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  Discussion on Umbilical hernia in 2 month old filly
Author Message
Member:
juliem

Posted on Sunday, Jul 12, 2009 - 10:22 pm:

Dr. O, I've bought a filly that's about 2 and a half months old. I won't get her until weaning, but I had a vet check her in the town where she is because of this hernia. He said it was less than "two fingers" and I could take a "wait and see" approach. His thinking was it wouldn't hurt to wait and it may close on its own. He did palpate it and said it was bigger than one finger. He felt I could wait until a year to determine if surgery was necessary. Here's a close up and a body shot: Given the fact that you just have the photos to judge, do you concur with this advice? Do a fair percentage of these close on their own? Thanks, Julie
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 13, 2009 - 8:38 am:

Julie, from his description it sounds like good advice. At 2 and a 1/2 months I think the prognosis for complete self closure fair but may get small enough to ignore.
DrO
Member:
juliem

Posted on Sunday, Sep 13, 2009 - 8:41 pm:

Dr. O, I have this filly now and to me it seems the hernia is larger. I can push it up into her abdominal area. She was born April 17, 2009. I've haard the term "reducing or reduction" in conjunction with hernias. Is this discussed in an article? Maybe it's not applicable in this case? My question: is this something I should be doing? Is there anything I can do to reduce the possibility of surgery? Thanks.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Sep 14, 2009 - 7:26 pm:

Hello Julie,
No there is nothing you can do to reduce the possibility of surgery and reducing a hernia is a surgical correction. If it needs surgery it is a simple procedure with small hernias. The skin and overlying tissue are incised, the incomplete tissue has its edges "freshened" then apposed with sutures. The overlying tissues are then sutured back together.
DrO
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