A large swelling of the penis and prepuce in a 5-year-old donkey was observed by inspection. Palpation and a thorough examination revealed a ventro-abdominal hernia at the level of the penis.
A surgical correction of the hernia was performed by an incision parallel to the penis and prepuce, respectively. The hernial content with the intact peri¬toneum was reduced, the hernial ring sutured and the skin wound coapted. In this context it should be emphasised that swellings of the penis and prepuce require a more precise differential diagnosis, because such swellings can be misleading (posthitis, balanitis, phimosis, etc.).
The diagnosis "ventro-abdominal hernia" has to be established by palpation as well as determination of the hernial ring.