Changes

*'''Diaphragmatic hernias''' may be congenital or, much more commonly, [[Diaphragmatic Rupture|diaphragmatic ruptures]] may occur following blunt abdominal trauma in small animals.  Congenital diaphragmaic hernias are an unusual cause of small intestinal incarceration and strangulation in horses, manifesting as severe colic.  If the septum transversum (the embryonic structure that forms the diaphragm) fails to develop fully, [[Hernia, Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic|Peritoneal-Pericardial-Diaphragmatic hernias]] (PPDH) or [[Hernia, Pleuroperitoneal Diaphragmatic|Pleuroperitoneal hernias]] may occur.

*'''Diaphragmatic hernias''' may be congenital or, much more commonly, [[Diaphragmatic Rupture|diaphragmatic ruptures]] may occur following blunt abdominal trauma in small animals.  Congenital diaphragmaic hernias are an unusual cause of small intestinal incarceration and strangulation in horses, manifesting as severe colic.  If the septum transversum (the embryonic structure that forms the diaphragm) fails to develop fully, [[Hernia, Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic|Peritoneal-Pericardial-Diaphragmatic hernias]] (PPDH) or [[Hernia, Pleuroperitoneal Diaphragmatic|Pleuroperitoneal hernias]] may occur.

*'''Inguinal/scrotal hernias''' may be congenital or acquired.  Congenital hernias are rare and usually occur in young male dogs with late testicular descent.  It is suggested that this process holds the inguinal canal open for longer than normal, allowing abdominal organs to displace into them.  Acquired hernias occur in obese animals (in which the canal is held open by the local accumulation of fat) and in older entire bitches (in which the gravid uterus may be herniated).  Inguinal hernias also occur in stallions after castration and may cause severe colic.

*'''Inguinal/scrotal hernias''' may be congenital or acquired.  Congenital hernias are rare and usually occur in young male dogs with late testicular descent.  It is suggested that this process holds the inguinal canal open for longer than normal, allowing abdominal organs to displace into them.  Acquired hernias occur in obese animals (in which the canal is held open by the local accumulation of fat) and in older entire bitches (in which the gravid uterus may be herniated).  Inguinal hernias also occur in stallions after castration and may cause severe colic.

*'''Perineal hernias''' are false hernias where abdominal organs move into space created by the rupture of muscles surrounding the pelvic roof and anus.  Older male entire dogs are particularly affected and these often have concurrent enlargement of the prostate gland.

*'''[[Perineal Hernia| Perineal hernias]]''' are false hernias where abdominal organs move into space created by the rupture of muscles surrounding the pelvic roof and anus.  Older male entire dogs are particularly affected and these often have concurrent enlargement of the prostate gland.

*'''Ventral abdominal ruptures''' occur at sites of wound breakdown (after ventral midline coeliotomy) and in older pregnant mares and cows, particularly those suffering from hydrops uteri.  

*'''Ventral abdominal ruptures''' occur at sites of wound breakdown (after ventral midline coeliotomy) and in older pregnant mares and cows, particularly those suffering from hydrops uteri.  

*'''Traumatic abdominal ruptures''' may occur at various locations in the abdomen resulting in prepubic ruptures, femoral hernias and paracostal ruptures in cats.

*'''Traumatic abdominal ruptures''' may occur at various locations in the abdomen resulting in prepubic ruptures, femoral hernias and paracostal ruptures in cats.