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Discussion on Post Op Hernia
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Member:
redalert
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 9, 2007 - 11:25 am:
Hey Dr. O and All
I am about to take on a 15 year old gelding who had colic surgery about 5 months ago... He actually had to go back into the O.R. twice before he recovered. He developed an infection at the suture site and was quite ill for a month. He was treated with antibiotics, wore a hernia belt, and was hand walked for two or more months. Now, he is doing very well, has limited turnout, and eats normally, has a great attitude. He has however, a very large hernia (about as big as two of my fists). The actual skin is almost completely well, with just a small amount of scabbing that is healing nicely. MY QUESTIONS ARE THESE: How much diminishing in size of the hernia should I expect to occur over time. Should I return him to the use of a bandage to support the area? Is there a surgery that could help him? He has a great attitude, still, hopefully, could be ridden in the future? I would like to do everything I could to return him to a level of wellness that would allow him to be shown again. I am willing to take my time with him. What, generally is the prognisis on recovery from this type of injury?
Thanks in advance for any advice from anyone that has experience with this, as well as DrO's usual learned advice!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 9, 2007 - 6:17 pm:
Hello Nancy,
By five months post op I would not expect the scar tissue to contract down much more. The condition of the surrounding and overlying tissues of the hernia can vary quite a bit so a firm prognosis would best be answered by the surgeon who worked on this horse and can now examine the quality of the healing. There are special prosthesis devices that can be inserted in particularly bad cases so in general I would say the chance to return to work is fair to good in many hernias this size.
DrO
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Member:
redalert
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Posted on Monday, Sep 10, 2007 - 10:42 am:
Thanks DrO
I had read in the HA article that hernia repair should be done at 5 months, I believe. I was not even aware that hernia repair could be done, and I could not find any more info on it! I will be talking wi the vets very soon, as it looks like maybe there is something that can be done besides "just wait and see." I have never had any experience with hernias, so thanks for the response, and I would love, still to hear about any first hand info. from anyone that has had a horse with a post op. hernia! Have you had experiences with one (or more), DrO ? Where can I find more info.?
Thanks, as usual, for your response.
P.S. Dogs got "Spurriered" AGAIN... this time by S.C.! UGGGG!!!!!!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 11, 2007 - 7:44 am:
I missed the good game against OK while traveling and watched the less than great game against SC, a bit of a depressing weekend. Oh well it is a very young team and they do show promise.
We have done many hernia repairs here but most of those were congenital umbilical hernias so really don't apply to your case. I do remember attempting to repair a post surgical hernia without prosthetic mesh that sounds a bit bigger than what you describe. We ended up right back with the same problem and recommended they take it to a referral institution and have the horse evaluated for repair with mesh. As they were not regular clients of mine I lost the horse to any follow up information.
DrO
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 11, 2007 - 11:22 pm:
Hi Nancy,
This isnt the same as your situation but I have a mare that had a smaller congenital hernia (3 finger size). The local vet stapled her hernia at the rescue ranch she was at, but it didnt hold. So she ended up getting the mesh surgery. Its been a year and she looks totally normal. The surgical vet that did it said her prognosis was excellent and she could be returned to normal work after she healed... just my experience. wish you well
leslie
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Member:
redalert
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007 - 9:08 am:
Hey Leslie
I read your post from 2006 when I was researching hernias on HA site! It looks like there are not many hernias out there except for foal hernias!
Thanks so much for responding!
Even tho "our" hernias are different, I do have a few questions for you. How long since the mesh surgery? And, is your horse healed and back at work now? Thanks again for the post.
Nancy
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Member:
redalert
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007 - 9:17 am:
Oh, thanks, DrO for your last post about the horse that you had worked on...And, talk about a depressing weekend, my husband went to the S.C./Ga. game and then sat thru the Falcons (at least they are minus Vic... never liked that showboat, even before the bust for dogfighting). Anyway, I guessed that Sunday was NOT a good day to let my hubby know that we were adopting the horse with a hernia! Not really looking for advice there.... that time will come. Maybe I should consult "Mrs.DrO" for that one!
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 - 12:51 pm:
Hi Nancy,
Its been about a year. Her vet ok'ed her for work about 2 or 3 months after her surgery.The surgeon gave her an excellent prognosis for work. But I havent been able to start her as Ive been pregnant till recently. Ill be starting her in 3 weeks.
Her belly looks totally normal. But her hernia was considered small. All this was done before I got her--while she was still at the rescue place. Thats why Im vague on exact timing.
Your guys' seems very large--2 fists! Sounds like mesh surgery is the way to go for your guy too.
Im interested in breeding her to an Andalusian stud down the street. So I emailed some vets, to see if she can carry the foals weight safely and they said she should be ok if it healed properly and enough time had passed since surgery. Im going to have an ultrasound done on her sugery site before breeding next spring.
Let me know how your guy does
leslie
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Member:
redalert
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Posted on Friday, Sep 14, 2007 - 9:32 am:
Hey Leslie
THANK YOU so much for taking the time to let me know how things went with your horse! It seems like there is no one "out there" that has had a similar problem. GOOD LUCK with your mare... sounds very promising to me. My guy's hernia is much larger, however I still hold out hope for him to return to work. I have already been given much assurance that he, at least will be able to live soundly in the pasture for the rest of his life. I just want more for him (and for me!) Hearing from you has been very helpful!
His hernia is as deep as my fist, and if I put my two fists side by side, It is that long!
Please keep me informed as to how things go with the pregnancy and delivery! I wish you the best and I have a feeling that things will go well!
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Member:
redalert
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Posted on Friday, Sep 14, 2007 - 9:35 am:
Oh good grief... CONGRATS ON YOUR BABY! I got so totally involved in the horse conversation that that nearly slipped by me.
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Friday, Sep 14, 2007 - 2:58 pm:
lol! i know how that goes!
Thanks nancy
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