A Clinical Report of Hiatal Hernia in an Osteoporotic Animal

Case Description- A five-month-old male domesticated short hair cat with non-specific signs, weakness, coughing and dyspnea was referred to the clinic. Clinical Findings- The patient was primarily diagnosed with kyphoscoliosis induced by severe nutritional osteoporosis. After couple of days the case was referred without improvement in condition. Contrast radiographs revealed esophageal hiatal hernia. Treatment and Outcome- Surgery was successfully performed to reduce the size of the esophageal hiatus, esophagopexy and left fundic gastropexy. The case returned to a normal condition after a week. A two year follow up showed no recurrence. Clinical Relevance- It is concluded that kyphoscoliosis caused by severe nutritional osteoporosis could be a predisposing factor for hiatal hernia in small animals.