Enlarged umbilical cord on 8hr old buckling

[ykcharrier]

The buckling born at 11:30am today now has an enlarged/leaking umbilical cord. The cord was dipped in iodine when he was born. What to do?

[ykcharrier]

Here's a picture.

[myheaven]

That's a hernia and needs surgery ASAP. Put a steril gauze wetted with steril water and call the vet!

[myheaven]

If you have no desire to fix him. Get a .22 and put him down.

[Cyngbaeld]

I don't think it is a hernia. He probably has urine leaking. It is called a urachal fistula. If he were human, it would need to be repaired, but as long as the navel doesn't get infected, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I wouldn't keep him for a breeder though.

[ykcharrier]

Update: The buckling was not rushed into emergency surgery and subjected to the pain and/or infection of surgery. He was not treated with a .22.

The umbilical cord was treated aggressively to dry it and encourage the contents to go back into the abdomen. He was monitored during the night and given cayenne and honey for their antibacterial properties.

By morning the umbilical cord had dried.

He is taking a bottle well, gaining weight, and playing with the other bottle babies.

[TeenyTinyFarm]

Sometimes doing what YOU know is right is the best thing to do. That and a little TLC and time. Glad he is better.

[punchiepal]

I am glad he is better. This can often show itself anytime, so it is something that will always have to be watched. However, this is considered an inheritable condition and he really should not be used as a sire. Please, consider wethering him.

[southerngurl]

I saw another kid like this this year and they just tied it off. It was kind of a blowing out of the umbilical tissue itself, nothing serious. Glad it's ok.