Effects of and factors associated with umbilical hernias in a swine herd

Factors associated with umbilical hernias were evaluated in a 320-sow, farrow-to-finish herd. Health, production, and treatment records for a cohort of 2958 pigs were used to determine whether umbilical infection and sire of the pig increased the risk of herniation. Although herniation was infrequent (1.5%), there was evidence of increased risk in offspring of 2 boars (1 American Spotted and 1 Duroc) and in pigs that had clinical or gross pathological evidence of umbilical lesions. For pigs in this study, umbilical herniation was not fatal, despite lack of treatment, and affected pigs had no evidence of reduced growth rate after weaning up to about 45 kg. Results supported existing genetic and infectious hypotheses about causes of umbilical hernias and provided additional data to aid decision making about alternative treatment and control strategies.