Recently, the incidence of calves being born with umbilical hernias has increased. At an early age, umbilical hernias are diagnosed by palpation, and later by the presence of a skin hernial sac. Calves with umbilical hernias grow and fatten worse. They may experience various complications, including death. Such animals are usually culled on farms.

In 8 farms of the Leningrad region, we found that in 4-7% of calves the most common pathology is umbilical hernia. The umbilical ring has a diameter of 1.5 to 5 cm. Laboratory studies of the hormonal activity and morphological structure of the thyroid gland in hernia-carrying calves have noted a decrease in its functional activity and underdevelopment.

Fixation and anesthesia. The animal is fixed in a dorsal position. For local anesthesia, a 0.5% solution of novocaine (trimecaine) is used, injected along the line of the intended incision, or electroanalgesia is used.

Operation technique. The surgical field is prepared according to the rules accepted in surgery. For a small hernial sac, a spindle-shaped incision is made bordering the hernial protrusion. If the latter is large, two arcuate incisions are made in the longitudinal direction. The skin covering the hernial sac is prepared and removed. The hernial sac is separated from the subcutaneous tissue, from the aponeuroses of the oblique abdominal muscles by 2 cm in all directions. Near the neck, the hernial sac is opened and the contents are straightened out. The umbilical vessels located in the cavity of the hernial sac are separated from the loose connective tissue surrounding them, tied with a ligature and crossed. After this, the hernial sac is amputated.

In calves, the peritoneum is very thin, the preperitoneal fatty tissue is poorly developed, so it is difficult to separate the peritoneum from the edge of the hernial opening. In these cases, scarification of the peritoneum is performed with a scalpel along the inner surface of one of the edges of the defect. Then the hernial opening is closed with a loop-shaped suture. To do this, the inner scarified surface is stitched with a surgical needle from the outside inward at a distance of 2 cm from the edge. The needle is withdrawn from the very edge of the wound. Stepping 1-1.5 cm to the side from this injection, stitch the same edge from the inside out. The suture is completed by stitching the side of the defect from which the suture was started, from the inside to the outside at a distance of 1-1.5 cm from the first injection and 2 cm from the edge. Usually 2-3 stitches are applied. Then the hernial opening is closed by tensioning the ligatures. Without loosening the tension of the ligatures, they are tied one by one. Then, with a knotted suture, the outer edge of the hernial orifice is sutured to the aponeurosis of the oblique abdominal muscles of the edge of the defect that is located in the depths. The skin is sutured using an interrupted suture that captures the subcutaneous tissue. On the 5th day after surgery, the sutures are removed. Usually the wound heals by primary intention.

If the diameter is small, the hernial opening is closed with a purse-string suture, which is passed through the abdominal wall without affecting the peritoneum.

To avoid opening the abdominal cavity, a number of other surgical methods are used. For example, a linear incision is made. The hernial sac is dissected and its contents are inserted into the abdominal cavity, twisted 2-3 times along the longitudinal axis, stitched with catgut and inserted into the hernial ring. The edges of the latter are brought together with knotted sutures applied like a Lambert suture. These methods are relatively simple, but they often cause relapses.

If a strong, intractable adhesion of the peritoneum with an intestinal loop is detected during surgery, proceed as follows. The peritoneum is collected into a transverse fold and an incision is made near the site of its adhesion to the intestine. Through this incision, curved scissors are used to cut off the entire area of ​​the peritoneum fused with the intestinal loop and leave it on the intestinal wall. The intestinal loop, together with the remaining flap of peritoneum, is inserted into the abdominal cavity, after which the hernial opening and skin wound are closed with sutures.

In cases of strangulated hernias, sometimes due to inflammatory edema it is difficult to push the prolapsed part of the intestine into the abdominal cavity. In order to prevent rupture of the prolapsed intestine at the time of its reduction into the abdominal cavity, it is recommended to slightly enlarge the wound of the abdominal wall in one of its corners with a button scalpel.

