Umbilical hernia - Atlas of swine pathology

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Possible causes: Hernias

Umbilical hernias are an anatomical defect due to weakening of the muscles surrounding the umbilical cord stump or the navel area. This causes the umbilical opening not to close properly and the intestines to protrude through the intestinal wall to form the "ball-shaped" structure often seen in piglets. There are several potential reasons why the abdominal wall does not heal properly after birth, including genetic defects, bacterial infections and environmental or management conditions of the neonatal piglet.

Although animals with this condition may reach slaughter age, the risk of contamination of the carcass at the slaughterhouse often results in the animals being penalized or even rejected.