Radiographic and Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Ventral Abdominal Hernia in 3 Pigeons ( livia ) 4 VENTRAL ABDOMINAL HERNIA IN PIGEONS

: 17 Five female egg-laying pigeons presented with painless, reducible, ventral abdominal 18 swellings located between the keel and the pubis, or close to the cloaca. Based on clinical, 19 radiographic, and ultrasonographic examination, these pigeons were diagnosed with ventral 20 abdominal hernia requiring surgical interference. Reduction was successfully performed 21 under general anesthesia. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations were beneficial 22 for confirming the diagnosis and visualizing the hernial content for surgical planning. Lateral 23 radiographs were more helpful than ventrodorsal radiographs for identification of the hernial 24 content and its continuation with the abdominal muscles. Ultrasonographic examination 25 offered a non-invasive diagnostic tool that allowed for the differentiation of hernia from other 26 abdominal swellings. In addition, it played a beneficial role in identification of the hernial 27 content and follow up after surgical interference. In conclusion, radiographic and 28 ultrasonographic examinations were beneficial in the diagnosis, surgical planning, and follow 29 up after surgical interference of ventral abdominal hernia in pigeons. 30