562 HERNIA 



might be met with when adhesions are present. Explorative 

 operation would be recommended. Scrotal hernia is recog- 

 nized as an elongated enlargement in the scrotum. Palpa- 

 tion will usually reveal the dilated canal and the contents 

 can be easily returned to the abdominal cavity. Holding 

 the animal up by the hind limbs often effects replacement. 

 Differentiation should be made from other scrotal enlarge- 

 ments. As a rule no particular difficulty will be encountered. 



Treatment.— In inguinal hernia the operation would be 

 practically the same as in the female. The same care should 

 be exercised to avoid complications. 



Scrotal hernia may be operated in two ways: (a) Inguinal 

 operation, and (b) scrotal operation. 



(a) Inguinal Operation.— Prepare the dog the same as in 

 the female. Make an incision through the skin over the 

 inguinal canal down upon the internal ring. Open the 

 processus vaginalis and pull the bowel or omentum back into 

 the abdominal cavity. Suture the internal ring but allow 

 sufficient room for the spermatic cord and vessels. A certain 

 amount of swelling will take place after the operation which 

 should be considered when applying the sutures. This 

 operation is especially advised when the male is to be kept in 

 the stud. 



(b) Scrotal Operation.— This operation is performed by 

 opening the scrotum, removing the testicle, returning the 

 omentum or bowel to the abdominal cavity, and suturing 

 the external ring. Retaining sutures should be placed in the 

 scrotum for a few days to avoid prolapsus of the bowel in 

 case the other sutures tear out. 



Femoral Hernia.— This form of hernia is not common in 

 small animals. It has been observed in a few instances. It 

 consists in a portion of the viscera, in most cases intestine 

 with peritoneum, which passes through the femoral canal in 

 close proximity to the femoral vessels. 



Symptoms.— A soft enlargement is found on the inner part 

 of the thigh which interferes with bringing the limb forward 

 producing lameness. Unless strangulated there are no 

 inflammatory symptoms. Any enlargement in this location 

 should be suspected of being a femoral hernia. 



