Equine Umbilical Hernia Treatment

Umbilical hernias happen to newborn foals. Veterinarian Thomas A. Gore, along with other authors in "Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook" (2008), says that umbilical hernias tend to be minor ailments in foals, but sometimes surgery is necessary.

  1. Identification

    • Equine umbilical hernias look as if a small piece of the umbilical cord is still attached to the foal. A hard swelling that causes a foal pain is another type of umbilical hernia.

    Types

    • Two types of umbilical hernias are seen in foals. The less serious, painless type is just called umbilical hernia. The second, painful type is a strangulated umbilical hernia and is more dangerous.

    Cause

    • According to veterinarian Justin Harper, equine umbilical hernias are usually caused by a birth defect. The foal's body fails to close off the wound created when the umbilical cord is detached.

    Size

    • Harper notes that umbilical hernias in foals can vary greatly in size, from 2 to 12 cm in width.

    Treatment

    • "Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook" notes that strangulated hernias in foals need immediate surgery so the intestines do not drop out of the hole in the body. However, regular umbilical hernias usually cure themselves by the time the foal is a yearling.