Don Gardner, DVM in Huddleston, Virginia, agrees and adds that umbilical hernias are closely related to umbilical infections that the calf gets at calving. “It is very rare for an infectious umbilical hernia to occur one or more days after the umbilical scar has dried and hardened.”
Leadley also believes that some umbilical hernias may be caused by genetics, but to a lesser extent. “Experience shows, and it is widely known, that, especially among Holstein heifers, a whole “stream” of hernias can suddenly occur. A check of the bull's records shows that, in fact, in most cases, hernias occur in heifers born from the semen of the same bull. One farm bought 50 portions of bull X’s semen, and now they have a whole chain reaction of hernias.”
There is a hole in the calf's abdominal wall through which the umbilical cord passes. Most of the time the hole is very small and closes on its own. Problems only come when the hole gets wider. Most veterinarians define the size of the hole in terms of "toes". “This one is a two-finger hernia, but it looks like it will go away on its own,” Leadley says. - Wow, this one has a hernia of three fingers, quite wide. We need to do something about this."
“In most cases, the skin will heal in about a week,” says Gardner. “The abdominal wall is weak and thin, and gradually stretches, and by two to four months of the calf’s life, the defect expands into a hernial sac.” After the umbilical area heals, the skin with the hair covering it will look like a bag hanging a few centimeters below the abdominal wall. Typically, if you squeeze the contents, they should disappear into the abdominal cavity.

Infections
Leadley explains that when a calf is born - partially or completely - the placement of the umbilical arteries, veins or urachus into the abdominal cavity may not occur. In addition, the risk of infection and physical damage increases. In some cases, the urachus does not completely heal. Then urine will drip from the umbilical cord for several days, causing moisture and increasing the risk of infection.
Signs of infection include a wet belly button and a bad odor. Gardner notes that part of the umbilical cord will swell, eventually harden and, in the worst case, become as stiff as a rope.
Sometime during the first week of a calf's life, many of the infections can become chronic. "That's why you can often see bedding straw sticking out of a calf's belly," Leadley explains. - When checking calves with chronic inflammation, it often turns out that the natural healing processes of the hole are disrupted. If you look at calves that have no obvious problems at calving, and compare calves that are treated for infection with calves that are not treated, you can tell without looking that infected calves are three or four times more likely to contract hernia.

The disease begins at calving
Gardner notes that whenever he has seen an umbilical hernia problem, it has meant that the farm has used some mild antiseptic—non-drying, non-alcohol-based—on the umbilicus. “Although it will take some work to find, if you can get a 7 percent iodine solution and have staff do a complete treatment of the umbilical appendix as soon as possible after the calf is born, I think the problems in this area will go away,” he says. He.
The standard error of the procedure is partial, but not complete processing. When processing, you should use a strong cauterizing agent, for example, a 7% iodine solution. Gardner believes that when treating the navel, the drying effect is equally, if not more important than the disinfecting effect. “I have consistently seen an increase in umbilical hernias when my clients switch to a mild iodine solution,” he says. After treating the umbilicus, the calf should be moved to a clean, dry area to ensure protection from various pathogens.
Sam Leadley's navel treatment instructions also include a concentrated iodine solution (7%). “It is not uncommon to find farms where employees substitute one iodine solution for another, mistakenly believing that all iodine solutions are the same.”
Partial processing can be a separate problem. “When I have the opportunity to show students the umbilical debridement process on a live animal, I show that not just the tip of the umbilical cord, but the entire umbilical cord all the way down to the belly needs to be treated with umbilical cord debridement,” Leadley says. - I tell students: look for the “donut”. This means that the umbilical cord and even part of the abdomen should turn brown after treatment. But around the umbilical cord, where it comes out of the abdomen, there will be a neat white ring (“donut”).”
Leadley adds that if there is excessive exposure to pathogens (very high numbers, too long an exposure period), even the strictest adherence to the best treatment techniques will not help the situation.
If available at birth, small plastic umbilical clamps will be helpful to prevent germs from entering the inside of the belly button. "However, I don't recommend using them until three or four hours after calving because that will leave bacteria in the umbilical area," warns Gardner.
Gardner suggests that calves with swollen belly buttons can be helped by injecting a compounded antibiotic mixture into the very center of the abdomen and distributing it up and down the umbilical cord by applying pressure to a plunger. "You're doing everything right if it comes out of the ventral end of the umbilical cord," he says. - Repeat the same procedure with the appropriate dose of antibiotics for 7-10 days. If the infection spreads to the liver and the pus runs up, it will be difficult to deal with and some calves will be very unlucky.”

