OMPHALOCELE IN 2 CALVES

Two calves were found to have omphaloceles at the time of observed una ssisted parturition. Both calves were admitted to the veterinary hospi tal within hours of birth. One calf, with the amnion covering of the h erniated intestine and liver intact, was successfully treated by herni orrhaphy. The second calf had ruptured the amnion covering the hernia by the time of admission. This calf was euthanatized during laparotomy because of severe gross contamination of the abdominal cavity. An omp halocele is a congenital defect in the body wall in which eviscerated abdominal organs are covered by amnion rather than skin.