Treatment includes the administration of systemic, broad spectrum antibiotics such as ___________________, and supportive care including IV fluids, NSAIDs or plasma transfusion. Prognosis is good for horses that are treated immediately. Horses that develop laminitis have a poorer prognosis. Overall mortality rate for PHF is 30%. A vaccination is commercially available and should be administered in endemic areas.
Hernia
Hernia is described as the ________________________ of a tissue or a part of an organ through the muscle or membrane that normally encloses it within the abdominal cavity. Most hernias are caused by a congenital delay or failure of the umbilical or inguinal foramens to close at birth. Trauma could also be a cause especially in stallions. Failure of either of these foramina to close allows the weight of the gut to gradually weaken the tissue surrounding the foramen forcing the foramen to open wider. If the foramen becomes large enough a piece of the intestine may slip through the hole in the abdominal wall, which lessens the pressure on the foramen. The lessened pressure allows the foramen to contract, entrapping a section of the gut. In some cases, the blood supply to the entrapped section is cut off and the area of entrapment experiences ischemic necrosis. If the blood supply remains intact the section of gut is viable but may become permanently stuck within the foramen as ________________ forms between the intestine, the foramen and structures outside of the abdominal wall. ____________________ are predisposed and there has been a genetic predisposition recognized as well. These hernias appear at birth or shortly after foaling. Foals are at risk for umbilical hernias if the umbilical cord is manual broken or there is an infection of the cord. _________________ are also at risk for inguinal & scrotal hernias following strenuous breeding or physical exertion. A hernia is seen clinically as the swelling of the umbilical region, within the inguinal canal or of the scrotum. If there is ischemic necrosis or adhesion formation, colic signs may also be evident due to the strangulation of the segment. Diagnosis of abdominal hernia can be made through the clinical presentation as well as palpation of the hernia site. Many hernias in foals will spontaneously resolve on their own. Treatment for mild hernia is the manual reduction of the hernia daily. This involves the pushing of the hernia contents through the foramen back into the abdominal cavity. The use of a ________________________ may aid manual reduction by giving support to the abdominal wall. Moderate or severe as well as scrotal hernias will require surgical correction. Prevention for umbilical hernias is treating the umbilical cord with an iodine solution immediately after birth to prevent infection.
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