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Hernia Repair in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 12/16/2016Updated: 08/24/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
What is Hernia Repair?
A hernia occurs when an opening develops in the muscle wall that allows internal organs to slip through. Signs of hernia include a swelling or protrusion in the groin or abdomen, vomiting, loss of appetite, and lethargy. They can occur as the result of trauma from an accident such as a motor vehicle accident or a fight with another animal, or as a result of a genetic defect.
Genetic defects resulting in a hernia include an opening in the muscle wall or an area of weakness in the muscle wall that, when put under stress, allows an opening for abdominal organs or fat to protrude. Hernias can be complicated or uncomplicated. Complicated hernias occur when complications to the hernia such as infection, obstruction or strangulation occur. A strangulated hernia is the result of the internal organ tissue penetrating the muscle wall and becoming trapped in the muscle wall. Circulation is cut off, tissue dies, and toxins are released by the dead and dying tissues. Uncomplicated hernias occur when organ tissue can slip back and forth freely through the muscle wall, not causing any issues. Most hernias are uncomplicated.
All hernias require attention by a veterinarian. Sometimes a small and uncomplicated hernia can be treated by pushing the internal organ tissue back through the muscle wall, however, there is a risk of recurrence, and often surgical repair of the muscle wall is recommended to prevent this. If the hernia is complicated or the organs can not be returned to the abdominal cavity or are continuously slipping through the muscle wall, urgent surgery by your veterinarian to repair the hernia is required.
Hernia Repair Procedure in Cats
Some hernias are treated by pushing the internal organs back through the muscle wall, if the muscle wall closes back up and heals after organs are returned to the abdominal cavity, this may be all the treatment required. However, there is a high risk of recurrence, so repair of the muscle wall in these cases may be recommended. Small openings in the muscle wall can be more at risk of strangulation and may need addressing surgically with the same urgency as larger openings.
If organs can not easily be returned to the abdominal cavity or the hole in the muscle wall remains, or if complications such as infection, blockage or strangulation are occurring, your cat will require surgery to repair the hernia.
Your veterinarian will perform a urinalysis, blood chemistry, and blood count to determine the overall health of your pet and treat any conditions required prior to surgery if hernia repair is not urgent.
You will be required to have your pet fast the night before the surgery. When you arrive at the veterinary clinic they will use intravenous anesthesia to put your cat into a deep sleep prior to inserting a tracheal tube that will be used to maintain the anesthesia with gas. The area to be treated surgically will be shaved and cleaned and surgical drapes used to maintain the sterile area for surgery.
Your veterinarian will perform surgery to return any abdominal organs or fat to abdominal cavity and ensure that abdominal organs are viable, that is, have not been damaged. Damaged organs and tissue will be repaired as necessary and the gap in the muscle wall closed. Closing the gap in the muscle wall may be done with existing muscle tissue, or a synthetic surgical mesh may be required if the opening is too large or if tissue has died and needs to be removed. Sutures to close the incision in the skin will also be put in place.
Antibiotics may be administered prior to surgery and post-surgery to treat or prevent infection if deemed necessary. Your cat will be required to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent them licking or biting the incision or sutures.
Pain killers will be administered to your cat post-surgery and cage rest prescribed. Usually postoperative care is straightforward and your pet will not require long term hospitalization after surgery.
Efficacy of Hernia Repair in Cats
If a hernia is treated non-surgically there is a high risk of recurrence. Surgical hernia repair is usually straightforward, and the outcome is a permanent resolution of the hernia. There are rarely complications from surgical repair of hernias.
Hernia Repair Recovery in Cats
If hernia surgery was performed to repair your cat’s hernia, you will need to monitor the surgical incision for redness, soreness or discharge that may indicate a postoperative infection or bleeding that would indicate hemorrhage. Any medications prescribed post-surgery, such as painkillers, anti-inflammatories or antibiotics, should be administered as directed. Your veterinarian will book a follow-up appointment within 1-2 weeks to check the surgical site for healing, address any concerns, and remove sutures if required. Usually cats recover from corrective hernia surgery with no complications but if strangulation or other complications have occurred your cat may not be as quick to recover. You will need to restrict your cat’s activity for several weeks following surgery.
Cost of Hernia Repair in Cats
Cost of hernia treatment in cats when the organs are pushed back through abdominal wall is minimal, but as this cannot commonly be done and may not be adequate to prevent recurrence, surgical hernia repair may be recommended. The cost of hernia repair can range from $500-$2,000 depending on the presence of any complicating factors and the type and location of the hernia.
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Cat Hernia Repair Considerations
If your cat’s hernia is treated non-surgically there is a high risk of recurrence. In fact, most hernias just pop right back out straight away! Most cats do very well after hernia surgery and complications are minimal. Postoperative complications can occur, including postoperative infections, hemorrhaging, and rupture of sutures, but careful monitoring by the veterinarian and pet owner will minimize this risk. With hiatal hernia repair, there is a risk of aspiration which could result in pneumonia. Pet owners should be vigilant for signs of pneumonia if hiatal hernia repair is performed on their cat. It is common to repair non-urgent hernias at the time of spay or neuter if possible to minimize the need to anesthetize your cat.
