A perineal hernia is a condition seen in dogs and cats, in which the pelvic diaphragm becomes weakened. This results in displacement of pelvic and abdominal organs (rectum, prostate, bladder, or fat) into the region surrounding the anus.

Surgery is required to fix the herniation.

An epidural injection is performed for pain control during the procedure and immediate post op.

An insicion is made over the hernia area, the hernia explored and the contents reduced. The external anal sphincter coccygeus and internal obturator muscles are identified. The internal obturator muscle is elevated on from the caudal lateral border after retracting obturater nerve and artery. The internal obturator tendon is identified and carefully transected. The muscle is then transposed dorsally and medially to fill in the hernial defect and maintained in place with interrupted sutures. Routine pre-scrotal open castration is recommended to be performed at the same time.

Fitzgerald had a left sided perineal hernia that was corrected by the above surgery.