Among the many congenital abnormalities, umbilical or inguinal hernias are the most common. They are considered development defects and have a very low heritability.
Among the many congenital abnormalities, umbilical or inguinal hernias are the most common. They are considered development defects and have a very low heritability. Sometimes umbilical hernias can be associated with a particular boar. These breeders should be eliminated.
- Mass protruding from navel and abdomen, below and in front of the testicles or in the groin (inguinal hernia).
Causes / Contributing Factors
Environmental factors may increase the incidence of umbilical hernias therefore if there is a problem (in more than 2% of pigs) the following factors should be considered:
- If piglets are stretched during birth, when removed from the sow, tightening too much the umbilical cord.
- If hemorrhages are produced from the umbilical cord and umbilical clamps are used to prevent hemorrhage, we must ensure that they are not placed close to the skin because otherwise they will damage and weaken the tissues.
- Check if hernias coincide with a change of pen.
- Buildings where pigs go to the defecation area through a small opening, sudden and severe abdominal pressures can lead to hernias.
- In cold weather, pigs are piled increasing abdominal pressure.
- If the hernia is large and the pig is on concrete floors or on slats, they should be moved to a bedded pen so that the skin over the hernia will not ulcerate.
- Examine the navel at birth and two days later to see if there are any abnormalities.
- Visual evidence. Reduction of content when the hernia is pushed into the abdomen.
- The inguinal hernias, in uncastrated animals are not an important issue unless they are large. On farms where castration is a regular routine, the may have to perform a minor surgery.
- Investigate the possibility of it being hereditary.
- Peritonitis is sometimes produced and may require culling the pig.
- Use iodine to clean umbilical cords of newborn piglets.