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Management of umbilical disorders in the foal
Author(s) -
Smith Meredith
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inpract.28.5.280
Subject(s) - medicine , foal , umbilical hernia , umbilical vein , septic arthritis , surgery , umbilical cord , umbilicus (mollusc) , hernia , arthritis , anatomy , biochemistry , chemistry , archaeology , in vitro , history
UMBILICAL disorders in the foal arise in the immediate postpartum period as a direct consequence of either bacterial infection or incomplete contracture of the musculature of the body wall. The three most common disorders are umbilical hernia, persistent or acquired patent urachus, and umbilical abscessation. This article aims to assist the veterinarian in making a prompt diagnosis of these conditions and discusses how they may be managed. Simple umbilical hernias are readily corrected with an excellent outcome. Surgery to remove umbilical remnants is technically more difficult but, if uncomplicated, generally carries a good prognosis. Complications such as concurrent septic arthritis or advanced infection within the umbilical vein extending to the liver parenchyma carry a poor prognosis.