CONGENITAL PERITONEOPERICARDIAL HERNIAS I N 16 CATS - PART 1 - LITERATURE-REVIEW AND CASES

Sixteen cases of peritoneopericardial hernias (ppH) in cats are descri bed in context and comparison with 58 cases published in the literatur e. 12 of our cats (75 %) belonged to the Persian breed. The age ranged between 4 weeks and 16 years. Eight animals (50 %) were less than or equal to 1 year of age. 69 % of all cats (n = 11) were male. The gener al clinical findings as well as auscultation, ECG, radiographic and so nographic findings are reported. The kittens with less than 3 month of age were in poor physical conditions. In 6 cats the breathing pattern was changed, in 9 cats heart sounds were muffled on one or both sides of the thorax. Systolic heart murmurs were observed in 2 cats. in 6 a nimals signs of right or left heart enlargement and/or arrhythmias wer e detected electrocardiographically Typical radiographic changes could be established in all cases. Sonography was the most valuable techniq ue for diagnosing ppH. Mainly liver and the gallbladder were easy to i dentify because of their characteristic echo pattern. In five cases di fferent contrast-techniques (Bariumsulfat per os, non-selective angioc ardiography, positive contrast peritoneography) were applied. Surgery was performed in 8 of the 16 cats with ppH using always the midline la parotomy as surgical approach. The most important factor regarding sur gical success was the length of time the condition persisted and coinc ident cardiovascular damages. The most frequently herniated organs wer e liver and liver together with the gallbladder. Small intestine and s pleen were seen less often. Because of poor general condition four cat s were euthanized.