Many pet owners do not realize that their beloved companions can actually suffer from many of the same ailments that humans deal with. If you have a cat, you probably never imagined that he or she could develop a hernia, for example. However, if you take your cat to the vet for their regular vaccinations and exam only to be told and shown that your cat has a small abdominal hernia, you likely feel panicked and worried. Before you get overwhelmed with worry, get to know a few of the facts about hernias in cats and how you can handle the situation. Then, you can be sure you provide the best possible care to your cat and help them with their hernia.
What Exactly Is A Hernia?
The term hernia, whether it is used for people or animals, refers to a tear within the interior of the body through which other parts of the body can and do protrude. When you take your cat to the vet and they can see and feel the hernia, it means the hernia is an inguinal hernia.
Inguinal hernias are tears in the thin layer of tissue inside the body that holds the abdominal organs like the stomach and intestines in place. When there is a tear in this tissue, the layers of fat surrounding the organs or the organs themselves can get pushed through that tear.
How Serious Is This Condition for Your Cat?
When your vet discovers the inguinal hernia, they will ask you several questions about your cat's behavior and habits at home. This will help to determine how serious your cat's hernia is in the moment.
For example, if your cat is still eating and drinking normally and has regular and health bowel movements that are not loose or otherwise odd, then your cat is not in any immediate medical danger. However, if you have noticed vomiting, a loss of appetite or a lack of bowel movements, then your cat's intestines may be protruding through that hernia and are getting blocked preventing health digestion.
What Can You Do For Your Cat?
If your cat is not symptomatic, you will not necessarily need to deal with the hernia immediately. Your vet will likely recommend that you schedule surgery for you cat's hernia in the near future when it is most convenient for you.
In such instances, you will need to continue to keep a close eye on your cat. Before the scheduled surgery, if they begin to vomit, stop eating, stop having healthy bowel movements, or show obvious signs of abdominal discomfort, then the situation has become emergent or critical. You will need to take your cat to a 24-hour animal hospital immediately for assessment and emergency surgery.
The surgical procedure for your cat's hernia is relatively simple and quick, but surgery is the only way to get rid of a hernia for your cat. A small incision is made while your cat is under general anesthesia. The vet will then gently push the abdominal organs and tissues back into place and patch or sew up the tear in the abdominal wall. The procedure generally takes less than an hour, and if your cat acts normally after surgery with no complications, they can often go home the same day or the next day.
Now that you know more about hernias in cats, you can be sure that you take the best possible care of your precious companion if the situation ever arises for you.
