Herniation

There are four common forms of herniation normally seen in the pig

1. Umbilical hernia

A congenital defect with a possible genetic basis. Umbilical herniation occurs as a major problem. Normally clearly recognised when the pig is over 30 kg. The hernia can reach a gigantic size. The animal only has an economic future if the diameter stays below 30 cm and none of the skin is ulcerated. Once the hernia makes contact with the ground, euthanasia in advised. Umbilical hernia requires a casualty certificate. There is no economically viable treatment.

	The umbilical hernia in the left top is too large to sell and is ulcerated. The hernia above is too large and euthanasia is to be advised. The hernia on the lower left is currently a small umbilical hernia.

2. Trauma hernia

Typically occur due to sow biting the piglet resulting in a hernia through the abdominal wall. The hernia is only of consequence if intestinal strangulation occurs. If the conformation is so badly disfigured that it may result in problems in the slaughterhouse, immediate euthanasia is advised.

3. Inguinal hernia

These normally occur in the male, which has a very large inguinal canal. They can be very large. Rarely strangulation of a portion of the intestines can occur through the hernia. Assuming the animal is not castrated, these animals will grow without problems to a slaughter weight. If castration has to be performed ensure that the pig does not have a scrotal hernia and then carry out a closed castration. It is possible to “repair” the umbilical hernia is piglets less than 3 weeks of age by tape. The right picture is from a post-mortem of the pig with an entrapped small intestine – arrowed. Scrotal hernias appear more common in Vietnamese Pot Belly pigs

4. Perineal hernia

In sows the whole of the perineal region can present in collapse. The rectum and vagina may prolapse into the hernia. The hernia can be very large. There is no economic treatment. If the sow is close to farrowing keeping until farrowing may be an option, however, manual removal of piglets are likely to be required. Provide the sow with a bran diet or add liquid paraffin from time to time to help with the passage of faeces until slaughter