication, canine surgery, teaching hospital, peritoneal drainage.