01/11/2026
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This post contains surgical photographs that some viewers may find graphic.
⭐🐾 Star Patient of the Week: Luna 🐾⭐
Luna is a beautiful Dachshund who visited Surgeon Ginnie for investigations into a soft swelling in her groin. An ultrasound scan and needle biopsy revealed fatty material and suggested an inguinal hernia; a widening of the natural gap between muscles in the groin, allowing material from the abdomen to pass through.
📅 Luna was scheduled for surgery later in the year so her hernia repair could be combined with her neutering procedure, helping her owners avoid multiple anaesthetics.
When Luna returned four months later, the swelling had grown slightly but was still not causing her any discomfort. However, once under anaesthetic, Ginnie discovered that in the time between the imaging and surgery, a loop of Luna's uterus had passed through the inguinal hernia and become trapped there! 😲
To safely remove all of the reproductive tissue, Ginnie had to perform the ovariohysterectomy in stages before repairing and closing the hernia.
🔬 Inguinal hernias occur when the muscles that should overlap become widened and stretched apart. To prevent the hernia returning, permanent, non-absorbable sutures are used to close the gap. Great care must be taken to leave enough space for important blood vessels and nerves supplying the hind leg, while ensuring the opening is not large enough for tissue to pass through again.
✨ We're delighted to report that Luna recovered very quickly from her spay and hernia repair and is doing brilliantly! We're especially pleased that this unusual condition was identified and treated before it had the chance to cause her any problems.
💖 Well done, Luna!🌟🐶
