Umbilical hernia repair in a heifer in the northern region of Mato Grosso

Case report

Abstract

A hernia is the abnormal protrusion of tissue or an organ, such as the intestine, through the wall of the cavity in which it normally resides. This study describes the surgical treatment of a crossbred Holstein heifer affected by an umbilical hernia, with the aim of detailing the diagnosis, herniorrhaphy technique, and postoperative management. The case involved a 45-day-old calf weighing 27 kg that presented with an enlarged umbilical region associated with a previous myiasis infection. After clinical diagnosis and complementary tests, surgical correction of the hernia was performed using the open herniorrhaphy technique. The procedure included the repositioning of abdominal organs and closure of the hernial ring using appropriate suture techniques. In the postoperative period, the animal developed a seroma, treated with compresses and anti- inflammatory drugs, as well as stomatitis, treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Laboratory analysis ruled out foot-and-mouth disease, and after two weeks of treatment, the animal showed complete recovery. In the discussion, the case report is compared with scientific studies addressing the same topic, though with different approaches and contexts. Research in the field indicates that open herniorrhaphy is effective, especially in female cattle, although complications such as seroma and infections may occur. The physical examination, complementary tests, diagnosis, anesthesia, and surgical procedures followed protocols established in the large animal veterinary medicine literature. In conclusion, the herniorrhaphy procedure proved effective in treating the condition, resulting in the animal’s full recovery following the management of minor complications.