I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with their puppy having an umbilical hernia. I purchased a puppy from a breeder and was advised that the pup had an umbilical hernia but I was also reassured that this would disappear by 4 months, it was common and nothing to worry about. It  would not cause the pup any problems Breeder stated they had a lot of experience and this hernia would not be an issue. I signed a contract stating the puppy had been checked at a vet prior to purchase and no issues were identified. I have since taken the pup to a vet to have her checked over etc and the vet stated that hernias can disappear but after examination  this hernia will likely need an operation. I then contacted the vet the breeder stated  she took the pup to and that vet has confirmed that NO examination took place despite asking the breeder and  the pups were only mircro chipped tso she was unable to comment on this particular hernia. I have spoken to the breeder who has stated that vets like to line their pockets and I should seek advice from Champ dogs, which would give an unbiased opinion. Can anybody help with this matter, I don’t want my pup to suffer later in life but I am getting conflicting information.
Also given the Breeder claimed the hernia was nothing to worry about and she got the pup checked at a vet (which she did not) where does that leave me, who should pay for the operation of the pup requires it?  I thought using a breeder would have made things straightforward. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The breeder should’ve mentioned the hernia in the contract imo. For example one pup of mine got checked over by our vet and they identified he only had one testicle dropped, of course when the check was done he was only 7 1/2 weeks so of course it was too early to say if it would be a future problem with the second one dropping or not. So in the contract I included it. Personally if it were me who had got your pup then I would’ve taken the pup to my vet within a couple days of buying the pup to check what their opinion was (something that should’ve been in the contract really) and had I not been happy would’ve queried it with the breeder then. I would go to a second vet and see what their opinion is and take it from there.

It sounds to me like this breeder is dodgey and untrustworthy…why state they had a vet check and claim the vet stated the hernia was nothing to worry about. Fact is hernias are always something to be concerned about, whether or not they need to be treated. Unfortunately I think it sounds as though your breeder won’t want to help you.

Thank you very much for your reply. This is my first pup so any advice is greatly appreciated.

I have only had the pup for 11 days and I took her to the vet on day 4 (first available appointment due to vet being closed over weekend). I had her  checked over, nails clipped and first vaccination and this is when vet provided advice regarding an operation.

The contract stated I could return the pup within 5 days if any issues. I did message the breeder right away but she didn’t get back to me and I only managed to get hold of her 2 days ago by calling, she stated she did have the vet check the pup and I should contact champ dogs for independent advice, does this sound like reasonable and good advice. I told her the vet said the pups were not checked over and she said she assumed they were. I personally think a breeder would know if their pups were examined! I don’t want to return the pup as she is lovely and settled in well and apart from the hernia and being a little underweight the vet was happy with her.

What can I reasonably expect from the breeder. She verbally told me it was nothing to worry about, didn’t put it in the contract and the contract also stated the pup had been checked over which I now know wasn’t the case. I will get a second opinion but if the opinion is the same is the breeder legally obliged to do anything etc. I am so new to all of this. The main thing for me is the pup is ok, I just feel really let down by the breeder as I used a breeder to avoid problems

> I signed a contract stating the puppy had been checked at a vet prior to purchase and no issues were identified.

This is strange to me. If the vet had checked it as the breeder said and they knew about the issue then the contract should not state that no issues were identified as this is not true. Either the breeder has lied about it being vet checked or lied in the contract about what was found.

Yes an umbilical hernia can resolve its self. Many vets unless it's server will wait until the dog is neutered to fix it if it's still there. So it is entity possible it could revolve.
I've also heard of one vet saying it should resolve waite and see to a breeder and then another vet with the new owner saying no it needed doing. Although I can't imagine a vet would say a hernia would definitely resolve its self rather than only stating it might do or that it would likely resolve its self.

Do you live near the breeders? If you do I'd take it for a second option to the vet the breeder claimed did the vet check. If not I would get a second option either way

> I will get a second opinion but if the opinion is the same is the breeder legally obliged to do anything etc.

You would likely be within your rights to return the puppy for a full refund.
You could try requesting the breeder pays for the op if the hernia doesn't not resolve by 4 months old and sign a new contract stating this but i don't think you could force this if they refuse and offer a return instead. Citizen advice offer free leagle advice.

