Some patients with severe abdominal trauma require surgery to define the extent of injury and attempt repair of the problem, remembering the caveats discussed previously.13

  • Surgical management includes an approach through the ventral midline under general anesthesia with the dog in dorsal recumbency, to expose the abdominal cavity.
  • A complete abdominal exploratory is necessary to define all injuries. Routine exploratory techniques used for people are appropriate for dogs.
  • Surgical management will depend on the injuries noted. Expect hemoabdomen, liver and spleen trauma with hemorrhage, major vessel injuries with hemorrhage, bowel perforation, hollow viscus injuries, urinary tract injuries, and abdominal wall injuries. Repair of injuries in the dog is essentially the same as repair in human casualties.
  • Abdominal wall closure is in 3 layers: 0 non-absorbable simple interrupted linea alba closure; 2-0 absorbable simple continuous subcutaneous closure; routine skin closure.