Hernia Repair Prevention in Cats
Many hernias are caused by genetic defects in the muscle wall or genetic weakness in the muscle wall. If this is the case your veterinarian will recommend spaying or neutering to prevent this genetic anomaly being passed onto offspring. Indoor and neutered cats are less prone to accidents such as falls from trees and motor vehicle accidents, as well as fights with other animals. Restricting or monitoring outdoor activity will greatly reduce the chance of a trauma that could result in a hernia.
Hernia Repair Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Tabby cat
Six Months
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling Bulge Of Wound
Hi she got spayed then pulled out her stitches and then formed an umbilical hernia. Took her in to get that fixed and she is now healing but it is very swollen again and I’m not sure if I should be concerned. Almost the size of a golf ball. Wound looks a bit open.
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I hope that your pet is feeling better. Scar tissue can form at the site of an incision, and that might resolve. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 21, 2020
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Siberian
Tiger
17 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Hiatal Hernia confirmed in my elderly cat, he swallows frequently and purrs with a loud whistling sound, he's on steroids currently. He still eats, drinks, and uses the litter box, but energy is low. Would you pursue surgery, or is it cruel at his age?
Sept. 5, 2018
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dsh
Kaida
4 Months
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hernia
My kitten got his umbilical hernia repaired durning his neuter about a week ago, it was pretty big at the time of operation. Now there is a lump about the same size, but it feels different. It feels like the loose skin is filled with a firm ball. Is this normal? His stitches look fine, and he doesnt mind if I touch/squeeze it. I dont know if I should be worried or not. Is this just normal swelling?
Aug. 18, 2018
7 Recommendations
Any large swelling is not normal after surgery/hernia correction, sometimes a seroma may form but are usually small; you should keep an eye on the swelling and return to your Veterinarian for a check to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 18, 2018
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Russian blu
Veda
2 Months
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bruising
Went to vet after 2 month old kitten got injured by dog was told that she has a hernia by her left back leg my question is if surgery is only option she shows no signs of pain or anything
July 5, 2018
4 Recommendations
Sounds like an inguinal hernia which are uncommon in cats, but usually occur due to trauma; whilst there may be no issues at present, there is always the risk of abdominal contents passing through and becoming strangulated which then becomes a medical emergency. It is always best to get these repaired sooner rather than later as it is easier and significantly cheaper than if it turns into an emergency; however I will note that some cats may live their whole life with a hernia without incident. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 6, 2018
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Dom
Sir Lancelot
4 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Shortness Of Breath
Diaphragmatic hernia repair was done 6 weeks ago on my 4 year old cat. Just had heart scan for a murmur only to find fluid and part of the liver in his chest cavity. Advised to re scan in 2 weeks. Why would this happen. He’s a rescue and been with us for 2 years. If he has another operation would this reaccur....he is well in himself...eating, toilet, playing and affectionate.
June 17, 2018
1 Recommendations
Generally diaphragmatic hernias are caused by either a congenital defect or a traumatic injury; however the success rate of the surgery is high and recurrence rates are low. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.acvs.org/small-animal/diaphragmatic-hernia
June 18, 2018
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Bombay
Baya
4 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hernia
My 4 year old cat got spayed 5 days ago and all went well except two days ago i noticed a lump under her incision and i took her to the vet who said it Was a small fat hernia and reopened her to fix it,now she is spending two nights at the vet because it’s the weekend where i live and i can’t pick her up immediatly..what should i be expecting during her recovery? What signs should i look for?and most importantly will she be okay??She’s like a daughter to me and i love her so much i can’t help but stress about everything.
domestic short hair
Finnegan
Two Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Post-Op Recovery
I have a two month old kitten I just adopted from the local shelter. During the neutering, they discovered a hernia and surgically repaired during the operation. We took him home the following day. He thrashes himself around when he’s in a kennel and seems to be one of the most hyperactive cats I’ve owned. I am incredibly worried, as he poses a threat to his own recovery regardless of whether he is contained or not. There is not check up scheduled as it was performed by the shelter and minimal information regarding recovery was given. Please help!
Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/cat/treatment/hernia-repair
Simeese
Angel
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bloody Sack
We have a 10 year old cat, Angel. After we moved houses, we noticed there had been some swelling around her anus area and we thought it was nothing so we ignored it. Then we noticed swelling around her lower abdomen area. Then about 3-ish weeks later (yesterday) I noticed HORRIBLE things. I’m guessing it is a hernia but it’s very red (almost like bloody) sack that’s around that same spot and it’s worrying me to death. I’m so scared for her and have no clue what’s going on. We wanna get her fixed but we barely have any money because of the sudden move. She’s also bleeding from that same spot so she’s getting worse. I’m very worried for my baby, and we are thinking about putting her down but I have no idea what’s going on with her, please anyone with experience help us! She’s getting worse day by day, not in any pain though. I hope she’s okay. Please anyone with any help, answer ASAP! Thank you.
