Clinical findings, diagnostic test results, and treatment outcome in cats with hiatal hernia: 31 cases (1995‐2018)

Abstract

Background Information regarding clinical signs, assessment, treatment, and outcome in cats with hiatal hernia (HH) is limited. Objectives To characterize the clinical presentation of HH and medical and surgical outcomes in a cohort of affected cats. Animals Thirty‐one client‐owned cats with HH. Methods Medical records of cats with HH were retrospectively reviewed for signalment, history, results of diagnostic tests, details of surgical and medical treatments, complications, and outcome. Long‐term follow‐up data were obtained by telephone communication. Relationships between clinical variables and outcome were evaluated by regression analysis. Results Type I HH was present in 85.7% (24/28) of cats, and 64.5% (20/31) were >3 years of age at diagnosis. Twenty‐one of 31 (67.7%) cats underwent surgical repair including phrenoplasty, esophagopexy, and left‐sided gastropexy, and 10 of 31 cats were treated medically without surgery. Concurrent illness was common, and 77.4% cats had comorbidities. All cats survived to discharge, and median time to death or follow‐up was 959 days (range, 3‐4015 days). Cats treated medically survived longer than cats treated surgically, with median time to death or follow‐up of 2559 and 771 days, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Type I HH is the most common type of HH in cats. A congenital etiology is possible, but many cats with HH were >3 years of age at diagnosis and suffered from comorbidities, including upper airway obstruction. Case selection and the presence of comorbidities likely influenced the outcome. Cats with HH may not be diagnosed until disease is advanced or concurrent illness draws attention to clinical signs.

Single pedicle advancement flap for treatment of feline stenotic nares: technique and results in five cases

“…[1][2][3] These abnormalities result in variable amounts of respiratory distress, stertor/stridor, exercise intolerance, and other cranio facial and gastrointestinal health problems. [3][4][5] In brachy cephalic cats, particularly Persian cats and exotic breeds, brachycephalic abnormalities have been seen but few clinical reports have been published. 4,6 In 2012, Corgozihno et al 6 documented a soft palate elongation in a Persian cat presenting with recurrent epi sodes of respiratory distress and pulmonary edema.…”

Laparoscopic correction of sliding hiatal hernia in eight dogs: Description of technique, complications, and short‐term outcome

“…Dogs in our study were 29 months of age, which is older than the age reported in most of the studies. [1][2][3][4][5][6]11,19 The two large breed dogs in our study were 151 and 125 months of age at the time of surgery, explaining the difference with our small sample. Correction of the upper airway was not always attempted first in the brachycephalic breeds, following Mayhew et al 5 Fifty percent of the cases were converted to an open laparotomy.…”

“…Most of our cases involved brachycephalic dogs, similarly to cases reported in previous studies. [1][2][3][4][5][6]11,19 Two large breed dogs were presented for chronic gastroesophageal refluxes that were not responding to medical treatment. Dogs in our study were 29 months of age, which is older than the age reported in most of the studies.…”

“…Hiatal hernia is a cause of gastroesophageal reflux in dogs and cats. [1][2][3][4][5][6] It can be congenital, but most hiatal hernias are acquired and are related to upper airway obstruction. 3,[7][8][9][10] Hiatal hernias are usually sliding hernias in dogs, with the lower esophageal sphincter moving in and out of the thoracic cavity exposing the distal esophagus to negative pressure.…”

“…3,[7][8][9][10] Hiatal hernias are usually sliding hernias in dogs, with the lower esophageal sphincter moving in and out of the thoracic cavity exposing the distal esophagus to negative pressure. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Paraesophageal hernia with a megaesophagus has been reported in dogs. 11,12 Medical treatment and correction of any underlying conditions are usually attempted first to prevent gastroesophageal reflux.…”