DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA IN A LLAMA

A 7-year-old castrated male llama was admitted for evaluation of mild colic. Exploratory celiotomy revealed a diaphragmatic hernia that was entrapping the proximal portion of the ascending colon. The hernia was reduced, and the devitalized ileum, cecum, and 45 cm of the proximal portion of the ascending colon were resected. Surgical repair of the defect in the diaphragm could not be accomplished from the ventral celiotomy, and the owners declined definitive repair via left thoracotomy. The llama recovered and did well until 9 months after surgery, when the hernia recurred. Necropsy revealed a defect, with characteristics consistent with a congenital origin, in the dorsal part of the left hemidiaphragm. On the basis of the findings in this llama, repair of such defects is strongly advocated.