Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Clinical anatomy and surgical repair of prepubic hernia in dogs and cats.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Beittenmiller, Menolly R et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
Plain-English summary
A prepubic hernia is a type of hernia that can happen in dogs and cats, usually after a serious injury to the lower abdomen, like being hit by a car or in a fight. This injury can cause a tear in a tendon, leading to a bulge in the belly area. The signs of this condition can be vague, making it hard to spot during a regular check-up, so vets often rely on a detailed physical exam along with X-rays or ultrasounds to make a diagnosis. There are several ways to fix this type of hernia, and if there aren't any serious additional injuries, pets generally have a good chance of recovery after treatment.
Abstract
Prepubic hernia is a traumatic hernia in small animals, most often associated with severe trauma to the caudal abdomen. Common causes include vehicular trauma, dog fights, and kicks by large animals. Rupture of the prepubic tendon in dogs and of its equivalent in cats results in a ventral abdominal hernia. Due to the traumatic nature of the injury, concurrent injuries are frequently seen. Clinical signs of herniation are often nonspecific, and the resultant hernia may not be readily apparent during routine physical examination. This being so, diagnosis is often based on a thorough physical examination in conjunction with abdominal radiography and, possibly, abdominal ultrasonography. Multiple methods of repair of prepubic hernia have been reported, and survival rates are quite good if concurrent injuries are not severe.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19887386/