A hernia results from a tear or defect in a muscular wall, allowing the contents contained behind the wall to protrude through the opening in the muscle. In dogs, the four most prevalent types of hernias include umbilical hernias, inguinal hernias, perineal hernias, and diaphragmatic hernias. In cats, diaphragmatic hernias are the types most commonly seen.
Umbilical hernias occur on the midline of the dog’s stomach at the location of the umbilicus, or the belly button. These usually result from trauma to the muscle wall in this area that occurs when the bitch severs the umbilical cord after birth. Umbilical hernias pose no real health problems, since fatty tissue is usually the only item that ever protrudes through the opening. These hernias can be sutured and repaired at the time of other elective surgeries.
Inguinal hernias occur in the inguinal region of the abdomen, or that region where the abdominal musculature meets that of the hind legs. They are seen as birth defects or secondary to trauma. These hernias are more serious than umbilical hernias, since the herniated material often includes intestines. As a result, normal digestive processes can be disrupted. Treatment involves surgical replacement of the herniated material back inside the abdomen and suturing the defective muscle.
Perineal hernias result from a weakening of the musculature in the region located beneath the tail on either side of the anus. Seen primarily in older male dogs that have not been neutered, perineal hernias can involve portions of the colon and cause impactions and elimination problems if not surgically corrected. Because the hormone testosterone seems to play a role in the development of these hernias, neutering these dogs is also recommended to prevent a recurrence. By far the most serious type of hernia is the diaphragmatic hernia. The diaphragm is the thick wall of muscle that separates the thorax or chest cavity from the abdominal contents. Tears or ruptures occurring in this band of muscle, resulting either from inherited defects or from traumatic incidents, can allow liver, intestines, and/or other abdominal contents to herniate into the chest cavity. When this happens, the pressure applied to the crowded lungs and heart results in, among other things, breathing difficulties, weakness, and/or gastrointestinal disturbances.
Definitive diagnosis of a diaphragmatic hernia can be made by coupling history, clinical signs, and a physical examination with radiographic X-ray findings. Surgical repair of the torn diaphragm will alleviate the signs and usually result in a complete recovery.
Umbilical hernias occur on the midline of the dog’s stomach at the location of the umbilicus, or the belly button. These usually result from trauma to the muscle wall in this area that occurs when the bitch severs the umbilical cord after birth. Umbilical hernias pose no real health problems, since fatty tissue is usually the only item that ever protrudes through the opening. These hernias can be sutured and repaired at the time of other elective surgeries.
Inguinal hernias occur in the inguinal region of the abdomen, or that region where the abdominal musculature meets that of the hind legs. They are seen as birth defects or secondary to trauma. These hernias are more serious than umbilical hernias, since the herniated material often includes intestines. As a result, normal digestive processes can be disrupted. Treatment involves surgical replacement of the herniated material back inside the abdomen and suturing the defective muscle.
Perineal hernias result from a weakening of the musculature in the region located beneath the tail on either side of the anus. Seen primarily in older male dogs that have not been neutered, perineal hernias can involve portions of the colon and cause impactions and elimination problems if not surgically corrected. Because the hormone testosterone seems to play a role in the development of these hernias, neutering these dogs is also recommended to prevent a recurrence. By far the most serious type of hernia is the diaphragmatic hernia. The diaphragm is the thick wall of muscle that separates the thorax or chest cavity from the abdominal contents. Tears or ruptures occurring in this band of muscle, resulting either from inherited defects or from traumatic incidents, can allow liver, intestines, and/or other abdominal contents to herniate into the chest cavity. When this happens, the pressure applied to the crowded lungs and heart results in, among other things, breathing difficulties, weakness, and/or gastrointestinal disturbances.
Definitive diagnosis of a diaphragmatic hernia can be made by coupling history, clinical signs, and a physical examination with radiographic X-ray findings. Surgical repair of the torn diaphragm will alleviate the signs and usually result in a complete recovery.
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