## Overview An abdominal wall hernia is a defect in the body wall that allows abdominal contents to protrude under the skin. It appears as a soft swelling that may enlarge with straining. Post-foaling mares are at higher risk from prepubic tendon or muscle rupture. Most are not painful unless the contents become strangulated. ## Causes Trauma, foaling injury, or surgical incision failure. ## Diagnosis Palpation of a reducible swelling and ultrasound confirming the body-wall defect and contents. ## Treatment Small, stable hernias may be monitored. Larger or enlarging hernias, and any with signs of strangulation, require surgical repair. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for uncomplicated repairs. Strangulated hernias are emergencies with a more guarded outlook. ## Prevention Careful management of post-foaling mares and proper surgical technique.
soft swelling on the ventral abdomen; may enlarge with straining; usually not painful unless strangulated; higher risk in post-foaling mares
## Overview An abdominal wall hernia is a defect in the body wall that allows abdominal contents to protrude under the skin. It appears as a soft swelling that may enlarge with straining. Post-foaling mares are at higher risk from prepubic tendon or muscle rupture. Most are not painful unless the contents become strangulated. ## Causes Trauma, foaling injury, or surgical incision failure. ## Diagnosis Palpation of a reducible swelling and ultrasound confirming the body-wall defect and contents. ## Treatment Small, stable hernias may be monitored. Larger or enlarging hernias, and any with signs of strangulation, require surgical repair. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for uncomplicated repairs. Strangulated hernias are emergencies with a more guarded outlook. ## Prevention Careful management of post-foaling mares and proper surgical technique.
soft swelling on the ventral abdomen; may enlarge with straining; usually not painful unless strangulated; higher risk in post-foaling mares