Structures passing through the inguinal canal include the spermatic cord, vaginal tunic, cremaster muscle, external pudendal artery and vein, inguinal lymph vessels, and genitofemoral nerve. Structures passing through the vaginal ring include testicular artery and vein, lymphatics and nerves, and ductus deferens. Inguinal hernias may be congenital or acquired. If you are in a dairy practice, you will probably see congenital inguinal hernias most commonly. If you are in a beef practice, you will probably see acquired hernias most commonly.
Inguinal hernias are heritable in swine, but the issue is more clouded in cattle.
Inguinal hernias in bulls almost always affect the left inguinal ring. Some authors have blamed this on the position of the rumen and chronic fatigue stretching of the left inguinal ring. Inguinal hernias are best treated surgically, although a groin sling may be tried in young calves. Surgical treatment may be done using either of two techniques. This requires blind placement of these sutures, but is more secure than closing the external inguinal ring.