Abdominal ventral hernia in a pigeon (Columba livia): a case report

Reports of abdominal hernias in birds are often not clearly described. Abdominal hernias have been characterized as a separation in the aponeurosis of the abdominal musculature on the ventral midline. In this article one case of abdominal hernia is described. A painless, reducibile swelling was located in the ventral abdominal region close to the cloaca. Surgical repair was performed because the bird was stable clinically and an hernioraphy was indicated. A ventral midline celiotomy was performed. For repair of the abdominal hernia the abdominal muscles and skin were sutured in a standard two-layer closure using a simple continuous suture pattern. This procedure is safe and uncomplicated and this approach can be recommended as a curative method for abdominal hernia repair.