How to treat a kitten with a gigantic umbilical hernia Pt 1
Channel: Dr David Sing
Date: 2015-01-31

The large umbilical swelling is an umbilical hernia since young. The muscles had split up more leading to a gigantic hernia. Below this swelling will be the internal organs including the intestines and stomach. The 4-week-old kitten recently has this umbilical defect opened up, exposing the omental fat.

Gas anaesthesia is used. The two muscle layers have had retracted to the far ends of the flanks. 

The vet with no exposure to such cases, on opening up the hernia, will not see any muscle layers but the big hole with full view of the spleen, liver, stomach and intestines. He or she may deduce that there is a congenital defect in that the kitten or puppy had been born with no abdominal muscles, hence the big hole and may proceed to sew up the skin incision. This will not be the correct method of treatment. 

The vet will need to make a longer incision towards the pelvi inlet. There he or she will see the muscles from the sides lateral to the pelvic inlet. 

Then, the two ends are stitched up. More muscles will be seen and pulled together to be stitched.