Monday, August 11, 2014

Horses and Hernias

Summer is here, and with it comes an increase in grazing.  A horses’ overzealous appetite can lead to colic which is​ an upset stomach that can turn deadly for your horse.  When colic makes its presence known, emergency surgery is sometimes the only fix that can save your horses’ life.  After the surgery, you think the whole threat of the situation has passed, but when it comes to hernias, the trouble may have just begun.
Hernias occur because of a tear in the body wall that allows for the tightly compressed intestines to push themselves out.  Hernias can happen anywhere on a horse no matter what their age.  Mares can experience hernias in the later parts of pregnancy because of the increase stretching of the stomach. Their babies can also develop hernias shortly after birth;​ these are called umbilical hernias.  While the foal is developing in the womb, the umbilical cord brings all the nutrients it needs to grow.​  D​uring the developmental process, the body wall is one of the last parts to close.  ​I​f there is a problem with this process,​ a hernia can occur at birth or within the first few weeks after birth.  Make sure that the hernia and the umbilical cord do not become infected to avoid other problems in the future.

Another type of hernia is a diaphragmatic hernia.  This type of hernia occurs most often following an accident where the chest of the horse was struck.  This can cause a tear in the diaphragm, allowing​
intestines to push their way into the chest cavity which then causes​ colic and difficulty breathing for younger animals.  Horses can also be born with this type of hernia,​ normally occurring behind the sternum which is between the two front legs.​

After surgery, hernias become a problem because the body cavity has been opened and the surrounding skin has been weakened by the incision.  These are called abdominal hernias.  Smaller hernias can correct themselves, but if this does not happen,​ there are two ways to correct a hernia: ​ massaging the intestines back into the body cavity or another surgery.  Massaging the hernia back into the body cavity is the first step, but if the hernia cannot be pushed back,​ then it is time for surgery to become an option. If surgery must be done,​ there are two types to consider: ​ the open and closed surgical methods.  The closed technique is simpler and avoids further possible infections, but this method is not as accurate as the open technique.  The closed technique does not allow for the surgeon to see what the hernia consists of before they begin repairing the tear.  The open technique is precise and allows the veterinarian to see what is occurring inside the hernia, as well other possible problems that could be causing pain to the horse.

Keep an eye out for all types of hernias especially in newborns, older breeding mares, and horses that have just undergone surgery.  If hernias occur, try to massage the sac back into the body daily, ​but ​if this does not correct the problem,​ seek veterinary help.

Written by:  Kelsey Stutts, Richmond County Cooperative Extension Intern

Resources:

Ball , Michael . "Umbilical Hernia." TheHorse.com. The Horse , 1 May 1998. Web. 10 July 2014. <http://www.thehorse.com/articles/10453/umbilical-hernia>.

2 comments:

  1. My mare had to have surgery four years ago now and this was a very stressful time in our lives! The foal and her are doing great now and the surgery scars are barely noticeable. This experience was a great stress on my though and led me to research the topic and write a guest post on the subject for www.horsesmad.com here http://www.horsesmad.com/umbilical-hernia-horses/. I hope it helps anyone with a horse suffering from this condition!

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  2. Hernias in horses, although different from those in humans, require prompt attention to prevent complications. If you are monitoring your own health while caring for animals, an online BP checker can be very useful.

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