One of my 7 week old puppies has started to show an umbilical  hernia. He was the last pup born and a bit of a suprise  and the only puppy that mum cut the cord so she was probably  too rough or close.  I have  researched  and can see it might heal or might need an op later in life. My question is that as the owner/breeder,  where do I stand if he needs an op later. Am I  responsible  as the pup is sold with  health concern? I will obvioulsy  record  it on the sale of contract.  He's  going to a pet home rather than a worker  but just need to know my responsibility.  Thanks all

As he's a male, unless it is huge & possibly life threatening I wouldn't be concerned. One of my dogs years ago had one & it never affected him. The breeder did point it out before I bought him & if he had needed an operation I wouldn't have expected them to pay for it.

If the puppy had been a bitch & possibly destined to be a brood bitch I wouldn't sell her to be bred from, but I still wouldn't expect the breeder to pay for it.

I bought one of my pups with an umbilical hernia.  The breeder let me know before I picked up the pup and gave me a discount (didn't ask for one) as pup had a "fault".  I think that way it was sort of "sold as seen" on that particular issue and I would never have gone to back to her if it had to be operated on.  A vet can fix the hernia if the dog ever has to subsequently have an op, neutering for example.  Mine had to have an op so the vet fixed the hernia but didn't need to.

Thanks, I was debating a bit of money  off for them. Feel a bit more reassured thanks

I've only ever had an umbilical hernia once in all my years breeding.  It didn't show until 7 weeks old, and the pup had already been reserved.  As so many lines of this particular breed are born with hernias I wanted to have my vet operate.  The pup was going to a pet home, but I didn't want any come backs.  I delayed the pups' collection by a week and had my vet operate, paying for the operation myself.  (Naturally I told the new owners' the reason for delaying collection, and they still wanted him.)

If the breeder had asked me whether I would have wanted the pup operated on I would have said no every time.  Not a good start for an 8 week old if not necessary.

Can I ask what age you had the repair done? I have a four week old pup with a hernia ( not just a small delayed closure) and I am trying to find out if it’s best to have it repaired before he is placed into his new home or if he has to be a minimum age.
Thankyou.

Pup was 8 weeks old when they operated.  I've never had any regrets.  I kept him long enough for my own vet to check him over afterwards.  It healed so quickly.

Thankyou very much for your reply. Did you have to isolate him after the op? we are keeping a pup ourselves and due to lockdown I may have others for while.

I kept him in the living room for 3 days (others in the kitchen.)  All went very well.

Thankyou for the reassuring reply. Do you know if they do this repair before eight weeks? He is a large Gundog breed ( andrex

I wouldn't be happy about an anaesthetic on any breed before 8 weeks.

Bucksmum: Puppy Hernia;  I'm not a Vet nor a Medical expert but I have experience of raising many Puppies and have found that some develop a visible hernia around 5 to 7 weeks.  I have informed the prospective new owner and suggested it should be given a few months to heal only if it stays soft and easily pushed back in. If soft appearance continues then it is non threatening.  If it changes colour, shape, size & density then it needs attention just like a human with a mole.  Re anaesthetic on any Puppy before 12 months old - I would avoid at all costs unless life threartening. Perhaps a written agreement to cover any costs related to the hernia might be a way forward?

Hello,

I am due to pick up a puppy I’m 3 weeks.

He has just been vet checked and has an inguinal hernia.

We are really worried about getting the puppy and also, if we proceed, how to ensure we are covered financially if the puppy doesn’t make it through the operation?

Vets want to operate at 10 weeks to avoid shrinkage.

Thank you for your help!

If the vet feels it needs surgery that young then you leave it with the breeder and collect once sucessfully recovered from the op

Inguinal hernias are unusual and generally need repair sooner rather than later. This should really be something that the breeder has done (at their expense) and you collect the puppy after its recovery.

Agree, this is up to breeder to get done.

Brainless:  Excuse my ignorance as I am on the learning curve but what is the difference between an Inguinal and an Umbilical hernia?
Thank you in advance.

An inguinal hernia is in the groin and an umbilical hernia around the navel

Thanks Furriefriends:

So an Inguianal hernia is obviously serious and requires early intervention compared to an umbilical hernia which could self heal?

I would think so but really out of my knowledge.  Humans are affected similarly

Thanks furriefriends:
I'll look it up on NHS human hernia site for clarification.

>So an Inguianal hernia is obviously serious and requires early intervention compared to an umbilical hernia which could self heal?

The chances of an umbilical hernia (at the belly-button) 'self-healing' is very remote. At best they stay soft and reducible, and can be repaired whenever any other surgery is needed in the future. Inguinal hernias (in the groin) are much more serious (and very unusual in young puppies). I've seen very few via my work, and in one the bladder was beginning to be extruded through the damaged muscle wall.