Hernia, Acquired Diaphragmatic

Acquired diaphragmatic hernia

Image of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia with displaced intestine in a dog by Cornell Veterinary Medicine

Small animals

  • Common sequele to road trafic accident in small animals
  • In small animals the muscle part of diaphragm tends to rupture
  • Many of the abdominal viscera may herniate into the thoracic cavity, liver and small intestine most commonly
  • May be undetected for some time before clinical signs develop
  • Clinical signs:
    • Dyspnoea
    • Ascites
    • Hydrothorax
    • Chylothorax
    • Gastric tympany
    • Intestinal obstruction
  • In chronic lesions margins of the tear are often fibrous and smooth with or without adhesions to the viscera

Horses

  • Usually involves tendinous part of the diaphragm
  • Most develop abdominal pain rather than dyspnoea