Cat Hernia Symptoms & Treatment Methods: A Comprehensiv

Cat Hernia Symptoms: Cats with hernias may exhibit signs such as lying on their side, avoiding placing their belly on the ground, and experiencing abnormal defecation. It is crucial to have a cat examined promptly when any unusual symptoms are observed.

1. Umbilical Hernia

The umbilical hernia occurs when abdominal organs protrude through the umbilical cord and separate from the umbilical skin.

[Causes]

Congenital defects in umbilical development, incomplete closure of the umbilicus, excessive tension in the umbilicus, a short umbilical cord, or infection.

[Symptoms]

A soft, painless, and nonheatproducing circular bulge appears around the navel. The hernia can be felt through palpation, and the contents can return to the abdominal cavity by pressing on the hernia sac or changing the cat's position. This type of hernia is reversible. In some cases, the hernia contents may become adhered or blocked, causing the sac wall to feel tense. Pressing or changing the position of the cat may not allow the contents to return. If the incarcerated hernia contains the intestines, it may present symptoms of acute abdomen.

[Treatment]

Surgical repair: After general anesthesia, the cat is placed on its back with the surgical area disinfected. A Tshaped incision is made on the skin over the hernia sac, and the sac is opened to reveal the hernia contents. The contents are carefully returned through the hernia hole. If the hernia ring is too small, it can be expanded and then repositioned. If there are adhesions or necrosis in the hernia contents, they should be removed, and the contents should be repositioned. The hernia ring should be repaired, the hernia hole should be sealed, and the abdominal wall should be sutured.

2. Inguinal Hernia

The inguinal hernia happens when abdominal organs protrude through the inguinal ring, known as an inguinal hernia.

[Causes]

Congenital enlargement of the inguinal ring or the expansion of the inguinal ring due to increased abdominal pressure.

[Symptoms]

Single or bilateral inguinal swellings, the size of which depends on the contents of the hernia. A reducible hernia feels soft, painless, and warm to the touch; an irreducible hernia feels hot and painful, with a tense hernia sac. If the hernia contains the intestines and becomes obstructed, it may lead to acute abdomen symptoms, which can be severe.

[Diagnosis]

In addition to the history and symptoms of the hernia, Xrays, Xray enterography, cystocentesis, or local puncture may be performed.

[Treatment]

Surgical reduction: After general anesthesia, the cat is placed on its back with the lower abdomen and inguinal area disinfected. The incision is made along the midline of the lower back, extending from the pubic symphysis forward to cross over the hernia sac. The skin over the hernia sac is pulled towards the midline to ensure the incision is naturally located over or near the hernia sac. The subcutaneous tissue is bluntly separated to expose the hernia sac and inguinal ring. The sac is opened, and the hernia contents are accepted. After the hernia contents are returned to the abdominal cavity, the hernia sac is tightened, ligated, and the excess hernia sac removed.

The inguinal ring is closed in two layers: in the first layer, the internal oblique muscle and the rectus abdominis are sutured to the inguinal ligament using the knotting method to close the internal ring; in the second layer, the fissures of the external oblique aponeurosis are connected together using the knotting method to close the external ring. When closing the skin incision, attention is paid to eliminate subcutaneous dead spaces.

If the cat's condition is severe, it is best to take the cat to a veterinary hospital for examination. Related cat knowledge: The Difference Between Alopecia and Ringworm in Cats