I need to know how a small hernia would affect a bitch in whelping puppies?
She did have a small hernia as a puppy and it had seemed to have gone away, now all of a sudden she is popping out a bit. I had her in the vet about 5 times since birth for innoculations and she was actually artifically inseminated, none of the vets said a thing about it. What do you think? any help is greatly appreciated, she is a sweetie and I'm very worried, don't want any problems for her. Thanks!

Too late now, if she is pregnant, shame you didnt ask before she became pregnant - IMO its an absolute no-no to breed from a bitch with an umbilical hernia. Lets hope she doesn't "pop". I would consider changing your vet, she should have been thoroughly examined for any health problems that might prevent her whelping safely, and as you knew about it, you should have reminded them about it. Sorry to be so harsh - I rarely am, but this is so irresponsible. I will understand Admin if you snip me, but I am furious.

Ditto, WL. Mode of inheritance for umbilical hernias is either polygenic or recessive, according to the materials I've been researching for my data base. I realize that we have to decide which disorders we can live with and which we cannot in our scheme of breeding. But I disagree with breeding a bitch that still has an umbilical hernia since the uterus expanding is going to put additional pressure in the area.

I believe the KC Code of Ethics - that all owners of registered dogs automatically agree to - includes something like the following

"Not breed from a bitch in anyway deleterious to the bitch or the breed"

Unfortunatly breeding a bitch with a hernia is potentially deleterious to the bitch because of the risk to her and deleterious to the breed because of producing further dogs with hernias.

Christine

The interesting thing for me is this shows just how much opinion differs.

Friends of mine (honest;))breed GSD's they recently had a small litter of only three one bitch and two dogs, they were really wanting a bitch to develop their line on. One day while she was still quite young, about 8 weeks, they noticed a small lump. Vet diagnosed a hernia. They were so upset as they thought that it meant she would be no good for show or breeding. My opinion was that they shouldn't breed from her. They went back to the vet and he said - yeah go ahead - no problem!!!!! They've decided to keep her and try for a litter when she's old enough. They live in a smallish house and so do not have a kennel and only have a very small number of dogs, 3 GSD's so this is really a critical decision for them. I don't think they should use her for breeding for all the reasons already mentioned - but it's their choice. For me it just shows how difficult veterinary advice can be at times - after all it's still just one persons opinion.

Pam n the boys

I had always understood that an umbilical hernia was as likely to be caused by physical damage to the cord at whelping as it was to be hereditary. Either way, if it were so large as to present a potential problem at whelping, I should have thought that it should have been stitched when the bitch was a puppy. Obviously not to be bred from in this instance.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

thank you for your opinions. This bitch does not have a hernia through genetics, its from whelping. Two different vets checked her over and said not a thing about it. I would not have had her bred had I known the danger. Although I'm fairly new to breding, no book I've read on breading talked of this problem, and none of my breeder friends. So, hopefully all will be well with my girl and after, I will have the problem operated on. The AKC does not emit those with hernia operations. She is not a detriment to her breed either.Thanks for your help.

I quote - from one of the most respected books on breeding co-written by an author who everyone in the dog world admires and respects and a veterinary surgeon says:

"Umbilical hernias are NOT caused by the bitch pulling on the cord, but are due to incomplete closure of the umbilical ring, and are probably hereditary"

This was the source of my "knowledge " on this matter, as luckily I have not ever experienced it in any of my puppies. I would havethought that after many years of breeding that if it were due to the bitch pulling on the cord, I would have surely had one or two. I hope that for her ske that the bitch whelps safely, but please consider endorsing the puppies registration - Not for breeding - and explain to the purchasers that you will not lift the endorsement. At least this way, the problem will not be perpetuauted by you.

can you explain what you mean by her hernia isnt genetic its through whelping,,im a bit confused, having a hernia doesn't make her a detriment to her breed, i think its the fact that you've mated her when she has a hernia that has upset everyone, not so much even that it was a case of shed had one and you'd had it corrected and bred from her, although not ideal at least you wouldnt of been worrying about what would happen with the extra weight of the pups in her womb,its an old wives tale that the mother can cause a hernia when chewing through the cord, as she would only be pulling on the outer lair, a hernia hasnt closed on the inner wall either,

The information that I gave was from Dr. Padgett's book on Canine Genetic Disorders. I, too, was surprised to see it listed as polygenic or recessive (depending upon the breed). I'm always astounded by some veternarian advice until I remember that they have so many elective courses (just like doctors) that while they may have been exposed to some information on a particular speciality area they may not have elected to take the full-blown genetic courses. Not surprising since I would bet that 90% of a vet's business has absolutely nothing to do with him making genetic diagnosis or recommendations.