Hernia correction
Most hernias do not require correction. Gardner is convinced that most hernias less than three fingers wide do not require surgery. “I don't think surgery is necessary unless the hole is wide enough that three fingers can fit into the abdominal wall,” he says. “Almost all the small holes will close on their own by the time the calf is one year old.”
Leadley notes that veterinarians should palpate the umbilical area, determine the size of any cavity protruding through the abdominal wall, make assumptions about the presence or absence of an intestinal loop in the cavity, the length and width of the cavity, and, if infected, the degree of danger of infection. “All of this will help in deciding what measures to take to close the hole or determining how quickly the hole will close on its own without our intervention,” he says.
When Gardner surgically repairs a hernia, he removes the hernia sac and stitches the abdominal wall with stainless steel fiber until the linea alba is healed and long-term tissue repair begins. He repeats the suture line with chrome suture to firmly suture the wall and then performs a subcutaneous suture, sewing the tissue from the inside to prevent seroma formation, and then sutures the skin with long-lasting absorbable sutures such as Vicryl suture.

Following and complying with protocol
When Leadley goes out to visit another client, he always stops in the calving section. “I look to see if there is a cord treatment and the necessary equipment, such as a solution cup, a five-liter canister, a spray bottle. I check to see if there is an iodine solution instead of a nipple treatment. I find four or five of the smallest calves, turn them over and look for a sign that the umbilical cord procedure is being done completely - no "donuts".
Occasionally, Leadley discovers dirty equipment, such as when using a teat cup, solution continually spills out of the hole. “Some guys use nipple treatment bottles that release solution when you squeeze the bottle, and shake off the excess solution immediately after treating the belly button. This procedure is recommended, but some bottles become, so to speak, clogged with dried iodine, and the top of the bottle becomes dark brown. "I'm trying to convince customers to replace these bottles with new ones."
To help clients prevent umbilical infections, Leadley not only creates a treatment protocol for the umbilical area, but also teaches the necessary treatment techniques and also monitors the protocol. “People need to be clear about what is expected of them,” he says. - It is necessary to show everyone how to do this work correctly and from time to time check whether its implementation complies with the given instructions. My best farms follow strict procedures and also keep records of every calf that has had their umbilical area treated and fed colostrum. Therefore, everything possible should be done to ensure that people caring for calves feel responsible for the work being done.”

Etiology, symptoms, differential diagnosis, prevention

Hernia (hernia) is the displacement of part of an internal organ (intestines, uterus, omentum, bladder, etc.) from one or another anatomical cavity with protrusion of the membrane lining it (peritoneum, pleura, meninges).

When the viscera come out directly under the skin due to rupture of the muscular aponeurotic layers and lining membrane, they speak of subcutaneous prolapse of the viscera.

In a hernia there are:

hernial opening (ring, gate), hernial sac and contents.

A hernial opening is a defect formed in the wall of an anatomical cavity or a wide anatomical opening (umbilical, inguinal, diaphragmatic, cranial, etc.). It is located in the place where vessels, nerves, spermatic cord, etc. pass through the abdominal wall or in areas of muscle and aponeurotic fibers.

Hernial sac is a protrusion through the hernial opening of the lining membrane of one or another anatomical cavity (peritoneum, pleura, common vaginal membrane, etc.).

The contents of the hernial sac are intestinal loops, omentum, uterine horns, stomach and other organs. By palpation, percussion, auscultation and location, you can determine the nature of the hernial contents. If there are intestinal loops in the hernial sac, a tympanic sound is determined by percussion, and peristalsis is heard by auscultation. The omentum and uterus in the hernial sac give a dull sound upon percussion.

Classification of hernias.

By origin they are distinguished: congenital and acquired.

Congenital hernias - an animal is born with this pathology as a result of non-closure of the natural opening. Acquired hernias occur during the life of the animal, due to injury, sprains, and relaxation of the muscle layers or congenital weakness of the muscles of the abdominal wall.

Hernias are reducible and irreducible. With reducible hernias, the contents of the hernial sac move freely into the anatomical cavity when the animal’s position changes or pressure is applied by hand.

The swelling is soft, elastic; after reduction of the hernial contents, the hernial opening can be felt.

In cases where the hernial contents are not reduced into the cavity, it is called an irreducible (fixed) hernia. The causes of irreducible hernias are a narrow hernial opening, secondary bruises and the occurrence of inflammatory processes that cause the development of fibrous adhesions of intestinal loops both among themselves and with the walls of the hernial sac.

