Very Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Diaphragmatic Hernia, Ruptured Diaphragm
Summary
This is a very rare condition in which there is rupture of the diaphragm, the muscular sheet that separates the thorax from the abdomen and is responsible for breathing. A break in the diaphragm allows the intestine to move forward and occupy the chest. The tear itself is painful, and the intestine moving out of position causes colic and difficulty breathing.
A tear of the diaphragm is most common after a traumatic injury, serious fall, or intense exercise like jumping. In addition, congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs and can affect foals.
Diagnosis of this condition can be challenging, and is often only definitively established at surgery or postmortem.
A tear of the diaphragm is most common after a traumatic injury, serious fall, or intense exercise like jumping. In addition, congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs and can affect foals.
Diagnosis of this condition can be challenging, and is often only definitively established at surgery or postmortem.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
Less Common
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Guarded even with surgical repair. Depends on the severity of the injury. Poor without surgery.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Do you advise exploratory surgery?
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
CREDIBLE EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET
Related References:
Higgins AJ, Snyder JR eds. The Equine Manual. 2nd Ed. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders 2006.