Hernia, Acquired Diaphragmatic
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Acquired diaphragmatic hernia
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