A dangerous type of irreducible hernia is a strangulated hernia, which occurs as a result of compression of the hernial contents (most often the intestine) in the hernial opening due to the expansion of intestinal loops by gases and stuck dense feces; as a result of strangulation, a sharp disturbance of blood circulation occurs in the strangulated intestinal loop, a swelling appears and increases in volume, it becomes dense and tense. In the cavity of the strangulated intestine, microflora quickly develops, which causes a gangrenous process of the intestinal wall, spreading to the mesentery and purulent peritonitis develops. In case of strangulation of the omentum, vomiting is observed.

According to anatomical and topographical criteria, hernias are divided into umbilical, lateral abdominal wall, diaphragmatic, perineal, inguinal-scrotal.

A surgical operation that involves eliminating a hernial protrusion and plastically strengthening a weak spot in the abdominal wall is called herniotomy. The purpose of this operation is to eliminate the abdominal wall defect and restore the natural position and function of the prolapsed organs. It is always advisable to carry it out if multiple strangulations have been observed, because a strangulated hernia if untimely surgery leads to the death of the animal.

An abdominal hernia is a hernia that occurs in the lateral or lower abdominal wall. Their hernial orifice is an artificial opening formed as a result of rupture of the abdominal muscles and their aponeuroses. Abdominal hernias are common in cattle and pigs, less common in other animals.

Etiology.

The main cause of abdominal hernia is severe trauma (hit by a horn, hoof, drawbar, fall on the stomach, etc.), pathological birth in cows. In horses, hernias occur in cases of severe tension, stretching and tears of the muscles and stretching of the aponeuroses while maintaining the integrity of the peritoneum; during grazing, when animals lie on knots or rocky hills. A hernia often appears on the left side of the abdominal wall and less often on the right.

Pathogenesis.

As a result of injuries that cause stretching, tearing or rupture of the muscles of the abdominal wall and their aponeuroses, a defect is formed in it, into which the parietal peritoneum protrudes. Intestinal loops, omentum, uterus, abomasum, scar and other internal organs can be displaced into the hernial sac formed by it. If, during an injury, the peritoneum ruptures and internal organs fall out under the skin or into the intermuscular spaces, then this pathology is called prolapse, or prolapse. If any of the insides fall out, then such prolapse is called eventration.

Symptoms.

Abdominal hernias arising from trauma can be localized in the iliac region, the hungry fossa, the hypochondrium, the xiphoid cartilage, along the white line and in the last intercostal spaces.

In the first days of the disease, diffuse inflammatory edema and sometimes hemolymphatic extravasation are observed at the site of the developing hernia, which make it difficult to recognize the hernia. After the inflammatory phenomena disappear, the remaining swelling becomes more or less limited and less painful. It decreases with pressure. Sometimes it is possible to push the contents of the swelling into the abdominal cavity and palpate the hernial ring. Subsequently, connective tissue grows together along the periphery of the hernial sac. The size of the hernia may vary.

In the area of ​​the lower and lateral walls of the abdomen, hernias are usually large, and in the area of ​​the hungry fossa and in the intercostal space - small.

Differential diagnosis of hernias and prolapses based on clinical signs is difficult. It is usually installed at the time of surgery. However, it should be borne in mind that with prolapses, inflammatory edema and swelling are larger than with hernias, and they do not have clear boundaries.

For non-strangulated hernias, the prognosis is usually favorable; for strangulated hernias, the prognosis is from cautious to unfavorable due to the possibility of developing purulent peritonitis.

In new cases, anti-inflammatory therapy is used, after the elimination of acute inflammatory phenomena, an operation is performed using one of the methods of surgical treatment of umbilical hernias described below. However, it must be borne in mind that loop-shaped sutures made of durable silk are usually applied to the abdominal muscles and their aponeuroses, and interrupted sutures are applied to the skin; for large hernial orifices, they are closed using a lavsan or nylon mesh.

Prevention.

In order to prevent injury, large animals are subjected to dehorning (dehorning). Livestock premises should be regularly inspected for the presence of sharp objects that could accidentally injure the animal. Avoid overexerting animals.

The soft abdominal wall can be divided into the following layers:

1st layer - fasciocutaneous (superficial) includes:

b) subcutaneous tissue,

c) superficial fascia with subfascial tissue;

2nd layer - muscular aponeurotic (middle) - includes:

a) deep fascia,

c) blood vessels and nerves;

3rd layer - the inner surface of the abdominal wall, abdominal and pelvic organs (deep) includes:

a) transverse fascia,

b) peritoneal tissue,

c) parietal peritoneum, omentum, internal organs of the abdominal cavity and pelvis.

