Diaphragmatic hernia in horse: case report

The diaphragmatic hernia is a rare cause of colic in equine and may be congenital or acquired. The intestine is commonly involved in cases of diaphragmatic hernia, and clinical signs are related to the intestinal segment involved and the extension, obstruction may occur from a simple process to a strangulating. Often, clinical signs are characterized by acute abdominal whit severe pain, dyspnea and tachypnea. The diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia can be difficult, and in most cases only is established during surgery or at necropsy. This paper reports a diaphragmatic hernia case in a quarter horse stallion, with 14 years of age showing acute abdominal signs. The clinical examination showed tachycardia, tachypnea and absence of intestinal motility. Turbidity, increase of leukocytes and protein was observed in the analysis of peritoneal fluid. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, but due to the presence of hemorrhagic mesentery, intestinal ischemia, and irreducible incarceration of the jejunum in epiploic foramen, euthanasia was decided. Furthermore, at necropsy, was observed a diaphragmatic hernia with presence of the small intestine in the thorax.