If I was the breeder I would have told you about the hernia, had it in the contract that if it had not resolved by a certain age that I would refund the cost of the repair.

regarding hernia repair.  I would ask the vet if it is suitable for being left until puppy has grown up as you have a bitch pup you will likely want her spayed as a young adult and it would be less trauma if it were done at same time as spay-and less expensive

A lot of umbilical hernias will fuse by 6 months of age; this doesn't mean they disappear but they will no longer be able to be pushed back in, they stay in place, and most dogs can live a healthy life with such a hernia without it needing to be repaired. Unless it is unusually large, I would certainly wait and see if it's worth putting the dog through surgery or not.

It's also important to know that hernias are often genetic.

I'd agree with most of what has been written here BUT, with the greatest respect, I really don't understand why anybody would suggest taking advice from strangers (here) rather than from A VET!  We can only offer experience.

Yes, if it's not severe, I think I'd wait until your bitch is spayed (bearing in mind umbilicals can be hereditary) rather than have her operated on twice.  Again, take the advice of your vet!!

I doubt you will be getting any financial, or other, advice from these breeders, especially if you have already caught them in a lie (re their vet not flagging up this issue).

Thank you all for your advice, my vet has basically given the same general advice re hernias but on examining this hernia she said In her experience it will likely need to be operated on as she can feel it is very “open” and she is worried the bowel may drop into it which would be awful for the pup. The pup is only 2 months old and any operation won’t be for a good few months at least and she will definitely be re examining it but she really does not think, anything will change. She did recommend if I am having the pup spayed then it can be done at the same time.  The vet seems really genuine and the other vet I spoke to (the vet who only micro chipped the pup) has given similar advice the hernias although she can’t actually comment on this particular hernia due to not carrying out an examination. 

After speaking with the breeder (eventually) about the hernia she has given the advice of asking on here (which I have done. I don’t think I am going to get much help from hen breeder given how things have went so far. As long as the pup is ok tha all that matters and sort form the hernia which can be sorted the pup is great.

Thank you all for taking the time to offer advice it is greatly appreciated.

> the other vet I spoke to (the vet who only micro chipped the pup)

I think you were lucky (?) the breeder's vet actually spoke to you - from one experience in the past, my own vet spoke to the new owner's vet as he'd not speak to me with information directly.

If the hernia is very open you need to be careful to check it daily and make sure that you can gently push it back in. If at any time it gets hard and discoloured and painful to touch it needs surgery immediately; I've known this happen to a 6 week old pup and the surgery was very simple and the pup was ready to rehome at 8 weeks. Ideally it can wait until the pup is older and can be spayed but with a very open one that might not be possible.

The breeder sounds very dodgy, sadly, having lied to you about the pup having been checked by her vet prior to sale. ideally she should be paying for the hernia repair because it won't be covered by insurance.

Umbilical hernias aren't something I worry about.  Whilst a pup, keep pushing the hernia back in, which will prevent strangulation of the intestines.  However, the hernia will either close up itself, or a hernia repair can be done at the same time as neutering.  It is highly unlikely to cause your pup any issues.  Hernia repair is not a big operation and the last time I had it done it added approx £50 to the cost of a spay. 
The breeder should have stated re the hernia in the contract, but if you knew about the hernia prior to signing the contract, it might have been prudent at that point to ask for it to be added in.  I'm extremely surprised that the breeder's vet spoke to you - I know there's no way my vet would.  I'm just wondering whether it might be worth double checking this.
Your puppy will not suffer.  If you are planning on having your puppy neutered when old enough, as I said, the cost of hernia repair at the same time really isn't very much.

Thank you again for all the replies, it has helped greatly.

If I can clarify one thing regarding the breeders vet, it stated in the contract that the pup had been examined by the vet  and permission was given by the breeder for the vet to discuss that with then new owner. I was aware the pup was going for its micro chip on that particular day and all the vet could confirm was that no examination had occurred. I emailed a copy of the contract to the vet prior to having the discussion. It is possible the vet contacted the breeder prior to speaking to me to confirm, the vet was very professional at all times.