trouble runs in packs

[kwebb]

I have a real thick, good calf that has too much underline to keep in my registered herd.

The other day I got to looking at her navel and it looked like she had rubbed it or maybe it was a little infected or something. I put her in the chute to check it and it was just some white hair right around the navel--nothing to worry with.

But, in feeling around, I felt an umbilical hernia. Nothing hanging out of it--just a hole where you can feel the guts move away when you press up on it.

The vet says he can fix it for $120...and that it is too large to close on its own. This calf is still too young to sell. I am thinking I will fix it and grow her to 600# and then to the butcher.

My question is that I thought that this condition was hereditary. Why have the other calves of this cow not had it? Or does it come from the bull? Any experience with this out there?

 

[coulee]

I talked to a couple of dairy folks about hernia's a while ago. They told me that most of them close up on their own. I don't have any personal experience, so take my comments with a grain of salt, but I would sure get a second opion from a vet or dairy farmer that has seen a lot of these bofore you cut on her.

 

[Anonymous]

I talked to a couple of dairy folks about hernia's a while ago. They told me that most of them close up on their own. I don't have any personal experience, so take my comments with a grain of salt, but I would sure get a second opion from a vet or dairy farmer that has seen a lot of these bofore you cut on her.

A lot of time on colts they will close on their own.....If they haven't by the time I wean them then I'll let the vet fix them...