The structure of the soft abdominal wall

The skin is thinnest in the ventral part of the abdominal wall. The subcutaneous tissue and the following superficial fascia are closely fused. Between the layers of the superficial fascia there is the subcutaneous muscle of the trunk, which is present only in the posteroinferior part of the soft abdominal wall, extending into the iliopatellar fold. The subfascial tissue running in the next layer is well developed and contains the mammary glands in females, and the prepuce in males; in front of the tensor fascia lata in the tissue, above the kneecap, there is a patellar lymph node; in the groin area - superficial inguinal lymph nodes.

In the same layer there are the subcutaneous artery and vein of the abdomen (a. et v. subcutanea abdominis). In cows, the vein reaches a large size during lactation and is clearly visible; it flows into the internal mammary vein through the “milk well” - an opening located in the area of ​​the xiphoid process of the sternum. Sometimes there are two openings, and accordingly the vein branches.

The yellow abdominal fascia (fascia flava abdominis) is a continuation of the lumbar fascia. It is a dense and thick yellowish plate, most well developed in herbivores; it is fused with the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle of the abdomen and separates the deep fascia for the penis in males, and the suspensory ligament for the udder in females.

External oblique abdominal muscle (m. obiiquus abdominis externus). The anterior superior edge of the muscle is attached to the posterior edges of all ribs starting from the 5th; with its superoposterior part it is attached to the last rib and lies near the ends of the transverse costal processes. Here the muscle reaches the maklok and passes into the aponeurosis, merging with the lumbodorsal fascia. The muscle itself covers the upper part of the ilia and a small section of the chest wall approximately to the line of attachment of the diaphragm, having the direction of the muscle fibers from front to back and slightly down. The aponeurosis is divided into abdominal, pelvic and femoral parts. The abdominal part takes part in the formation of the white line and the outer plate of the rectus abdominis sheath; posteriorly it is attached to the tubercle of the pubic bone. The pelvic part is thickened and between the points of its attachment (maklok and tubercle of the pubic bone) is called the inguinal or pupart ligament (lig. inguinale). Between it and the final part of the abdominal section of the split aponeurosis, a subcutaneous or external opening (ring) of the inguinal canal is formed. The femoral part of the aponeurosis merges on the medial surface of the thigh, with its deep fascia.

The internal oblique muscle of the abdomen (m. obliquus abdominis interims) begins from the lumbar fascia at the level of the transverse costal processes of the lumbar vertebrae, the macle and partly on the inguinal ligament and goes fan-shaped, expanding down and forward to the costal arch and to the outer edge of the rectus abdominis muscle. Between the muscle bundles near the macular area there is a gap through which the deep circumferential iliac artery emerges, giving off branches into the thickness of both oblique abdominal muscles. The muscle aponeurosis takes part in the formation of the fascial sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle.

The rectus abdominis muscle (m. rectus abdominis) is located on the ventral wall of the abdomen in the form of two layers running along the white line, starting from the 4-5th costal cartilage and ending on the pubic bone. The cranial epigastric artery passes on the dorsal surface of the preumbilical part of the muscle, and the caudal epigastric artery penetrates the retroumbilical part of the muscle; both arteries anastomose in the umbilical region.

The transverse abdominal muscle (m. rransversus abdominis) originates on the transverse costal processes of the vertebrae and on the cartilages of the false ribs along the line of attachment of the diaphragm. The posterior edge of the muscular part of the muscle coincides with the border of the iliac and inguinal regions. The muscle fibers have a vertical direction and pass into the lamellar aponeurosis, which covers the dorsal surface of the rectus muscle and, together with other aponeuroses of the abdominal muscles, takes part in the formation of the rectus sheath and linea alba. The place of transition of the muscular part of the muscle into the tendon coincides with the same transition into the tendons of the oblique abdominal muscles. As a result, an elongated aponeurotic zone is formed on the soft abdominal wall, limited from below by the outer edge of the rectus abdominis muscle; its length reaches 12 cm. This area is a weak point of the inferolateral abdominal wall, where abdominal hernias often occur as a result of trauma. The transverse abdominis muscle is very firmly connected to the transversus abdominis fascia. Near the maclocus, on the outer surface of the muscle, there is the deep circumferential iliac artery, which divides into two branches.

On both sides of the transverse muscle there are trunks and branches of the intercostal and lumbar nerves, which take part in the innervation of the soft abdominal wall, in females partly the mammary gland, and in males the prepuce. The ventral branches of the lumbar arteries run along the outer surface of the muscle.

