The study was conducted in 45 buffaloes diagnosed to be suffering from diaphragmatic hernia. Of them, 36 buffaloes were showing clinical signs for 2 to 5 months, whereas nine were sick since one month. Major clinical signs reported were progressive weakness, reduced production, partial to complete anorexia, recurrent tympany, scanty and pasty faeces. Two buffaloes had no history of tympany, whereas another one was passing loose faeces. Secondary ketosis was detected in one case. Respiratory distress or coughing was observed in twenty cases. Heart and respiratory rates were within normal range, however, seasonal variations in rectal temperature were observed. Extent of herniation in the thorax was found to be ¼ parts to the whole reticulum. Foreign bodies were recovered on rumenotomy in 39 animals. In all the animals, mild to severe adhesions of reticulum were observed in thoracic cavity and with diaphragm. Adhesions of reticulum with liver, lung and pericardium were also observed in one case. In one animal, extra reticular abscess attached with the spleen was also observed. Forty one buffalo revealed herniation through right hemidiaphragm, whereas in other four animals, the herniation was in the center of diaphragm. The values of haemoglobin and PCV were higher while ESR was significantly lower in diseased animals. The levels of ruminal fluid chloride concentration in 11 buffaloes was higher (37.16±2.40 mmol/L) than the values of healthy animals (<30 mmol/L). In these animals, value of plasma concentration of chloride and potassium was lower (68.4±3.85, 3.02±0.42 mmol/L) when compared with the values of healthy animals. The rumen fluid buffering capacity of these animals was 91.32±5.80 mmol/L, which was much lower than the values in healthy animals (120–132 mmol/L). In the remaining animals these values were within the normal range.
