Q: During her last visit to the vet for shots, the vet said that
my 3-month-old kitten might have a diaphragmatic hernia. Could you
tell me what could happen to her if she has surgery or if she does
not have it? So far, she has been a playful and loving kitten and
seems to be doing fine. Should I worry?
Q: During her last visit to the vet for shots, the vet said that my 3-month-old kitten might have a diaphragmatic hernia. Could you tell me what could happen to her if she has surgery or if she does not have it? So far, she has been a playful and loving kitten and seems to be doing fine. Should I worry?
A: I’m puzzled why your veterinarian has not made a definitive diagnosis. This is a situation that needs a quick resolution, for the sake of your kitten’s good health. A diaphragmatic hernia is a condition where there is a hole or opening in the diaphragm (the tough, muscular wall that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen). It can occur as an unusual congenital birth defect.
More commonly, it results from trauma (for example if your kitten were dropped or fell from a table or counter top). The opening of the hernia allows some of the contents of the abdomen (liver or intestine) to move into the chest cavity, putting pressure on the lungs. This upsets the natural pressure gradient in the chest that allows your cat to breathe comfortably.
Even a small diaphragmatic hernia seriously affects a young cat’s ability to be active and playful, simply because she cannot get enough air when she exercises. It can eventually stunt the growth of a kitten and can even be fatal if it suddenly enlarges, all because the patient may suddenly lose her ability to breathe properly. This truly is a serious condition.
A diaphragmatic hernia is relatively easy to diagnose with X-rays or with an ultrasound examination. And surgery usually is successful in correcting the problem. But proper evaluation and early treatment are important. So for your kitty’s sake and for your own peace of mind, have a veterinarian thoroughly examine her. Call to make an appointment right away.
Q: This morning I saw some red color in my cat’s urine. He feels fine, is eating and even playing normally. Could he be passing a stone? Could this be just a passing problem, or should I have him checked by his vet?
A: You should take your cat to his veterinarian right away. Red or pink color in the urine indicates he is passing some blood (called hematuria). This bleeding can be caused by several different circumstances, some of which could be very serious. I doubt that he is simply passing a single kidney or bladder stone. Even if that were the case, he would need to be monitored carefully by a veterinarian. Cats can develop stones, but usually these are in the form of multiple tiny crystals the size of sand.
It is unusual for a cat to have a single, large stone. But the tiny stones can pack together and form a plug, which may block the urethra, making it difficult to urinate. In severe cases where a complete blockage occurs, it becomes impossible for the cat to urinate at all. A blockage like this causes bladder damage and can lead to fatal kidney failure.
It’s also possible that your little guy has a less serious problem such as a urinary tract infection. But even though he seems to feel good, these infections are very uncomfortable (ask any person who has suffered through this!).
A bladder infection also can potentially lead to kidney problems if it is left untreated. Cats are stoic, and don’t often tell us when they are feeling under the weather. So when advanced symptoms like hematuria show, the problem has become serious enough to require veterinary assistance.
Whatever his problem, your cat needs some medical attention soon. Waiting could make a simple problem become rather complicated. His veterinarian will be able to determine the cause of this red-tinged urine with an exam including a urinalysis. And with proper treatment, he will soon be feeling a lot better.
Pete Keesling is a veterinarian at San Martin Veterinary Hospital and co-hosts Petpourri, a weekly show about pet health on KTEH in San Jose and a bi-weekly column for The Times. If you have any questions about pet care, please mail them to The Times, Attn: Vets, 30 E. Third St., Morgan Hill, CA 95037.