The transverse fascia (fascia transversa), preperitoneal tissue (panniculus retroperitonealis) and parietal peritoneum are closely connected to each other. In well-fed animals, preperitoneal tissue is well developed.

The white line of the abdomen (linea alba) is a narrow elongated fibrous triangle formed from the fusion of the aponeuroses of the abdominal muscles, yolk and transverse fascia and stretching from the xiphoid cartilage to the pubic fusion. Approximately in the middle of the white line there is a compacted scar area - the navel. The widest part of the linea alba is its pre-umbilical section.

Blood supply to the abdominal wall is provided by:

a) branches of the popliteal artery of the abdomen (from the external pudendal artery);

b) partly by the branches of the external thoracic artery;

c) intercostal arteries;

d) lumbar arteries, the main trunks of which pass between the transverse and internal oblique abdominal muscles;

e) the encircling deep iliac artery, from the latter two branches extend to the hungry fossa and the area of ​​the iliac proper;

e) cranial and caudal epigastric arteries, running one towards the other inside the rectus sheath along its dorsolateral edge.

The first of them is a continuation of the internal thoracic artery, and the second departs from the epigastric trunk (truncus pudendo-epigastricus). Arteries are accompanied by veins of the same name.

Lymphatic drainage occurs through superficial and deep lymphatic vessels located in the subcutaneous tissue and muscles; most of them accompany blood vessels. In the abdominal area, lymphatic vessels flow into the patellar lymph node, into the lateral iliac nodes, located in the peritoneal tissue at the base of the macular area, and into the inguinal superficial and deep lymph nodes.

Innervation.

All layers of the abdominal wall are internalized by the thoracic nerves, mainly by their ventral branches (intercostal nerves, starting from the 7th to the last), as well as by the dorsal and ventral branches of the lumbar nerves. The ventral branch of the thoracic last nerve (last intercostal nerve) reaches the caudoventral iliac region. The dorsal branches of the lumbar nerves innervate the skin of the area of ​​the hungry fossa; their ventral branches (iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal and external spermatic nerves) innervate all parts of the ilia, groin, prepuce, most of the udder and scrotum.

An umbilical hernia is a protrusion of the peritoneum and the protrusion of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity (intestines, omentum, etc.) through the expanded umbilical ring. The disease is observed very often in piglets and puppies, less often in calves and foals.
Reasons. Hernias can be congenital or acquired. The first occurs in cases where an excessively wide umbilical opening remains unclosed after the birth of the animal, the second - due to trauma to the abdominal wall (hits by a horn, hoof, fall, etc.). Acquired hernias are also possible after abdominal surgery, with excessive tension in the abdominal muscles as a result of increased intra-abdominal pressure (during childbirth, heavy work, severe tenesmus, etc.).
Pathogenesis. Congenital hernias develop as a result of untimely fusion of the umbilical ring in the postnatal period. The umbilical ring soon after birth (in piglets during the first month) becomes obliterated and overgrown with fibrous tissue. If this does not happen, then the young connective tissue covering the umbilical ring, under the influence of intra-abdominal pressure, stretches and gives rise to the formation of a hernia.
The formation of acquired umbilical hernias is based on an imbalance between abdominal pressure and the resistance of the abdominal wall. Tension of the abdominal wall due to falls, blows, heavy work and severe tenesmus leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. The latter contributes to the divergence of the edges of the hernial ring, protrusion of the peritoneum and viscera through the artificially formed hole.
Clinical signs. In each hernia, a hernial opening is distinguished through which the internal organs emerge; hernial sac - protruded parietal peritoneum; hernial contents – omentum, intestinal loops, etc.
With the development of an umbilical hernia, a sharply limited, painless, soft swelling, usually hemispherical, appears in the navel area. When auscultating the swelling, bowel peristaltic sounds are heard. With a reducible hernia, its contents are reduced into the abdominal cavity, after which it is possible to palpate the edges of the hernial ring and determine its shape and size. An irreducible hernia does not decrease in volume due to pressure; its contents cannot be reduced into the abdominal cavity due to the presence of adhesions of the hernial sac with the hernial contents. Irreversible hernias can become strangulated. In these cases, the animal is initially very worried, and later it is depressed and refuses food. Along with this, there is a lack of bowel movements, increased body temperature, and a frequent and weak pulse. The swelling in the umbilical area becomes painful and tense.
With large umbilical hernias, sometimes inflammation of the hernial sac is observed as a result of trauma, and when microbes penetrate into the area of ​​the sac, abscesses form, tissue necrosis occurs, and skin ulcerations appear.
Forecast. For reducible hernias, the prognosis is favorable; for strangulated hernias with intestinal necrosis, the prognosis is from doubtful to unfavorable (especially in foals).
Treatment. For umbilical hernias, various conservative and surgical treatment methods are used. Conservative methods of treatment include: bandages and bandages, rubbing irritating ointments into the hernia area, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections around the circumference of the hernial ring of 95% alcohol, Lugolev solution or 10% sodium chloride solution in order to cause inflammation and closure of the hernial ring again the resulting scar tissue. All these methods are ineffective and are currently almost never used. Surgical treatment methods give good results. The technique of hernia repair (gernectomy) is presented in a laboratory and practical lesson.
Prevention. Comply with zoohygienic and veterinary rules for feeding, keeping and caring for animals. Measures are taken to prevent injuries.

