How do they fix a large hernia?
The surgeon makes a cut (incision) to open your skin. They’ll gently push the hernia back into place, tie it off, or remove it. Then they’ll close the weak area of the muscle — where the hernia pushed through — with stitches. For larger hernias, your surgeon may add a piece of flexible mesh for extra support.
Can a horse get a hernia after colic surgery?
Incisional hernia formation This is relatively uncommon following colic surgery but can occur in horses that have had a severe incisional infection (see above) and for other reasons e.g. where the horse is not kept rested for long enough following surgery.
Why does my horse have an abdominal hernia?
An abdominal hernia can develop for a variety of reasons; the most common occurrence follows abdominal or colic surgery due to loss of integrity along the incision line. A horse that has undergone abdominal surgery, especially colic surgery, often has other complicating health factors that slow healing or potentiate infection.
What should I do if my horse has colic?
In many horses, signs of colic that occur following surgery are one-off, short-lived episodes and can be treated with analgesics (painkillers). We become more concerned where repeated episodes of colic occur which become more severe in nature and in some cases, repeat surgery (or euthanasia) may be needed.
What kind of surgery does a horse need for a hernia?
During inguinal hernia surgery for horses, the abdominal wall needs to be repaired, and the intestine needs to be replaced. For scrotal hernias, castration is usually required, especially when the intestine is putting excessive pressure on one of the testicles, causing a lack of blood supply to the area.
Incisional hernia formation This is relatively uncommon following colic surgery but can occur in horses that have had a severe incisional infection (see above) and for other reasons e.g. where the horse is not kept rested for long enough following surgery.
An abdominal hernia can develop for a variety of reasons; the most common occurrence follows abdominal or colic surgery due to loss of integrity along the incision line. A horse that has undergone abdominal surgery, especially colic surgery, often has other complicating health factors that slow healing or potentiate infection.
In many horses, signs of colic that occur following surgery are one-off, short-lived episodes and can be treated with analgesics (painkillers). We become more concerned where repeated episodes of colic occur which become more severe in nature and in some cases, repeat surgery (or euthanasia) may be needed.
How long does it take for a hernia on a horse to heal?
Baxter stresses the importance of reducing tension on the incision by limiting exercise until the linea alba (a fibrous band running the length of the abdominal midline) has obtained adequate strength. This can take three to four months after surgery to heal enough that the horse can safely return to rigorous training.
