Changes

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

In small animals, inguinal hernias may be '''congenital''' (often in male entire dogs) or '''acquired''', often in older females.  West Higland white terriers, Pekingese and Cairn terriers are known to be predisposed to congenital hernias but it is not currently known whether the disease is heritable.  In male dogs, both testes have usually descended within a few weeks of birth but, if this descent is delayed, the inguinal canals are held open by the testes.  It is suggested that the widening of the canals increases the chance of another abdominal organ entering the canal and becoming incarcerated there.  These congenital inguinal hernias are therefore often associated with [[Reproductive Male - Pathology|cryptorchidism]] and they may also occur with concurrent [[Umbilical Hernia|umbilical herniation]].   

In small animals, inguinal hernias may be '''congenital''' (often in male entire dogs) or '''acquired''', often in older females.  West Higland white terriers, Pekingese and Cairn terriers are known to be predisposed to congenital hernias but it is not currently known whether the disease is heritable.  In male dogs, both testes have usually descended within a few weeks of birth but, if this descent is delayed, the inguinal canals are held open by the testes.  It is suggested that the widening of the canals increases the chance of another abdominal organ entering the canal and becoming incarcerated there.  These congenital inguinal hernias are therefore often associated with cryptorchidism and they may also occur with concurrent [[Umbilical Hernia|umbilical herniation]].   

Acquired hernias occur with any condition that causes the diameter of the inguinal canal to increase.  In pregnant bitches, it is suggested that hormones cause the inguinal rings to widen allowing abdominal organs (including the gravid uterus) to herniate.  Fat may also be deposited in the canal in obese animals and this is thought to effectively hold the canal open.  Inguinal hernias may occur after blunt abdominal trauma, either due to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure or due to congenital weakness of the muscles forming the inguinal rings.   

Acquired hernias occur with any condition that causes the diameter of the inguinal canal to increase.  In pregnant bitches, it is suggested that hormones cause the inguinal rings to widen allowing abdominal organs (including the gravid uterus) to herniate.  Fat may also be deposited in the canal in obese animals and this is thought to effectively hold the canal open.  Inguinal hernias may occur after blunt abdominal trauma, either due to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure or due to congenital weakness of the muscles forming the inguinal rings.