If your cat is diagnosed with a hernia, surgery will likely be required to correct the issue. Here, our Long Island vets list types of hernias seen in cats, the process involved in surgery, and which factors will determine how much your cat's hernia surgery will cost.
Hernias in Cats
Though cat hernias are uncommon, when they do occur they are generally in your kitten's body when they are born. Additionally, trauma, internal damage, injury, weak muscle walls or flawed muscles that allow organs and tissues to pass through can also cause hernias.
A hernia can be defined as a collection of fat, intestine, or other internal organs that emerge through a hole in the abdominal cavity. Pregnancy, constipation or excessive bloating are other potential causes. A hernia can also occur if the wrong type of suture material is used or suture lines are incorrectly closed after a spay operation.
You may have heard that some cats will develop a hernia after they've been spayed. While it's true that being too active in the early days following the spaying procedure can lead to hernias in some cats, this risk is minimal if you keep your cat indoors and relatively calm for about 14 days following the operation.
Hernias can be complicated or uncomplicated. Complicated hernias happen when complications to the hernia, such as infection, strangulation or obstruction, occur.
A strangulated hernia occurs when the internal organ tissue penetrates the muscle wall, becoming trapped there. Circulation is severed, tissue dies, and the dead and dying tissues release toxins.
Uncomplicated hernias occur when organ tissue can freely slip back and forth through the muscle wall but do not cause any issues. Most hernias are uncomplicated.
Some cats may experience no pain and not show any symptoms if they have a hernia. However, others may experience pain if a hernia is left untreated because it could prevent blood flow to important organs.
Types of Cat Hernias
There are three main types of hernias diagnosed in cats. These include:
Diaphramatic Hernia
The diaphragm is the muscular partition separating the chest and the abdomen. A diaphragmatic hernia or rupture occurs when this thin muscle is disrupted or torn.
Once the diaphragm has a tear, abdominal contents like the intestines, liver and stomach can enter the chest cavity, compress the lungs and prevent them from fully inflating. This can cause respiratory distress and irritation to the heart muscle, which may cause abnormal heart rhythms. Fluid may lead into the chest cavity, causing heart and lung function to worsen.
The most common cause of diaphragmatic hernia is blunt force trauma, which can occur after a fall, a car accident, or a blow to the abdomen.
A peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) is congenital (present from birth) and may occur due to defective development of the fetus. This condition is less common and most often diagnosed in kittens. It is separate from a traumatic diaphragmatic hernia or rupture.
Both of these types of hernias should be treated as early as possible to prevent complications.
Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernias are a rare type of diaphragmatic hernia, which can happen when the abdominal viscera pushes through the diaphragm. This "sliding hernia" can come and go when caused by a birth defect.
Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal hernias are most likely to occur in pregnant female cats. If the intestines poke through the inguinal canal, and inguinal hernia can affect your cat's groin area.
While this type of hernia can typically be pushed back into place, it may also develop into a serious condition if the intestines become trapped in the muscle wall. In this case, an inguinal hernia can be a veterinary emergency, since blood flow to the tissue being cut off is a life-threatening situation.
Umbilical Hernia
Umbilical hernias often feel like a soft, squishy, bulging, or swollen protrusion below the skin. It is located just under the ribcage on a cat's underside, near the belly button. This type may often appear when your cat is standing, straining, crying or meowing.
If the umbilical ring does not close properly after birth, an opening in the muscle wall can occur and cause this type of hernia. The organs can push through the area surrounding the umbilicus.
Umbilical hernias are diagnosed in kittens. These are generally painless and are not associated with any health risks. Your kitten's umbilical hernia will likely close without treatment by the time your kitten is between three and four months old.
Treatment for Cat Hernias
Your veterinarian may be able to push your cat's internal organs back through the muscle wall, which may close up and heal after the organs are back in the abdominal cavity where they belong.
However, there is a high risk that the hernia will recur, so your vet may recommend repairing the muscle wall since even small openings can lead to complications such as strangulation.
If your cat's organs cannot easily be pushed back through the abdominal cavity, if the tear in the muscle wall does not close by itself, or if complications such as blockage, infection or strangulation occur, your cat will need to undergo surgery to repair the hernia.
First, your vet will need to complete a blood chemistry test, complete blood count and urinalysis to determine your cat's overall physical health.
Provided the hernia repair is not urgent, any conditions that are diagnosed can be addressed prior to surgery. Non-urgent hernias can typically be repaired when your cat is neutered or spayed to minimize the need for anesthesia.
The night before your cat's hernia surgery, they will need to fast, and fluids will also need to be restricted.
Cat Hernia Surgery Process
Prior to the surgery, your vet will shave and clean the area to be operated on, then use surgical drapes to help ensure the area remains sterile.
Intravenous anesthesia will be used to put your cat into a deep sleep, then a tracheal tube will be inserted to maintain the correct dose of anesthesia with gas.
During the operation, your veterinarian will push the abdominal organs back into the abdominal cavity. Any damaged organs and tissue will be surgically repaired before the gap in the muscle wall is closed.
If the opening in your cat's abdomen is large, or if some tissue needs to be eliminated because it has died, your vet may use either synthetic surgical mesh or existing muscle tissue to close the gap in the muscle wall. Sutures will then be used to close the incision.
Cat Hernia Surgery Recovery
Antibiotics may be provided prior to and following your cat’s hernia surgery to treat or prevent infection. Your cat will also need to wear a collar during the recovery period to prevent him or her from licking or biting incision areas or sutures. Cage rest and pain medicines will be prescribed as required.
Cats that have had hernia surgery typically will not need to be hospitalized long-term after surgery, as the procedure is usually straightforward. In addition, surgical complications are rare and the hernia may be permanently resolved.
Risk of suture rupturing, infections or hemorrhaging can be minimized with careful monitoring by your vet.
The prognosis for any cat with a diaphragmatic hernia is always initially guarded for at least 24 hours after a surgery has been successful. Depending on the specific diaphragmatic defect and abnormalities discovered during surgical correction, the prognosis for a young kitten with a congenital diaphragmatic area is guarded to good.
In trauma cases, scar tissue may develop between the lungs and any herniated abdominal contents about seven days following surgery. This scar tissue will affect the lungs' ability to inflate properly. The longer corrective surgery is delayed, the more complicated and dangerous it becomes. Each case will need to be addressed individually.
When detected and treated early, hernias in cats do not tend to cause many complications and are unlikely to recur. Early and effective treatment is necessary to ensure your cat stays healthy.
Determining Cat Hernia Surgery Cost
It's important to understand that there are many factors that go into determining the cost of veterinary care including surgery. How much your veterinary surgeon will charge to perform your cat's hernia procedure will depend upon where you live in the country, the size and general health of your cat, the severity of the hernia and more.
The only way to get an accurate estimate for your cat's hernia surgery is to speak to your vet. Your veterinary surgeon can provide you with a complete breakdown of costs and take the time to go over those fees with you.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.