4429. Case Study. Acquired diaphragmatic hernia in a cat in Myanmar

DATE: 8 JAN 2025

PATIENT: Domestic short-haired cat, F, 5 years. Resident in Myanmar.
HISTORY: 6 months ago, the cat was hit by a car. Difficulty in breathing for the past 6 months. Vets were consulted.

VET:  Dr Thet Hmue Kyaw, BVSc (Yesin).

1. Signs. Eating,drinking,urination and defaecation are normal.
2. Auscultation. Lung sounds normal but dyspnoea (difficulty in breathing).
3. Abdominal palpation. Stomach and liver not palpable.
 

4. X-rays. Stomach and small intestines, liver and spleen are present in the thoracic cavity (chest), indicating a diaphragmatic hernia.

5. Diagnosis: Acquired diaphragmatic hernai.
6. Treatment: Surgery by specialists. Specialists fees are costly while the surgical and anaesthetic risks are very high. Low chances of survival.

7. Advice to owner: Complications of surgery include death on the operating table and heart failure when the above-mentioned organs are separated from the lungs and heart as scarred tissues stick them together. Scarred tissues have had formed for the past 6 months.

In trauma cases, adhesions may form between the lungs and any herniated abdominal contents after approximately seven days. These adhesions will affect the ability of the lungs to inflate properly. The longer the corrective surgery is delayed, the more complicated and dangerous it becomes.

8. Conclusion. The owner took the cat home.

6 months of Difficult Breathing (dyspnoea) in a 5-year-old female cat in Myanmar.

A BE KIND TO PETS Veterinary Educational Video is created by:
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow) on 11 Jan 2025 to educate owners and vet students.

UPDATE AT:

 https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2025/01/4429-case-study-acquired-diaphragmatic.html

 

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The hernia must be corrected surgically. This surgery is often done in referral centers by surgical and anesthesia specialists. 

In congenital forms, surgical intervention as early as possible is important to prevent organ entrapment or scarring between the intestines and the chest cavity. 

If the patient stabilizes with medical treatment, is it possible to avoid surgery?

In trauma cases, adhesions may form between the lungs and any herniated abdominal contents after approximately seven days. These adhesions will affect the ability of the lungs to inflate properly. The longer the corrective surgery is delayed, the more complicated and dangerous it becomes. However, each case needs to be assessed individually.