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Lynn Bystrom
Member
Username: Bystrom
Post Number: 60
Registered: 9-1999
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 13, 2006 - 12:33 am: |   |
Hi:
Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on umbilical hernia's. We currently have a 4 month old colt, who I noticed had a slight 'outpouch' a couple weeks ago. Hadn't noticed anything prior to that time....really, I'm not a bad 'mom'. When the vet examined him for his health certificate, as this colt has been sold, I asked her to check out the hernia. She called it a 2 finger...I'm only able to get one in....maybe I have bigger fingers? But, regardless, it is there. The new owner purchased him as a stallion prospect, and we've been chatting back and forth about this. Is there any research as to the inheritability percentage of umbilical hernias? Also, I would imagine it's individual, but any ideas as to percentages that would require surgery? I'm just trying to make this as fair to the new owner as possible. We've occasionally had hernias in foals, but there doesn't seem to be a real pattern to them. We normally don't do anything, and they resolve. Maybe I should be more concerned?? Any information would be appreciated! Thank you! Lynn |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 1300
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 13, 2006 - 9:23 am: | |
There is a study of the University of Utrecht, that says congenital defects of the umbilical ring are 2%. Can't find the study, but I'm pretty sure for the number.
"we've occasionally had hernias in foals" worries me a bit. It should read "we've had one or two hernias in foals".
The main reason behind hernias is the mare getting up too early and straining the umbilical cord before it is ready to break. You may want to leave them totally undisturbed until the cord breaks.
Our trainer had made a hole on the wall of the foaling box to watch for trouble and we weren't allowed to make a single sound until the cord was broken. |
Lynn Bystrom
Member
Username: Bystrom
Post Number: 61
Registered: 9-1999
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 13, 2006 - 10:08 am: | |
Thanks for your input. I appreciate it. This colt was out of a maiden mare, who initially rejected him. She was very quick to her feet after delivery, seemingly wanting to kill this 'thing' that caused her so much discomfort. I had heard that hernias can be aquired the way you describe, so when my vet said it could be hereditary issue, it seemed to contradict what I had thought. Trauma to the cord vs heredity? |
Virginia E. Brahmer
Member
Username: Ginny
Post Number: 9
Registered: 11-1999
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 13, 2006 - 11:20 am: | |
Hi,
I just thought that I'd throw in my two cents. I have a mare that has given me three beautiful fillies, all of which have small umbilical hernias. The mare shows no sign of this herself but after three foals and all of them having the hernias, I'm more inclined to believe that this is a heredity thing. Maybe Dr. O will shed more light on the subject. |
Lynn Bystrom
Member
Username: Bystrom
Post Number: 62
Registered: 9-1999
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 13, 2006 - 1:38 pm: | |
Thank you, Ginny! It truly helps to get input from others. Did the hernia's close on their own, from your experience? |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 1302
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Aug 13, 2006 - 2:06 pm: | |
Here's the abstract, can't find the whole article:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1 0955891&dopt=Abstract |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 16380
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 14, 2006 - 6:29 am: | |
Hello Lynn,
as noted in Christos' reference above umbilical hernias are often considered to not be of genetic origin but other than surveys there is little evidence that I know of one way or the other.
I think I would pursue this by carefully checking into the parentage of this stallion to see if a pattern of hernias can be found if you go back a few generations. If not it makes it much less likely that this will be something he passes on to the foals.
DrO |
Lynn Bystrom
Member
Username: Bystrom
Post Number: 63
Registered: 9-1999
| | Posted on Monday, Aug 14, 2006 - 8:43 am: | |
Thanks Dr. O, Cristos, and Ginny. Much appreciated.
Lynn |
