I have an 8 week old  small bree d puppy. At vet check a small inguinal hernia was picked up. She will be staying with me until such time as a repair op can be carried out. At what age would you think this would be a safe procedure. I don,t care how long it is as long as she is OK. The prospective family still want to wait for her.

I have a gsd pup with the same problem my vet told me he would prefer not to do it under 6 months old.

My first Cavalier had one, but this is going back 20 years now. My vet back then also said he had to be 6 months old before surgery, but I can't for my life remember why. It wasn't just the size of the pup, it was something to do with the hernia. What I do remember is how important it was to get it repaired as an inguinal hernia can strangulate whereas an umbilical one is usually pretty harmless.
Edited to say: the breeder paid for the surgery once we had informed her.

Thanks for that. My vet said maybe 4-5 months for surgery but I did think that a bit too young given the size of puppy. First time I have ever encountered this.

> She will be staying with me until such time as a repair op can be carried out

> The prospective family still want to wait for her.

If the advice is 6 months - as seems to be the case - couldn't the puppy go to its new home at the usual age?  I have no experience of this situation but certainly if I were having the puppy I'd want to take her home as soon as she reached the right homing age.  I'd also like my vet to perform the procedure (partly due to travel and aftercare) BUT I'd also be willing to use my breeders vet if she thought it best.

From a buyers perspective I'd probably get a quote for the op (from both vets for comparison) and hope the breeder would reduce the purchase price by said amount but I appreciate this might not be a standard response.  I have a very good relationship with my breeder and I know she'd trust me to do the right thing but I have known her for years and have had 2 pups from her in that time.

Perhaps some of our experienced breeders could help you word a contract or agreement to ensure that the puppy gets the required treatment and/or comes back to your vet for the procedure if you think it best

> My vet said maybe 4-5 months for surgery but I did think that a bit too young given the size of puppy

When I first saw this post I had only just discovered an inguinal hernia in an 8 year old bitch.  So not genetic.  However she is very, very tiny so I was worried about a strangulation.  I saw my vet and he confirmed my suspicion and I had her operated on one week ago.  She has to be crated for 3 weeks but had her vet check today and he is happy as long as she remains confined for another 2 weeks.  She has never had a litter, she is far too tiny.

On the day of my first appointment he said I've just seen a litter of 4 Yorkshire Terriers for health checks and vaccination.  3 of the pups were affected.  2 of those pups have 2 inguinal hernias, so definitely genetic.  He said to me that the pups were tiny.

He is operating on all 3 pups tomorrow at 10 weeks of age.  So too young for surgery doesn't come into it.  However I do admit that he is an expert on very small animals.  He does exotics, so much smaller than my Chihuahua bitches that he spays for me.

Hi,

I have a pup I am due to pick up in 3 weeks time who has been diagnosed with an inguinal hernia.

Vets are advising it is operated on at 10 weeks, I am unsure what to do and whether to still continue with getting the puppy and the size of the hernia.

Does anyone have any advise on drawing up a contract to support with the costs / any implications or refunds should the pup not make it through surgery?!

Thank you