ЖЫЛҚЫЛАРДАҒЫ КІНДІК ЖАРЫҒЫН ЕМДЕУДІҢ КЛИНИКАЛЫҚ НӘТИЖЕЛЕРІ

In the present study, the effectiveness of surgical treatment of umbilical hernia in horses was evaluated based on clinical, surgical, and hematological findings. The study was conducted in peasant (farm) enterprises of the West Kazakhstan Region from 2025 to June 2026. The study included four horses of different breeds, sexes, and ages (1-3 years) diagnosed with umbilical hernia. The diagnosis was established based on clinical examination and palpation of the umbilical ring. The size of the hernial protrusion ranged from 4 × 3 to 8 × 6 cm, while the diameter of the hernial ring ranged from 2,5 to 5,0 cm. All animals underwent surgical treatment under general anesthesia, including isolation and opening of the hernial sac, examination of its contents, reduction of the abdominal organs into the abdominal cavity, herniorrhaphy using absorbable suture material, and layered closure of the surgical wound. Postoperative management included broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, daily wound care, and restriction of physical activity. The results showed that two horses had reducible umbilical hernias, one had a partially reducible hernia, and one had a non-reducible hernia. The duration of surgery ranged from 35 to 65 minutes and increased with the size of the hernial defect. Complete clinical recovery without recurrence was achieved in all animals. Surgical wound healing occurred within 9-16 days. Hematological evaluation demonstrated positive postoperative changes: leukocyte counts decreased from 8,4-10,2 × 10⁹/L to 7,3-8,0 × 10⁹/L, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) decreased from 17-25 to 11-15 mm/h, while erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit remained within physiological ranges. These findings indicate a reduction in the inflammatory response and a favorable postoperative recovery. In conclusion, the herniorrhaphy technique used in this study proved to be an effective method for the surgical treatment of umbilical hernia in horses, resulting in complete clinical recovery, the absence of postoperative complications and hernia recurrence. The findings support the use of this surgical approach in routine equine veterinary practice.