INGUINAL HERNIA

Inguinal hernias appear as skin-covered bulges in the groin area. They can be bilateral, involving both sides, or unilateral, involving only one side.
There may be no symptoms, especially when the hernia is reducible; i.e. it can be pushed back into the abdomen with a finger.
Inguinal hernias are more common in females than males, but do occur in both sexes. As with umbilical hernias most inguinal hernias will shrink and disappear as the puppy grows, although you must keep an eye on the size of the hernia and watch carefully to make sure that no tissue is trapped in the hernial sac. In some cases, no treatment is required at all.
Many hernias found in puppies can also wait for repair until the time that the puppy is being spayed or neutered. When surgery is required; each of the herniated structures is put back in its correct place and the abnormal opening is sutured shut.

Inguinal hernias are usually present before 12 weeks of age. Many will shrink and disappear as the puppy grows. Recovery after surgery is excellent in the presence of a reducible or incarcerated hernia. If the hernia becomes strangulated it is a veterinary emergency and treatment is needed immediately.

In males the hernia can also descend into the scrotum as well. Inguinal hernias are in most cases congenital but older animals can aquire them through a trauma. If the hernias are big they need to be repaired by surgery.

The mode of inheritance has not been determined exactly but it is thought that many genes are involved in their transmission.

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