Possible foal herina advice

[rosebud]

Went down to yard today to do usual routine of bringing mum and foalie in to give him a check over and a bit of handling, we noticed that his umbilical cord was all swollen (quite swollen). We got in quite a panic and rang the vets up. They seemed to think it wasn’t an emergency and could wait until tomorrow morning. If this is a hernia what is the treatment? Also what else could it be?
He seems to be himself, his all alert, running around the field and still feeding from mum, although he wont let us touch it.
(also posted in veterinary as weren't to sure where to post it)

 

[nikkiportia]

It could be a bit of an infected stump - in which case some antibiotics and a good clean will sort it out.
If it is a hernia, don't panic

The vet will band it, and the end will die and fall off. Simple. (Hopefully!)

 

[Damien]

ditto on the infected stump, sometimes they can swell and create the appearance of a hernia so its worth while having the vet out and would consider it of urgence as the last thing you want to be dealing with is a foal with joint ill.

If it is a hernia then its best to wait to see how it develops until around weaning. Some colts are often gelded and treated for umbilical hernia at the same time but it will usually have to be significant for the vets to want to intervene at all..

 

[rosebud]

Thank you for your replies, have had the vet out this morning and he said he has a slight infection nothing to worry about.He has given him some antibiotics and we are to wash it with salt once a day .