🫁 Vet Surgery Guide 2025: Diaphragmatic Hernias in Dogs and Cats — Symptoms, Diagnosis & Surgical Treatment

When pets struggle to breathe or show strange signs after trauma, one possible cause is a diaphragmatic hernia—a serious, sometimes life-threatening condition that requires timely veterinary attention. I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, and in this 2025 veterinary guide, we’ll explore how to identify, diagnose, and treat diaphragmatic hernias in both dogs and cats. 🐶🐱

1. What is a Diaphragmatic Hernia?

The diaphragm is a thin muscle separating the chest (lungs, heart) from the abdomen (stomach, liver, intestines). A hernia occurs when part of an organ pushes through a weak spot or tear in the diaphragm, creating a hole. This can allow abdominal organs to enter the chest cavity, where they don’t belong. 🫁

These hernias may be:

• Traumatic: Caused by injury (e.g., hit by a car or fall)
• Congenital: Present at birth, especially in certain breeds

2. Types of Diaphragmatic Hernias

• Classic Diaphragmatic Hernia: Abdominal organs move into the chest through a tear in the diaphragm
• Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia (PPDH): Organs pass into the pericardial sac surrounding the heart—often congenital

Both types can compress the lungs and heart, leading to severe breathing or circulatory problems. ❤️🫀

3. Causes of Diaphragmatic Hernias

• 🚗 Trauma (car accident, fall, blunt injury)
• 🧬 Congenital defect (e.g., PPDH in kittens or puppies)
• 🐾 Sudden abdominal pressure or weakness in the diaphragm

4. Signs & Symptoms to Watch For

Symptoms depend on the severity and location of the hernia:

• ⚠️ Difficulty breathing or rapid, shallow breathing
• 💔 Irregular heart sounds (especially in PPDH)
• 😴 Lethargy or collapse
• 🍽️ Loss of appetite
• 🥵 Fever (if inflammation or organ damage occurs)
• 💨 Abdominal noises heard in the chest (a diagnostic clue!)

In mild or small congenital cases, no symptoms may be present—discovered incidentally during x-rays or surgery for another issue.

5. Diagnosing Diaphragmatic Hernias

Diagnosis typically includes:

• 🩺 Physical examination: Unusual breath sounds, chest "gurgling," dull lung sounds
• 🩻 X-rays: Key tool showing abnormal positioning of abdominal organs
• 🧪 Ultrasound: Clarifies organ placement in the chest or heart sac
• 🥤 Barium series: Highlights digestive organs with contrast dye

Advanced imaging confirms the hernia and rules out other thoracic conditions such as tumors or fluid buildup. 📊

6. Treatment: Surgery is Essential

Surgical repair is the only definitive treatment for diaphragmatic hernias:

• 🛠️ Reposition displaced organs back into the abdomen
• 🪡 Stitch the diaphragm closed
• 🧼 Remove or repair damaged organs (if blood supply was lost)

In cases of PPDH, the surgeon also closes the connection between the heart sac and abdomen to restore proper anatomy.

Risks of Surgery:

• 🫁 Breathing difficulties during anesthesia (due to lung compression)
• 🧫 Infection if damaged organs leak into the chest
• 🩸 Bleeding or complications from fragile tissue

7. Should You Wait to Do Surgery?

This depends on severity and symptoms. ⚖️

• If the pet is showing signs (trouble breathing, weakness), emergency surgery is needed.
• If discovered incidentally and the pet is stable, your vet may recommend imaging and scheduled repair.

Downside of waiting: The longer the organs remain in the wrong place, the more likely permanent damage occurs—especially if blood flow is impaired. Waiting risks loss of organ function and worse outcomes. ⌛

8. Surgical Recovery & Postoperative Care

Following surgery, your pet may need:

• 🏥 ICU-level care for oxygen therapy and monitoring
• 💉 Pain relief and antibiotics
• 🧼 Wound monitoring and limited activity for several weeks
• 📆 Follow-up imaging to ensure proper healing

Home Care Tips:

• 💤 Confine your pet to a quiet recovery area
• 🍲 Feed soft, digestible food to reduce pressure on the abdomen
• 👀 Monitor breathing, appetite, and incision daily
• 📞 Call your vet if you notice fever, distress, or loss of appetite

9. Prognosis After Surgery

With timely surgical repair, the prognosis is excellent. Once healed, most pets return to a completely normal life without long-term issues. ✅

10. Ask A Vet: 24/7 Help for Emergencies

If your pet is showing signs of trouble breathing, or if you've been told about a congenital hernia and need a second opinion, use Ask A Vet for immediate support. You’ll connect with a licensed veterinarian who can review symptoms, X-rays, and advise whether surgery is urgent. 📲

11. Summary Table

12. Final Thoughts

Diaphragmatic hernias are emergencies hiding in plain sight. If your pet is short of breath, shows reduced appetite, or has suspicious trauma history, don’t delay. Early detection and prompt surgical treatment save lives and restore comfort. 🩺

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Need real-time guidance? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app. We’re here when you need us most—day or night. 💙🐾