Anaesthetic Protocol and Surgical Management of Diaphragmatic Hernia in a Dog

A female dog was presented with open right femoral fracture and respiratory distress along with abdominal respiration resulted from vehicular accident. Radiography revealed discontinuation of diaphragmatic line and displacement of cranial abdominal organs into thoracic cavity. The animal was operated under general anesthesia along with intermittent positive pressure venitilation with ventilator settings as inspiratory: expiratory ratio of 1: 2 and respiration rate of 15 breaths per minute along with peak inspiratory pressure at 15 cm of H2O. Omentum, parts of liver lobes and stomach were found within thoracic cavity. Herniated abdominal structures were gently retracted into abdomen and diaphragmatic rent was closed with continuous pattern. The dog showed uneventful recovery till one month post-surgery.