Inguinal Hernia in an 8-Year-Old MN Yorkshire Terrier: Our Case Of the Month: May 2020
This is a perfect example of the SonoPath mantra – “if it’s sick it needs a probe, and on day one”. Vague but serious clinical signs were present that could have pointed to many diagnoses – but without expedient application of the probe there may have been a different outcome for this little dog. Awesome imaging was obtained by SonoPath Mobile’s Shari Reffi, CVT, SDEP® certified clinical sonographer, and expedient image interpretation done by Eric Lindquist, DMV, DABVP, Cert. IVUSS, giving the clinic the answers it needed to take their patient to surgery the same day.
History
An 8-year-old male neutered Yorkshire terrier was presented for vomiting, anorexic, lethargy, dehydration, and azotemia. A 2 x 2cm dense mass was palpated in the left inguinal region. Non-reducible. R/O renal disease, pancreatitis. Current meds: Cerenia; Famotidine; Ampicillin; Baytril. CBC: pmns 22K; PCV 67%; TP 9.6; Bun 48; Creat 3; Phos 10 (values improving with fluids).
Image Interpretation
Entrapped small intestine via inguinal hernia noted. Hernia measured approximately 2.0 cm. Regional inflammation and localized peritonitis.
DX
Outcome
Entrapped small intestine, inguinal hernia.
Inguinal intestinal entrapment.
Doppler assessment of the herniated intestine appears normal indicating intestinal vascular viability.