A Big Surprise on Izzy’s Radiographs

By Kay Hisano | Dated March 21, 2023

Izzy presented to Gordon Veterinary Hospital for not being able to walk after going missing for one night. To our big surprise not only did we find a fracture in her pelvis, but she also had a diaphragmatic hernia where her liver and stomach were perforated into the thoracic cavity!

Before we dive further into Izzy’s story, here is a quick spiel on what a diaphragmatic hernia is.

A diaphragmatic hernia occurs when a hole or tear in the diaphragm is created, allowing for abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity. This can potentially compress the lungs and cause breathing difficulties. Symptoms may include rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, coughing, and abdominal distension. However, sometimes there may be no symptoms at all. Diagnosis involves a combination of physical examination, imaging studies such as X-rays or ultrasound, and potentially even exploratory surgery. Treatment typically involves surgery to repair the diaphragm and return abdominal organs to their proper location.

Izzy’s diaphragm was repaired through surgery and her stomach and liver were placed back into the abdomen. She was left with a chest drain to help facilitate drainage of any fluid that was left inside the chest.

Despite all that had happened to poor Izzy, what made this all very special was the great spirit she was in the whole time she was hospitalized with us. Not being able to sit or lie down normally due to her fractured hips, she would shift her body from one side to another or even sit on her back due to the discomfort. However anytime anyone would give her pats or even try and examine her, she would let out the longest and loudest purrs. So much so that it made it difficult to listen to her heart sounds properly.

After 6 days in the hospital, we were all very pleased to see Izzy head back home. On her most recent recheck 2 weeks post her surgery, she was reported to be doing well at home and was even able to stand and walk a lot more comfortably. We are all rooting for Izzy’s full recovery!