Not sure what's the problem with heifer

[CollieFlowerWV]

We are looking at a Jersey heifer just about two years old. Not bred and it appears to have a hernia?? Not sure even what one looks like. Any idea if I should take a chance to purchase this heifer? If anyone knows what this is I would appreciate anything you can tell me.




Thanks,
CollieFlowerWV

[tinknal]

I know this sounds like a dumb question, but are you sure it is a heifer?

[Oakshire_Farm]

Yeah it looks like a boy to me?? Can you get a picture under the tail?

[DWH Farm]

Sure doesn't look like a heifer to me..

[wr]

Yep, that's not a hernia.

[CollieFlowerWV]

Yes, I did check her out and she is a she

[CollieFlowerWV]

She is about two hours from us and I just got an email back from my vet and he is perplexed as well. He said to have her palpated to make sure the ovaries and uterus at least feel healthy. Seeing she is far away, I think I'll pass on this one. I would have to arrange to have a vet come to his place. Sounds like a lot of hassle to me. Too bad, she seemed really nice, too.

[cowkeeper]

I think it's a birth defect called patent urachus.ck

[CollieFlowerWV]

Do you know anything about this? Does this mean that the cow should not be bred or put down?

[Ronney]

Originally Posted by cowkeeper

I think it's a birth defect called patent urachus.ck

Clever you. Never heard of it but researching it, I think you are probably right.

CF, google it, quite interesting although I didn't study it in any depth. No, it doesn't mean she can't breed or has to be put down, in fact it can be repaired but this of course would cost more money. I'm always a punter and would probably let the current owner know the problem, try to renegoitate the price downwards (considerably), have it repaired if possible or eat her if not.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[randiliana]

Could also be a hermaphrodite. I've seen those before too. I think I'd pass on this one....

[CollieFlowerWV]

This is what my vet said: It may be a hernia but normally there is not that type of hair on a hernia. It could be from "naval ill" or an infection of the umbilicus." Then I told him that someone from this group thought it might be: a patent urachus.
This is what he replied:
A patent urachus is when the fetal tract from the bladder to the placenta don't close and urine continues to drip from the navel. If the area is wet that is probably it. If the area is dry but swollen it is probably the end result of an earlier infection of the umbilicus/navel or even a small hernia. If it is a patent urachus, I would stay far away. It has the potential for chronic infections.
So along with the vet and with randiliana and others I will not purchase this cow. As sweet as she is, I have gone through the death of my "Sweet Pea" drowning this past fall so I don't think I want to go through a heifer with a possible problem down the road.
Thanks for all who responded. I also emailed the man and told him what the vet said-I thought it was only fair.