Indirect inguinal herniation of the urinary bladder in a Shetland pony foal

A 6-week-old male Shetland pony was presented with pollakiuria and a scrotal mass. The diagnostic procedures conducted included a thorough clinical examination, external palpation, a scrotal ultrasonographic examination and urinary catheterisation. These revealed an indirect herniation of the urinary bladder into the tunica vaginalis. Subsequently, the case was managed surgically with a partial cystectomy through an inguinal approach. Bilateral castration was performed with an additional closure of the superficial inguinal ring. Five months post-surgery, a routine telephone questionnaire highlighted no postoperative concerns. Gross examination of the inguinal region revealed no abnormalities and the foal was maturing as expected.