diaphragmatic hernia

[Traci]

Christine, I hope you didn't think Davet and I strayed from the seriousness of Jerry's condition. (sometimes we go off on our own little discussions)

In light of your vet's newest assumption, it would be nearly impossible to say without getting in there to see. Even if the intestine had somehow attached to the lung lobe, I would think that resecting the intestine would be the priority enough to take the pressure off the lung and thereby giving it capacity. As long as the pressure remains, that lung may not be able to inflate on it's own, and may become more damaged as a result. As Davet mentioned, the slight jiggling to see if the intestine falls lower and below the lung might provide breathing relief, but it's only going to be a temporary fix.

It's also impossible to say if this were congenital as your vet surmised. I would think symptoms would have presented long before this, with obvious signs of ill health, poor growth development, continued vomiting, fever, lethargy, GI tract upsets, breathing problems, a host of other problems that would sure seem obvious during early development.

Anesthesia is a risk providing one lung is collapsed, but an experienced surgeon should be able to tell you more about that risk vs prediction of successful surgical correction, based on current x-rays, clinical signs, and vitals/health assessment.

As for costs, try talking with your vet about making payment arrangements. There are several ways you can approach this....ask a friend of family member for help (pay them back later)....your vet would probably take post-dated checks....especially if you can leave at least a down-payment for good measure.....sell something of value, etc.

I encourage you not to give up, since I've seen so many successful cases, I think it's worth everything to approach surgery and talk about this in detail with your vet.

[tinab1181]

At this point, the more I think about it, it's nearly impossible for me not to go through with the surgery. Both veterinarians that Jerry has gone to in the past seem as though they would be willing to do the surgery at about the same cost and with what seem to be the same qualifications, so at this point it's just trying to figure out who and when, but I'm thinking probably by next week at their earliest convenience. I just cannot imagine Jerry not being around. Honestly, after seeing the x-rays I don't know how he isn't in pain, or isn't showing signs of being in pain.

With any luck everything will be taken care of soon and I can rest a little easier.

By the way regarding Traci's comment that it may not be congenital, what do you believe could have caused it? He is very active, and has been known to go a little too fast and sliding off the coffee table or the couch while making a quick maneuver, but is it possible that he could have caused such a hernia like this? He's never shown any signs of trauma or injury before. And when he has escaped from home (twice), he seemed to have stayed in the front yard bushes for about a half hour and has never shown a scrape from a cat fight nor any other type of incident. It's just been so much to take in within a day, especially when I thought I had an asthmatic or allergic cat yesterday and this morning.

Sorry that I'm babbling, thank you again. And I was not offended, believe me even what seems to be off topic to you was still information regarding my kitten's condition and possible pain relief until surgery in my eyes. Thank you
Christine

[davet]

i asked at the ER clinic last night about it and they say it could have been there since birth (congental) and like you said it may have "tor" loose after jumping from a table etc...,,i guess you really have no choice but surgery..maybe if the adhesions has not come loose it would probably never been noticed exceppt on routing examination or radiograph.

[guest]

I would think symptoms would have presented long before this, with obvious signs of ill health, poor growth development, continued vomiting, fever, lethargy, GI tract upsets, breathing problems, a host of other problems that would sure seem obvious during early development.
.

Actually this isn't necessarily true. I got a kitty who suddenly crashed one year post HBC from a previously unknown DH, unsuspected despite that they spent extra time poking around in her belly while spaying her, checking out her pelvic canal and the other damage we knew about. Her stomach, intestines, and liver were all in her chest just a few months later through a smallish hernia near her spine.

Beauty's outcome wasn't a happy one, but she was an adult of indeterminate age who had been partially crushed in the original incident. I hope for MUCH better results for this baby and wish the best!!

[Traci]

I would think symptoms would have presented long before this, with obvious signs of ill health, poor growth development, continued vomiting, fever, lethargy, GI tract upsets, breathing problems, a host of other problems that would sure seem obvious during early development.

Actually this isn't necessarily true. I got a kitty who suddenly crashed one year post HBC from a previously unknown DH, unsuspected despite that they spent extra time poking around in her belly while spaying her, checking out her pelvic canal and the other damage we knew about. Her stomach, intestines, and liver were all in her chest just a few months later through a smallish hernia near her spine.

Christine asked about congenital, which is what my post was referring to. Since her kitten is only 7 months old and still in development, I would have suspected obvious symptoms occuring during early development had it been congenital, therefore, I'm not sure I agree with the vet....my guess was this may have been trauma-related. But, only Christine and her vet can determine that, and mainly upon what is discovered during surgery.

[tinab1181]

Hi all, just wanted to let you know that Jerry was going in for surgery tomorrow morning, assuming all goes to plan. With any luck we'll be back to "normal" soon. Thanks again and I'll keep you posted.

Wish us luck!
Christine

[Traci]

Christine, I'll be thinking of Jerry and you, sending good, healing thoughts....

[tinab1181]

Jerry is home and doing well. He had a hole in the diaphragm that was about and inch and a half in diameter, but they were able to pull his intestines and liver down, and he's breathing normally. You would think he would be a little bit more appreciative, but he vets said he began hissing before he was even fully conscious. And I thought I hated going to the doctor.

Thank you everyone, we couldn't be happier!
Christine and Jerry

[Traci]

That's wonderful news,....did your vet say if the intestine had in fact attached to the lung lobe, or was this just 'positional' due to the hole in the diaphragm?

[tinab1181]

Thankfully the intestines were not attached to the lung lobe, making it a bit easier for the vets. Jerry is doing great, the big trick seems to be keeping him from jumping onto things. You would think he would be in a lot more pain than he exhibits.

Christine