A hernia is a protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening in the wall that normally contains it. For the gastrointestinal system the important ones are hernias through the esophageal hiatus (sliding and paraesophageal hiatal hernias) and hernias that can trap bowel: diaphragmatic, umbilical, inguinal, scrotal and perineal. Most are not emergencies, but a hernia that traps and strangulates stomach or intestine can quickly kill a dog, and recognizing that moment matters most.
Key facts
Hernia (hiatal, paraesophageal, bowel) at a glance- True hernia: a hernial ring (the defect), a sac (peritoneal lining) and contents.
- Hiatal hernia: type I (sliding) is the most common; brachycephalic breeds are overrepresented and Chinese Shar-Peis are predisposed.
- Classic presentation: a young brachycephalic dog with regurgitation, hypersalivation or vomiting that worsens with excitement or exercise, sometimes with aspiration pneumonia.
- Bowel hernias: traumatic diaphragmatic hernia after a road accident; umbilical hernia in puppies; inguinal hernia in middle-aged small-breed bitches; perineal hernia in older intact males.
- Emergency: an irreducible, painful hernia with vomiting or shock (strangulation), a stomach that bloats in the thorax, or a bladder trapped in a perineal hernia.
- Zoonotic or reportable: no.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 3 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 31 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.