Equine acquired inguinal herniation – diagnosis and treatment in 62 cases

Introduction. The medical records of 62 stallions with acquired inguinal herniation were reviewed (2007-2017).Materials and Methods. The history, clinical and laboratory findings on admission to the clinic and methods of treatment have been summarized.Results and Conclusions. The prevalence of inguinal hernia among horses with colic was 3.85 % (62/1609 cases). Indirect inguinal hernia was observed in 58 cases (93.54 %) and incarcerated inguinal hernia was observed in 55 horses (88.71 %). Hernia was found more frequently on the left side (36 cases) then on the right (26 cases). The majority of horses with acquired inguinal hernia were admitted to the clinic in the summer and spring (49/62), i.e. when air temperatures were high, significantly more (p<0.05) than in winter or autumn (13/62). Comparing the breed proportion of hernia cases with other horses with colic, disproportionately high percentages of trotter and thoroughbred horses were found with acquired inguinal herniation. Significant differences of the clinical and laboratory blood parameters were found when more time had passed from the onset of colic until the horses’ arrival at the clinic. There was a significant positive correlation between the duration of colic and the onset of gastric reflux, increase of hematocrit and heart rate. Six horses were conservatively and 55 horses surgically treated. The clinic discharge rate was 90.32% (56/62). Early diagnosis and admission to the veterinary clinic and emergency surgery is necessary for equine inguinal hernia. The conservative treatment was successful only in cases of incarcerated inguinal hernia with colic duration less than 4 hours. Equine acquired inguinal herniation carries a good prognosis if the affected horse is rapidly taken to a specialized facility where a conservative or surgical correction is performed promptly.