Gastrocutaneous fistula secondary to umbilical hernia in a dog: A surgical case report

A two-and-a-half-year old, male shihtzu dog was presented to the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Veterinary College Hospital, Bengaluru with the complaint of mass in the ventral abdominal region along with signs of inappetence and dullness for 2 days. The animal had a history of a small, uncorrected congenital umbilical hernia which had significantly increased in size since a week. On clinical examination the mass was firm and irreducible. Radiological examination of lateral abdomen revealed soft tissue swelling with no much appreciable structures within the mass. Haematological and biochemical profiles showed marked leucocytosis and elevated liver enzymes. Following initial presentation and diagnosis of a complicated irreducible umbilical hernia, the animal developed a cutaneous opening at the hernia site within a few days. This opening exhibited external leakage of ingested food and water, indicating a gastrocutaneous fistula - a rare but serious sequela of hernia. Dissection of the fistula and surgical closure of the stomach, abdominal wall and skin along with antibiotic therapy and nutritional support led to complete recovery.