Sorry if this sounds a bit ignorant. What is the big danger of breeding a bitch with a hernia? If it's not a hereditary thing and unlikely to be passed on, then is it because of the risk of prolapse when the bitch gets bigger. I've heard so much conflicting evidence on this, and vets don't seem to be concerned about it.
Please note - I'm NOT intending to breed from such a bitch, but just interested in the pros and cons.
Lorna

If you click on help and search on Hernia, you should find a thread where this was discussed some months ago, with varuous views and links to artcles posted.

Lorna, think that 99.9% of vets think that it is hereditary and a few breeders think it is not, so it would be best never to breed a dog that has one, just in case. The problem of breeding, apart from passing it on, is that it is a weakness in the muscle wall and it could be compromised by the pregnancy & welping. Ja:)kie

Hi, I assume we are talking umbilical and not inguinal? Ifs its teeny,no bigger than a marble, its probably just a little fat that got caught when the hole closed up, which is not strictly speaking a hernia in my book. If its approaching the size of the ball in your mouse (!) than i would be concerned about breeding, just MO. :-)

Hi Lorna

You would probably know more about this than me but I was told there was a risk to the bitch as the pressure of the womb can press on the bowel by the hernia obstructing it further.

Don't know how true this is

Christine

Depends on the mouse ball Westie lover, mine ios smaller than a marble. Have you got one of theose where you roll the ball around in the mouse, they are big things! :D

Sorry bout the levity!

oops, sorry yes mine is about the size of a ferrero rochet!! More levity - not less!

What!
You have Golden Balls too WL? I thought it was only Beckham that had them :P

having a hernia can be somtimes be inherited it depends,on the type of hernia, you should ask your vet,hernias can be a bigproblem if passed onto to puppies,have yourvet check your dog first...good luck

Don't aks me where I read this but I did read SOMEWHERE :-) that Hair lips and certain Hernias are cause by the same thing.

Pam..

MY pennies worth, :-)