Operating on a calf with a hernia.

[Friesianfan]

I have a calf nearly 5 months old with a large hernia. The vet says he can operate but it may not be successful or the operation may kill her. I was wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and am asking for some advice on what I should do. Tia

 

[alan6430]

Would you believe we’ve got 1 like this aswell. Appeared yesterday and the vet said the same and actually advised to ring the kennels

 

[Friesianfan]

Would you believe we’ve got 1 like this aswell. Appeared yesterday and the vet said the same and actually advised to ring the kennels

Bugger

 

[newholland]

We had operation done at similar age and the heifer lived for many years and calved no problem.....so I would say get it done, but maybe ask vets for a deal and allow one of their junior vets to do the job as practice.

 

[upnortheast]

Had one here a few years ago - twice
1st time burst out after a few days, 2nd time vet spoke to a friend who works in the hospital, Aquired some mesh which he stiched in. job sorted

 

[WillM]

Done a few over the years. Never an issue.

 

[milkloss]

Personally I’d send it for rose veal or whatever.too much risk you’ll end up with a carcass to pay to get rid of and a sizeable vets bill.

First loss and all that.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

I had one in a similar aged calf and my vet advised just leaving it but not to breed from her because it's quite a heritable trait. I left it and it was completely gone by the time she was 2. She calved for the forth time last week. I had forgotten all about it until now.

 

[Water Wheel]

Had one done with Mesh, did several lactation.

 

[sidjon]

We had one done several years ago and she died during the operation, vet did understand why it had just died as op looked like it went without any problems.

 

[Farmer Fin]

The op shouldn’t kill her as it’s straight forward. The issue is her size now. The weight of her rumen and guts increases the risk of the sutures failing. Mesh can be used but thats not full proof either. Best time to operate is about 2 months as they cope well with starving before the op and slowly increasing food afterwards. Heritable condition so shouldn’t breed from them.

 

[westwards]

Our vet did one at 3 months , stiched in mesh she is doing fine, calved and back in calf no problem.

 

[I thats it]

I've a friend that had a bull that threw lots of them he'd have well into double figures, they operated on them all around 3 month and it was very successful, think they lost 1. They were told it's very hereditary, needless to say the bull didn't stop long

 

[Friesianfan]

Well we operated this afternoon. I’ll let you. Know how she gets on. Thanks for the responses

 

[ollie989898]

My wife is something of an expert on these. Gotta be done at the right age. Don't think she has had one fail ever before. Certainly would not be shooting the beast automatically.

 

[Friesianfan]

Three days on and still ok.

 

[TheRanger]

Three days on and still ok.

What was the long term success like? Got one to operate on here.

 

[Friesianfan]

What was the long term success like? Got one to operate on here.

Still going strong!

 

[Walwyn]

What is the sire @Friesianfan? Not had 1 for a few years but had 2 this year.

 

[som farmer]

Still going strong!

as you are pedigree, have you bred pure, or beef.
we had 1 2years ago,vet said op would be £130, put her into mkt, made about 1/2 value, first loss !