CASE 35
  

SIGNALMENT:   4-year-old female Dachshund  HISTORY: The dog was hit by the owner’s children while they were riding an ATV.  The owner stated the ATV was moving slowly at the time and they “barely hit the back end of the dog.”  DIAGNOSIS: Radiographs taken by the referring veterinarian showed a fracture of the left ilium.  The radiographs were repeated upon referral to ascertain that no additional undetected fractures were present.  A suspicious finding on these films prompted further evaluation.  (Figure 1) The position of the gas shadow of the stomach in Figure 1 prompted additional radiographs of the chest to be taken.

Figure 1 Ventrodorsal view of the pelvis - the left ilium is fractured.

Figure 2 Ventrodorsal view of the chest showing a right-sided diaphragmatic hernia.

There is a right-sided diaphragmatic hernia present. (Figure 2) TREATMENT: The diaphragmatic hernia was repaired after informing the owner of this finding.  ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Thank you to Dr. Mark Bremer, Animal Care Central, Sapulpa, OK for this referral.  CASE ARCHIVES: Click on Case Archives to access a list of past case features.