An Eight Year Retrospective Study on the Prevalence of Hernias in Large Animals at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Records of animals presented to Large Animal Clinic of Veterinary Teaching Hospital Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (VTHABU) from 2002-2009 were studied and analyzed to evaluate the occurrence and management of hernias presented to the clinic. A total of one thousand five hundred and ninety- five (1,595) cases were presented during the period under review. Three hundred and ten (19.4%) of these cases were treated surgically while 1,285 (80.6%) were medical cases. One hundred and ninety seven (63.5%) of the surgeries were in females, and 113 (36.5%) in males. Out of these, a total of 16 (1%) cases of hernia were presented. Thirteen (81.25%) were ventral abdominal hernias and 3 (18.75%) scrotal hernias. Eight (50%) of the hernia cases were in females and 8 (50%) in males. More hernia cases (68.75%) were recorded in ovine, while 8.75% cases were recorded in bovine and 12.5% in caprine. No case of hernia was recorded in equine and porcine. During this period, diagnoses of hernia were based on physical examination and all the cases were managed surgically by herniorrhaphy.