This concerns the small horse who is now 1 year old and has had an umbilical hernia since birth.
At first, the 'split' in the belly was about two finger tips wide. Consulted vet who advised a wait and see approach, sometimes these things close up on their own.
I believe this is what's happening, the width of the belly split is no longer two fingertips wide, has gotten smaller.
However, there is a little 'pocket' of skin hanging below the split and it feels like there is stuff in it. I cannot determine if this is a loop of intestine or not. I poke and shove and do not get a pain reaction. Vet has advised to keep tucking any protruding bits back into the belly split. Which I keep doing. But as the split gets smaller, the contents of the 'pouch' feel denser. I am now worried that the hernia will heal up with some important bit of the horse still hanging out!
What should a hernia feel like? Is there liquid in the bump? Is it intestine? Do I really have to have the vet ding me $150 to say, 'ignore it, everything is fine?' OR do I call the vet who will say, 'good grief you horse's entire kidney is in this little pouch!'
If anyone has hernia experience or wisdom to share, I am all ears.
At first, the 'split' in the belly was about two finger tips wide. Consulted vet who advised a wait and see approach, sometimes these things close up on their own.
I believe this is what's happening, the width of the belly split is no longer two fingertips wide, has gotten smaller.
However, there is a little 'pocket' of skin hanging below the split and it feels like there is stuff in it. I cannot determine if this is a loop of intestine or not. I poke and shove and do not get a pain reaction. Vet has advised to keep tucking any protruding bits back into the belly split. Which I keep doing. But as the split gets smaller, the contents of the 'pouch' feel denser. I am now worried that the hernia will heal up with some important bit of the horse still hanging out!
What should a hernia feel like? Is there liquid in the bump? Is it intestine? Do I really have to have the vet ding me $150 to say, 'ignore it, everything is fine?' OR do I call the vet who will say, 'good grief you horse's entire kidney is in this little pouch!'
If anyone has hernia experience or wisdom to share, I am all ears.
