INGUINAL HERNIA IN DOGS. 
297 
(5.) INGUINAL HERNIA IN HOGS. 
Inguinal hernise, although rare in dogs, is common in bitches, in 
which the abdominal ring remains open to give passage to the round 
uterine ligament covered by its peritoneal sheath. The hernial 
contents generally consist of uterus, sometimes containing embryos. 
Stockfleth found four fully-grown puppies. Sometimes, however, 
portions of intestine and omentum, and even of the urinary bladder 
and spleen, are found in the sac, which is formed by peritoneum, udder, 
and skin. 
Inguinal hernise are only seen in bitches, which have already borne 
young, the increase in length of the round uterine ligament, and the 
widening of the abdominal ring, necessary to hernia formation, being 
effected by muscular action during delivery. 
Symptoms and progress. The hernial swelling is least charac¬ 
teristic in bitches, being covered by the udder. It is harder, but less 
sharply defined than in males, is often as large as a man s fist, lies 
towards the back of the udder, and appears, both when single and 
double-sided, as a regular diffuse swelling. In thin animals, and where 
the udder is only slightly developed, the uterus may sometimes be felt 
in the depths ; in fat animals, having well-developed mammae, diagnosis 
is often rather difficult. The possibility of reduction, and the disappeai- 
ance or decrease of the swelling in the dorsal position, are the most 
important symptoms. 
It is only possible to mistake this condition for tumour of the uddei 
on superficial examination, and it should be remembered that tumouis 
scarcely ever lie so deep as does the hernial swelling. It is more difficult 
to distinguish it from thickened round uterine ligament, though the 
latter appears as a hard cord connected with the anterior border of the 
os pubis. 
In doubtful cases the vagina must be examined. Where the uterus 
lies in the hernial sac the vagina appears lengthened, nailowed 01 diawn 
towards the affected side or downwards, and often scaicely admits the 
finger, whilst the anterior portions of the vagina are less movable than 
usual. 
Incarceration and other complications threatening life are seldom met 
with. Even delivery is usually easy. Strangulation, however, when 
occurring, produces symptoms similar to those m other animals. 
Vomiting is occasionally seen. 
Treatment. Unless incarceration (the symptoms of which should 
be made known to the owner) occurs, treatment is, as a rule, confined 
to regulation of diet. In France, the injection of iodine was formerly 
tried, though Lafosse had doubtful success with it; severe inflammation 