I highly recommend his book to anyone who is fascinated with genetics. Right now I'm composing a data base using information from him as well as four other sources. Really mindboggling when I look at it mapped out.

I have just ordered it on Amazon, so looking forward to a Studious read and reference guidse!

Bet Amazon are wondering why this book has become so popular, hope they don't run out. JH

I think one needs to distinguish between true hernias (ones where there is still an abdominal opening with the contents coming in and out) and a late closure (where a little fat gets trapped for good when the umbilical ring closes late in a yound puppy). My oldest bitch had a late closure, the vets opinion, it was confirmed when she was spayed that there was no abdomial opening. This bit of fat was the size of the top of my finger ina medium sized breed weighing 20kg, she had no problems with two pregnancies.

I've checked out my girls hernia, and it seems to be like Brainless has explained. She has fat trapped on the outside. I have a breeder mentor coming over today who is also a vet tech & she will also check it out for me. I really hesitate to believe that in the Sheltie that these are inherited, and I also think that sometimes,(a lot of times in my instance)that vet theorys are just that--- theories. I have researched the breed completely and found no info on the subject,to make sure, I went back and checked again. After my friend checks my dog out I will feel somewhat better. She has been breeding for many years and I trust her judgment, I'll let you know. Thanks again.

Unfortunately, umbilical hernias are one of the disorders that were noted to effect Shetland Sheepdogs (Padgett, pg 232) and is stated to have a mode of inheritance of either polygenic or recessive in nature. Who am I to argue with someone who travels the world giving seminars to other doctors on genetics?

I thought that I was really well-versed on disorders effecting German Shorthaired Pointers also until I started doing research and found many that the breeders just don't want to own up to as being in the breed. And, yes, GSPs are also on the list for polygenic or recessive umbilical hernias.

This is what I was trying to say, and found a site that said it better, hope this works as I am cutting and pasting.

Umbilical Hernias

Admin note: Text snipped. Please refer to the Forum terms of service regarding the posting of copyrighted material

OOOh B! Aren't you getting good at this techie stuff now!

Brainless, thanks so so much!
I was really worried, but now I know that she does not have a true hernia, what a relief. I'm glad you found that site. It was very helpful.Being fairly new at breeding it still is sometimes trial and error. I do the best I can with staying informed and try to keep learning. So thanks for all your help!

Have to agree with all I would NEVER breed from a dog with a hernia even if it was the lat of my line. I'd try to regain my line by other routes if I had to.

if you wouldnt breed from any of your dogs that had a hernia but would bring in your lines from elswhere, if its hereditary wouldnt it have the same genetic possibilitys of producing another hernia anyhow?

That's a very good point Dizzy, especially if hernias are "supposedly" polygenetic, or recessive. It was my understanding that hernias can happen when the puppy has lots of stress on the cord, not chewing through it. Anyway, I cannot push the tissue back through, because it seems that the opening closed off, and fatty tissue was left over , just like Brainless mentioned. I'm going to check out the above mentioned book, and also I'm going to contact one of my old professors whom I took an animal science class from. He is pretty knowlegable in genetics. He also travels the world over for various humanitarian organizations and animal causes. I'm interested to pick his brain on the subject.

I don't know if Dr. Padgett still holds a seat on the Michigan State University faculty, but you might be able to give him a call there and pick his brains. He's a pretty interesting man to talk with. I believe that he sent out health questionnaires to all the dog breed speciality clubs and asked for their information also. I found several of the results on the web when I did a search. Plus he's someone that I knew from my many trips to MSU veternarian clinic. I'd be delighted if his research was erroneous, it would mean one more thing that I didn't need to question the stud or bitch owners about.

And, yes, Dizzy, you would need to also ask the stud dog owner about the history of umbilical hernias if it is, as was stated, polygenic or recessive for your particular breed of dog.