Rufey and his Peritoneal-pericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia (PPDH)

Rufey is a 5-year-old Persian neutered male cat who presented with a chronic history of regurgitation.  Full biochemistry and haematology were unremarkable, so imaging was performed including a cardiac and abdominal ultrasound scan and plain radiography of the thorax and abdomen to identify a PPDH. 

Imaging confirmed the presence of a Peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia, PPDH, with displacement of the liver into the pericardial sac. Rufey had no history of trauma so had lived for a remarkable length of time with his abnormality almost asymptomatically! 

Rufey before treatment

Needless to say, the owner was very surprised by the diagnosis. Surgery was performed to repair the defect in the diaphragm and replace the liver back into the abdomen.  Once recovered the owner reported that for the first time, she had seen Rufey climb a cherry tree.

Rufey PPDH Post op