Surgical timing in dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum is not related to blood product use, incidence of adverse events, or survival to discharge

Objective: To investigate differences in outcomes between dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum (SH) based on surgical timing and identify patient factors that may contribute to surgical timing decisions. Methods: Retrospective study of dogs undergoing surgery for spontaneous hemoperitoneum at a single institution from 2009 to 2024, excluding intraoperative euthanasias. Clinical and laboratory findings, timing of surgery and hospitalization, adverse events, and survival were recorded. Cases were grouped based on time from presentation to surgery, with emergent surgery (ES) defined as < 12 hours, subemergent surgery (SES) as 12 to 24 hours, and delayed surgery (DS) as > 24 hours. Results: 99 cases were included, with 51 cases in the ES group and 24 in each of the SES and DS groups. Lower peripheral total solids was a predictor of ES (OR, 0.401; 95% CI, 0.219 to 0.733) or SES (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.166 to 0.657) compared to DS. Dogs in the ES group were more likely to undergo splenectomy than those in the DS group (OR, 5.52; 95% CI, 1.60 to 19.1). No significant differences in blood product use or incidence of adverse events were found between groups. Survival to discharge was 93.9%, with no difference between groups. Conclusions: Surgical timing is not a predictor of adverse events or survival to discharge in dogs undergoing surgery for SH. Clinical Relevance: Decisions regarding surgical timing in SH should be made on a case-by-case basis based on patient stability. Survival to discharge in this population was excellent regardless of surgical timing, and most adverse events encountered were minor.