Most people understand the word Hernia as a painful condition where an organ protrudes through its proper body cavity. In humans, a hernia can be caused by a combination of muscle weakness, strain, chronic coughing or injury. In cats, however…

It’s usually caused by injury. 9 Month old kitten Flynn got hit by a car. From the outside, It could be seen that Flynn’s tail was missing and had multiple wounds. However, Flynn’s internal organs were a different story.

Injuries such as getting hit by a car, whether sustained by human or cat, can cause severe internal damage. Delicate organs such as the heart, lungs and kidneys can suffer trauma. Ribs can be fractured or broken, causing additional internal damage.

Flynn’s tail was amputated in February, and his wounds were addressed. It wasn’t until months later when Flynn was diagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia. A suspected foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract was discovered through x-rays. Flynn’s intestines had migrated to his chest. Flynn was very lethargic and coughing often. In mid-April 2016, Flynn’s lung collapsed.

The diaphragm separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. A defect in the diaphragm allowed abdominal organs to enter Flynn’s chest cavity. Several loops of small intestine and large intestine (colon) were identified in his chest. The treatment option is surgery to correct the defect in the diaphragm.

The diaphragmatic hernia was repaired with no complications at All Pets Medical Center in late April. Dr. Rupley removed the abdominal contents from the thorax, and put them back in the abdomen. The defect in the diaphragm was then repaired, preventing anything from re-entering the thorax/chest.

Flynn was monitored overnight after intensive oxygen therapy, and he was able to go home. Flynn was full of energy by his recheck appointment in mid-May, and we are thrilled with his recovery!