Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Science
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse
United States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Horses -- Diseases
INGUINAL HERNIA is but an incomplete scrotal hernia, and, like the
latter, may exist and cause no signs of distress, or, again, it may
become strangulated and cause death. Inguinal hernia is seen mostly in
stallions, next in geldings, and very rarely in the mare. Bearing in
mind that scrotal hernia is seen only in entire horses, we may proceed
to detail the symptoms of strangulated, inguinal, and scrotal hernia at
the same time. When, during the existence of colicky symptoms, we find a
horse kicking with his hind feet while standing or lying upon his back,
we should look to the inguinal region and scrotum. If scrotal hernia
exists, the scrotum will be enlarged and lobulated; by pressure we may
force a portion of the contents of the gut back into the abdomen,
eliciting a gurgling sound. If we take a gentle but firm hold upon the
enlarged scrotum and then have an assistant cause the horse to cough,
the swelling will be felt to expand and as quickly contract again.
The history of these cases will materially aid us, as the owner can
often assure us of preceding attacks of "colic," more or less severe,
that have been instantaneously relieved in some (to him) unaccountable
manner. The colicky symptoms of these hernias are not diagnostic, but,
probably, more closely resemble those of enteritis than any other bowel
diseases. In many cases the diagnosis can be made only by a
veterinarian, when he has recourse to a rectal examination; the bowels
can here be felt entering the internal abdominal ring.
_Treatment of inguinal hernia._--If the reader is sure of the existence
of hernia, he should secure the horse upon its back, and, with a hand in
the rectum, endeavor to catch hold of the wandering bowel and pull it
gently back into the cavity of the abdomen. Pressure should be made upon
the scrotum during this time. If this fails, a veterinarian must be
called to reduce the hernia by means of incising the inguinal ring,
replacing the intestines, and to castrate, using clamps and performing
the "covered operation."
VENTRAL HERNIA.--In this form of hernia the protrusion is through some
accidental opening or rupture of the abdominal wall. It may occur at any
part of the belly except at the umbilicus, and is caused by kicks,
blows, hooks, severe jumping or pulling, etc. Ventral hernia is most
common in pregnant mares, and is here due to the weight of the fetus or
to some degenerative changes taking place in the abdominal coats. It is
recognized by the appearance of a swelling, at the base of which can be
felt the opening or rent in the abdominal tunics, and from the fact that
the swelling containing the intestines can be made to disappear when the
animal is placed in a favorable position.
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