Calf hernia: symptoms and diagnosis, what to do and how to treat

Pets are subject to more than just injury and infectious disease. They may develop lesions associated with various pathologies, including congenital ones. One of the most common problems is hernia in the calf, which can cause dangerous complications in case of improper treatment or its complete absence. They do not treat infections, therefore they do not threaten the entire herd, but they can kill the calf.

What is this pathology

Hernia is a protrusion of internal organs, most often the intestines, through a hole formed in the connective tissues.If the problem is not de alt with in a timely manner, the hernia may begin to increase in size due to further outward movement of the loops of the intestines and organs.

This can cause strangulation, circulatory problems and intestinal obstruction. Such conditions not only cause severe pain and discomfort to the animal, but in a neglected state can cause the death of young animals.

Causes of the disease

Hernia can be of the following types:

1. Innate. It occurs due to a hereditary tendency to muscle weakness and low tissue elasticity. Also, the cause of this type of hernia is the expansion of the umbilical ring.
2. Purchased. This pathology develops due to trauma, for example, a blow to the stomach, a severe bruise during a fall, and also due to the entry of pathogens into an open wound formed during the circumcision of the umbilical cord.

If the abdominal wall is weak, the protrusion of organs and parts of the intestine will continue due to internal pressure, so it is absolutely impossible to ignore such a pathology.

Symptoms of disease

In the initial stages of the development of the disease, its signs may not be evident, since at this time the animal still feels well and does not suffer from pain. But hernia in calves can be visible to the naked eye, so veterinarians and owners need to carefully examine the litter immediately after birth, and then regularly during the first weeks and months of the animal's life.

A hernia in young animals is defined as a pineal protrusion in the navel, soft, rather mobile, not always painful.

In the initial stages, it can be reduced with a light touch of the fingers, but with the slightest effort or movement of the calf, the hernia comes out again.If the problem is in an advanced stage, part of the intestine, and sometimes other organs, enters the umbilical opening. This results in the following symptoms:

1. Pain, especially when moving or touching the affected area.
2. Slight rise in temperature.
3. Loss of appetite.
4. Impaired excretory function.
5. Anxiety, restlessness or lethargy in the calf.

It is impossible to ignore such signs, because at any moment the hernia can be infringed, and this poses a direct threat to life.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis is carried out visually and by palpation, the diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of characteristic signs.On examination, the veterinarian finds a specific protrusion in the navel, which can be mobile and painful. The presence of a hernia is confirmed by a rise in temperature by several degrees, disturbances in appetite and stool, and changes in the behavior of the animal.

How to properly treat an umbilical hernia in calves

If the hernia is small (up to 30 millimeters across), it is not life threatening. Animals need to be supervised. Most often, nothing will have to be done, since during the year of the life of the young, the hernia may disappear on its own due to the strengthening of the muscle corset and the closure of the umbilical opening.

In all other cases, mandatory treatment will be required, which is carried out in various ways.

Conservative treatment

In the event that a hernia in calves is detected in a timely manner, when it is still insignificant, there is no infringement, inflammation and adhesions, you can help the babies by reduction.

To do this, the veterinarian gently massages the area of the hernia, stimulating the relaxation of the muscle ring. Then he delicately, without any extra effort, sets the tissues that have come out into the hole. In order to prevent re-outward protrusion, the hernia site is sealed with a dense plaster, additionally fixed with a special bandage. The calf needs to be kept quiet for about a week for this treatment to go smoothly and bring relief.

In the future, the injured animal must be protected from physical exertion, shock and injury.

Surgery

If the hernia in the calf is inflamed, there is suppuration, a loop of intestine or other tissues has got into the hole, there is an infringement, adhesions that threaten necrosis, urgent surgical intervention will be required.

The operation is performed by a veterinarian under local anesthesia.The navel area is cleaned of hair, disinfected and anesthetized. The incision of the abdominal wall is carried out 20 mm from the edge of the hernia. The resulting bag is removed, if necessary, the inflamed tissues are cleaned, the protruding organs are gently set, and the hole is sutured. To prevent recurrence of hernia in calves, fixing staples are applied to the operation site.

Post-operative period

After the intervention, the animal is provided with peace, bedding with clean straw, light, well-digestible food and constant access to clean drinking water. If necessary, the calf is injected with antibiotics, as well as painkillers if necessary. On the fifth or tenth day after the operation, the sutures are removed, but the condition of the calf is continued to be monitored. If his temperature rises, discharge or pus appears, the seams diverge, it is urgent to take action and call a veterinarian, as dangerous complications are possible.

Consequences of lack of treatment

Umbilical hernia in calves is a life-threatening pathology that requires careful attention, especially if it is infringed. Trying to cope with this condition on your own is extremely dangerous, since adhesions may form if infringed. If you try to set the intestine with force, this can lead to ruptures and outflow of contents into the abdominal cavity. This threatens with an extremely serious consequence - the development of peritonitis, in which there is a high risk of losing a calf.

If hernias in calves are not treated in a timely manner, this can lead to the development of the following complications:

1. Infringement leading to the development of necrosis and tissue rupture.
2. Formation of adhesions, excluding the possibility of non-surgical reduction of a hernia in a calf.
3. Inflammatory process (phlegmon) of the hernial sac. It can spread to the abdominal wall and move to the affected part of the organs, accompanied by an increase in temperature and a sharp deterioration in the general well-being of the animal.The condition threatens the rapid spread of infection, damage to vital organs, general intoxication and the development of sepsis (blood poisoning).

It is impossible to assume that any hernia in calves will go away on its own. When it is detected, the animal must be under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Prevention

If the formation of an umbilical hernia in offspring is associated with heredity, it is impossible to prevent it, but there is a chance to cope with it in the early stages. In other situations, you can protect the animal from the formation of a hernial sac by keeping the calf in comfortable conditions, preventing injury, bumps, falls.

Scientists from the US believe that an infection that enters the umbilical wound is a risk factor, so frequent treatment with available antiseptics, such as tincture of iodine, can serve as a preventive measure. This will help speed up healing and reduce the risk.

Also preventive is the use of plastic clamps to prevent expansion of the umbilical ring and hernia in calves.

This condition is not uncommon in newborns and toddlers, but needs to be handled carefully to avoid painful and risky consequences. If the presence of a hernia is ignored, it will cause the gradual development of a hernia and inflammation, which can lead to a sudden complication and death of a young animal.

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