Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in the dog: A clinical report in a litter of six Dogue de Bordeaux puppies

Abstract

Summary The subject A 5-month-old 15 Kg Dogue de Bordeaux was diagnosed with peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH). Four of the five other littermate puppies presented to another practice were diagnosed with the same condition. Only one puppy was unaffected. Topicality and strong points For all affected dogs, medical history was unremarkable except for poor growth. Diagnosis was established by thoracic radiography in all 5 dogs. The dog managed at the authors’ institution underwent surgical treatment for management of PPDH with the diaphragmatic defect closed using a transverse abdominal muscle flap. Long-term telephone follow-up performed one year and half after surgery was considered excellent in this dog. Perspectives and projects This report may support the suspicion of a presumed inherited condition or a familial predisposition in this breed although a teratogenic effect during pregnancy could not be excluded. Because some animals with PPDH may be asymptomatic their entire lives, a familial screening is recommended when one dog of the litter is affected with this condition.