Jenny, I'll be sending good vibes to Persil, hoping that her operation tomorrow repairs her problem. Hugs to you too, this is so hard for you, you care so deeply for Persil - stay strong and let us know how Persil is as soon as you can.
Great information Becky - it certainly means that Persil should have a decent chance of getting over this.Originally Posted by zanniesmom
Jenny, this can be a birth defect and not have symptoms for quite some time. If you vet has a book called The Feline Patient, by Gary Norsworthy, it explains it there. A quote: A diaprhagmatic hernia is a rent in the diaphragm through which one or more abdominal organs may pass. The most common cause is trauma, usually associated with automobile related injury or a fall from several stories. A sudden increase in abdominal pressure directed cranially can tear the diaphragm at any point. It may also occur in a congenital form with communication between the abdomen and the pleural space or between the abdomen and the pericardium. Other congenital defects involving the heart may also occur with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Clinical signs may include tachypnea and orthopnea {fast breathing and only being able to breathe while sitting up}. Cats may become dyspneic {short of breath} immediately or a few hours later as more viscera enter the pleural space. Without treatment, some cats stabilize in a few days, adhesions form between the viscera and the diaphragm, and clinical signs are associated only with increased activity. This is the chronic form. These cats often become sedentary but may live for many years without surgical correction. The acute traumatic form produces dyspnea, which may increase over 1 to 2 days as more abdominal organs are displaced into the thorax. The congenital form is often diagnosed incidentally, but gaseous distention of organs within the pericardium may produce acute signs of dyspnea. The chronic form may produce only marked lethargy and shortness of breath on exercise.
The last line is "the prognosis for all forms of diaphragmatic hernia is good as long as shock and arrhythmias resolve and surgical repair is successful."
So, while this isn't good, there is really a good chance she may be successfully treated surgically. Sending board magic and prayers. Becky