Hello readers of the site, in this article I will talk about such a surgical disease as umbilical hernia in animals. Let's consider what an umbilical hernia is, what is the cause, treatment, and prevention of this disease.

Umbilical hernia in animals(as in humans) this is a protrusion of the peritoneum and prolapse of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity (intestines, omentum, etc.) through the expanded umbilical ring. The disease occurs very often in piglets and puppies, less often in calves and foals.

Umbilical hernia in animals

Reasons. Hernias can be congenital or acquired. The first occurs in cases where an excessively wide umbilical opening remains unclosed after the birth of animals, the second - due to trauma to the abdominal wall (hits by horns, hooves, falls, etc.). Acquired hernias are also possible after abdominal operations with excessive tension in the abdominal muscles, due to increased intra-abdominal pressure (during childbirth, heavy work).

Pathogenesis. Congenital hernias develop due to untimely closure of the umbilical ring in the postnatal period. The umbilical ring soon after birth (in piglets during the first month) becomes overgrown with fibrinous tissue. If this is not the case, the young connective tissue covering the umbilical ring is stretched under the influence of intra-abdominal pressure and gives rise to the formation of a hernia.

The formation of acquired umbilical hernias is based on an imbalance between abdominal pressure and the resistance of the abdominal wall. Tension of the abdominal wall during falls, blows, or heavy work leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which promotes the spreading of the edges of the hernial ring, protrusion of the peritoneum and viscera through the hole.

Umbilical hernia in animals

Clinical signs. Hernias are divided into the hernial opening (through which the internal organs prolapse), the hernial sac (protruding parietal peritoneum) and the hernial contents (omentum, intestinal loops, etc.).

When an umbilical hernia develops, a sharply limited, painless, soft swelling, most often semi-spherical, appears in the navel area.

When auscultating (listening to sounds) of the swelling, peristaltic bowel sounds are heard. If the hernia can be controlled, its contents are reduced into the abdominal cavity, after which it is possible to palpate the edges of the hernial ring and determine its shape and size.

There are hernias that cannot be reduced, do not shrink when pressed, and its contents cannot be reduced into the abdominal cavity - this is prevented by the adhesions of the hernial sac with the hernial contents. Hernias that are not controlled can be grounded. In these cases, the animal first shows severe anxiety, and later becomes depressed and does not accept food. Along with this, the absence of bowel movements, increased body temperature, and a frequent and weak pulse are noted. The swelling in the umbilical area becomes painful and tense.

With large umbilical hernias, sometimes there is inflammation of the hernial sac due to injury, and when microbes enter the area of ​​the sac, tissue necrosis can form, and tissue necrosis can form on the skin.

Umbilical hernia in animals

Forecast. For reducible hernias, the prognosis is favorable, for strangulated hernias with intestinal necrosis - from doubtful to favorable (especially in foals).

Treatment. Until recently, conservative and surgical treatment methods were used for umbilical hernias. Conservative methods include the use of bandages and bandages, rubbing irritating ointments into the hernia area, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections around the hernial ring with 95% alcohol, Lugoliv solution or 10% sodium chloride solution (to cause inflammation and closure of the hernial ring with scar tissue). All these methods are considered ineffective and are not used often. Surgical methods of treatment are the most effective; these are operations in various ways using anesthesia and medications.

Prevention. Follow the zoohygienic and veterinary rules for feeding, keeping and caring for animals. Take measures to prevent injury.

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