Peritoneal nutrition in dogs after intestinal resection: comparative study.

A total of 18 adult dogs were kept on peritoneal nutrition (PeN) for 30 days via peritoneal catheter. Eleven dogs were put on peritoneal nutrition immediately, receiving a caloric rate of 45 kcal/kg per day, half of which was supplied by glucose and the other half by 20% intralipid, along with 0.5 g/kg per day of protein, as well as ions, trace elements, and vitamins. Two-thirds of the glucose was administered separately. Seven other animals underwent an 80% resection of the small intestine and were kept on special oral nutrition for 6 weeks. After this time, peritoneal nutrition was applied with the same caloric rate as in the previous group but with a protein dose of 1 g/kg per day and administration of the nutrients every 6 hours. We found two cases of peritonitis in the group without intestinal resection, whereas no infectious outbreaks occurred in the group subjected to intestinal resection. This group showed an exacerbated nutritional state, with a consequently greater loss of weight and albumin and a negative nitrogen balance. The peritoneal membrane showed signs of cellular hyperplasia and hypertrophy following peritoneal nutrition. These phenomena disappeared 1 month after PeN was terminated.