Hello everyone, we are expecting to collect our new puppy of our breeder in around 4 weeks time (Rhodesian Ridgeback).
We have just been informed that 2 of the dogs have a hernia, the problem is we really like one of them. we are told that it isnt a problem and it can be fixed at about 12 weeks at her (breeders) cost, the dogs are all perfect apart from this.
Should we avoid these dogs or is it nothing to worry about.

Thank you.

It wouldn't worry me, what would worry me is something being done at just 12 weeks of age. One of my pups went last year with a small umbilical hernia ... my vet said categorically he wouldn't recommend doing anything until over 7 months as young pups and anaesthetic don't go well.

If it is a bitch and you plan to have her speyed then the hernia can be fixed during that operation.

A very interesting article about umbilical hernias here: http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/umbilical.html

I have Ridgies - as you may have guessed from my username :)

It's a bit difficult to answer your question without knowing the size of the hernia. A tiny one probably wouldn't be a worry - but a large one would be. I'm assuming that you have no intention to show your puppy as you wouldn't be allowed to after having a hernia op. And obviously it won't be suitable for breeding either.

I would say that 4 weeks is rather early to have been allowed to chose a puppy. The character won't be obvious at that age and physically the pup will change enormously in the next few weeks.

I would also hope that the parents of the litter are both at least hip scored, and preferably elbow scored too - and that at least 2 knowledgeable people have checked them for dermoid sinus.

If you wish to pm me, feel free. I've had Ridgies for a loooong time :)

Also if they are tiny late closures they may well have closed over by 8 weeks of age, and never need anything doing.

Also the KC now DO allow dogs whose hernias have been repaired to be shown, probably as there is still controversy over if it is always inherited.

> Also the KC now DO allow dogs whose hernias have been repaired to be shown, probably as there is still controversy over if it is always inherited

I had a Yorkie pup with a hernia.  The little boy had been chosen at 6 weeks, and the hernia didn't show until almost 8 weeks.  The dam had been very rigorous with the cord, and chewed it so close that I thought that I would never stop it bleeding.  This hernia was quite obviously not an inherited one.  My vet did explain to me that it could heal by itself, or the owners could get it fixed at a later date.  I was not happy to leave the decision to the prospective new owner.

I let them know about the hernia and gave them the chance to change their minds.  They had been to meet him several times, and still wanted him.  So I told them that he would have to stay a little longer than 8 weeks, and I would pay for the op.  There was no problem at all with the anaesthesia.  My mind was at rest knowing that it had been sorted.  We all do what is right for us.  :-)

If the breeder of your Ridgie is willing to pay for the operation, I would have no problem with that at all.

We bred a puppy bitch who had a hernia which was "small" but needed looking to. THe vets said to wait until she was spayed (at 7 months) as it would then only need one anaesthesia. She could have lived with it all her life but as she was going to be spayed by her owners, they repaired it anyway.
As to whether it is hereditary - in our case it definitely was as the Sire has a hernia (which I wasn't aware of!) and there were 2 puppies born with a hernia (this bitch and a male puppy whose hernia was barely noticeable but there nonetheless!). In our bitch next litter to another male (who didn't have a hernia) she produced puppies who didnot have hernias. A lot of vets will say hernias are hereditary and from my experience, I'm more inclined to think they are.

> A lot of vets will say hernias are hereditary and from my experience, I'm more inclined to think they are.

As you say - in your particular case this was so.

In my girls case it was most definitely not.