2015 Volume 24 Issue 4 Pages 176-179
A 9-year and 10-month-old spayed female Beagle dog presented with anorexia, vomiting, and ascites following intestinal resection and anastomosis that had been performed to treat a small intestinal adenocarcinoma. Cytological examination of the abdominal fluid revealed bacteria and yeast-like fungal organisms with pseudohyphae. Fungal and bacterial peritonitis due to dehiscence of the anastomotic site was diagnosed. Candida albicans was identified on fungal culture. The dog underwent a second laparotomy to repair the dehiscence, and peritoneal lavage was performed. Antifungal therapy with fluconazole was administered after surgery. The dog responded well to therapy, showing full recovery with no recurrence. Intestinal surgery, antimicrobial administration, and placement of an intraperitoneal drainage tube were considered to be associated with the pathogenesis of fungal peritonitis in this case. Candida peritonitis should be considered when empirical therapy for bacterial peritonitis is ineffective, especially in cases with predisposing risk factors. A high mortality rate is associated with Candida peritonitis in humans. Although this condition is uncommon in veterinary medicine, further information about Candida peritonitis in dogs is needed.
