Synonyms

No known synonym

Name of the disease in English

Umbilical hernia

The disease in brief

This is a very common congenital anomaly, probably of hereditary origin for a large part of them; some small hernias will disappear in the first days of life. The hernia can be combined with an infection of the elements of the cord, which leads to a more complex clinical picture (Dedicated memo). The hernia may contain a segment of small intestine and/or omentum; these elements are easy to push into the abdomen by pressure on the hernial sac, and they come out when the pressure is released. This confirmatory examination cannot be performed when a portion of intestine or omentum is strangulated, with a risk of occlusion and peritonitis.

Clinic & diagnosis

If a navel is larger than normal and pressure on the swollen part causes it to retract into the abdomen, a hernia is suspected. There is no pain or heat when palpating the diseased area, the skin is normal and there is no fever. If this portion cannot be retracted and colic is observed, it is necessary to consider that the hernia may be strangulated. This is then a vital emergency (occlusive syndrome)

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

-Abscess and associated hernia of the navel CH1.2

-Deep abscess of the navel-To be specified CH1.5

-Strangulated hernia: impossible to retract and with pain and colic.

–Postoperative eventration of omphalitis (same findings as eventration LC30_2 but postoperative and at the site of the navel)

Confirm a suspicion?

Ultrasound is the means of choice for confirmation. We can then specify whether a digestive structure is involved or not.

Prognosis and treatment

If the ring is less than 5 cm in diameter, in a calf less than one month old, spontaneous healing can be expected during growth; if healing does not occur or if a portion of the intestinal contents gets inside the hernial sac, surgical intervention must be planned.

Prevention

Do not keep calves with an umbilical hernia as breeding stock.

References

Large animal internal Medecine-5^th edition. SMITH B.BP. Mosby ed p 236