HERNIA 



235 



Operation. — On account of the horizontal position of the 

 patient, it is often difficult to perform a radical cure, and if 

 the animal is in no apparent danger (particularly if the 

 contents are only omentum), it is better not to interfere 

 surgically. The only precaution necessary is to keep the 

 patient under occasional observation and avoid constipation. 



Fig. 152. — An Aged Dachshund with Perineal Hernia (Omentum).i 



If, however, the bladder is herniated, something should be 

 done. 



Three courses are open : In a case such as that shown in 

 Fig. 152, the sac may be opened, the protruding omentum 

 ligatured and excised, the bowel returned, and the skin 

 excised (if very pendulous) and sutured in the usual 

 way ;'- secondly, laparotomy may be performed, the con- 

 tents withdrawn into the abdomen, and the sac sutured to 



1 For this photograph I am indebted to :\Ir. S. E. Holman, M.R.C.V.S. 

 '^ Journal of Comparative Pathology a7id Therapeutics, vol. xii., p. 260. 



