This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
Vet on Call: Causes and Treatment for Hernia in Cattle ¶
As a veterinarian, I have encountered numerous cases of hernias in cattle, and I must say it's a common issue that affects many farmers. In this article, I will share with you the causes and treatment options for hernia in cattle.
Recently, I received a call from a subsistence dairy farmer named Kamau, who was concerned about his cow's health. He had noticed a swelling on the right side of the lower abdomen, which had been growing in size over the past few weeks. Kamau had initially thought it was a normal change in the body, but as the swelling continued to grow, he became worried.
After examining the cow, I diagnosed the swelling as a hernia, which is a break in the body wall where internal organs protrude through the hole and rest under the skin. The hernia was caused by a blunt injury to the body wall, likely inflicted by the other cow in the same pen.
As the hernia grew, it caused damage to the body wall muscles, making it difficult for them to hold the internal pressure of the body organs. This led to the formation of a large swelling, which was causing discomfort to the cow.
Unfortunately, the hernia was too big to be repaired, and I recommended that Kamau dispose of the animal for meat. However, I also advised him to dehorn all his animals, as horns are weapons of defense and offense, and can cause injuries to other animals and humans.
Hernias are common swellings on the bodies of cattle and other livestock, and they occur under the skin in areas where there is a body cavity formed by layers of soft tissue. The most common types of hernias in cattle are abdominal, umbilical, scrotal, and inguinal hernias.
Abdominal hernias are seen on the body wall, mainly in the lower abdomen or the sides, and are often caused by blunt injury to the body wall or infections that form deep pus-filled cavities called abscesses. Umbilical hernias are swellings on the area surrounding the umbilical stump and are normally seen in calves and young stock. They are often caused by genetic abnormalities.
Scrotal and inguinal hernias are mainly seen in pigs, where intestinal loops get lodged in the scrotum or inguinal canal. These hernias are often caused by genetic abnormalities and can be prevented by selecting animals for breeding that do not have a history of hernias.
It's essential for animal health service providers to identify the swelling and intervene accordingly. In some cases, hernias may get inflamed and become hard and impossible to push back into the abdomen. Other swellings on the bodies of animals include abscesses, injured or inflamed tissues, and tumors.
As a veterinarian, it's crucial to educate farmers on the causes and treatment options for hernia in cattle. By doing so, we can prevent the spread of this common issue and promote the health and well-being of our livestock.
