Hernietta 54# Light Fawn Female ... 18 months old ... 33A / 18049 Presentation: 1.5 year old intact female light fawn greyhound presented with a history of inability to maintain endurance during racing. Patient exam: Brief exam revealed a reducible ventrocranial abdominal hernia. On thoracic auscultation gut sounds could be heard in the chest cavity. Diagnosis: A left lateral thoracic radiograph definitively diagnosed the presence of a Congenital Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia. A ppdh occurs when a communication exists between the abdomen and pericardial sac (which surrounds the heart). This communication allows herniation of abdominal viscera into the pericardial sac. Even though this defect may be present in neonates at birth, the animal may remain asyptomatic and undiagnosed for many years. The theory behind the cause of this faulty embryogenesis is possible due to teratogenic effects, genetic defect, or prenatal injury. Peritoneopericardial hernias may occur with other congenital abnormalities including sternal defects, cranial midline abdominal wall hernia, umbilical hernia, abnormal swirling of the hair in this region, intracardiac defects, and pulmonary vascular disease. Organs frequently found herniated into the pericardial sac include the liver, falciform ligament, omentum, spleen, small intestine. Treatment: Surgical repair should be performed as early as possible.