Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> Wildlife trauma cases frequently present with overt external signs that may mask underlying life-threatening conditions, leading to diagnostic prioritization bias. This report describes a juvenile small Indian civet ( <italic>Viverricula indica taivana</italic> ) in which rectal prolapse dominated the clinical presentation but obscured a fatal diaphragmatic hernia. A 3-month-old civet was rescued after a suspected chase incident and presented with rectal prolapse and mild systemic compromise. Despite unremarkable thoracic radiographs and absence of respiratory signs at admission, the animal underwent standard treatment for recurrent prolapse, including surgical correction. Clinical condition appeared to improve during hospitalization, supported by increased appetite and stabilization of body condition. However, serial biochemical analysis revealed progressive hepatic dysfunction, including marked hyperbilirubinemia and elevated liver enzymes, suggesting ongoing internal pathology. Unexpected death occurred on Day 18. Postmortem examination identified a diaphragmatic defect with herniation of abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity, resulting in severe pulmonary compression, circulatory impairment, and secondary multiorgan changes. These findings indicate that clinically silent or radiographically occult diaphragmatic hernia can progress despite apparent clinical recovery. This case demonstrates that reliance on dominant clinical signs and single time-point imaging may lead to underdiagnosis of concurrent thoracoabdominal injuries in wildlife patients. Longitudinal monitoring, integration of clinicopathological data, and repeated imaging should be emphasized, particularly in trauma-associated cases. Recognizing subtle indicators of internal compromise is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, guiding clinical decision-making, and optimizing welfare outcomes in wildlife rehabilitation. </p>