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