Hiatal and pericardial hernia and its possible association with feline cutaneous asthenia: case report

Authors: Jorge Leonardo Guzman Rodriguez, Susana Fletcher Uribe, Andres Renato Ordoñez Palacios, Diego Augusto Dacak Aguilera.

Keywords: collagen, congenital, hernioraphy, hyperextensibility, skin fragility.

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Abstract:

Feline cutaneous asthenia also called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), or dermatosparaxis, is a rare inherited connective tissue disease, characterized by hyperextensibility and skin laxity. This report is from a male cat that presented recurrence and rapid healing skin continuity solutions, with absence of bacteria in the cytology and wound culture, the physical examination showed hyperextensibility and skin fragility.  According to the clinical characteristics, skin asthenia was suspected, the measure of skin laxity was taken, based on the skin extensibility index (SEI), which result was 46.8%, above normal value (<19 %). Skin biopsy was performed for histopathology and Masson’s trichrome staining, and through this, the definitive diagnosis of feline cutaneous asthenia was reached. Subsequently, oniquectomy was performed on all four members to prevent further damage to the skin with the nails caused by constant itching. The patient returned a month after his oniquectomy surgery with a history of vomiting and loss of appetite. After the clinical evaluation, thoracic and abdominal radiography and ultrasound were performed and peritoneo-pericardial hernia was diagnosed with liver eventization to the pericardial sac and hiatal hernia with eventration of the stomach body towards the thorax. The patient underwent hernioraphy and grastropexy surgery to correct this condition.  Monthly check ups are performed on the patient in which no changes in the skin or internal organs are evident.