Large-volume pneumoperitoneum and septic peritonitis secondary to splenic abscess rupture in a dog

An 11-year-old spayed female American pit bull terrier mixed breed dog was presented because of hyporexia and abdominal distension. The dog had large-volume free peritoneal gas on imaging and septic neutrophilic exudate on abdominocentesis. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a ruptured splenic mass draining purulent material. A splenectomy was performed and the abdomen was lavaged. Culture samples grew an anaerobic Gram-positive rod. The dog was discharged 4 days after surgery with no residual problems noted 1 week later. To our knowledge, this is the first report of large-volume pneumoperitoneum and septic peritonitis secondary to rupture of a splenic abscess.