Hi Everyone,

I am a long time reader but have never posted before.

I have a litter of large gundog breed pups. They were vetchecked at just over 7 weeks old (5 days ago), all clear for hernias, hearts murmurs etc. Last night when I was picking up a puppy I noticed he has an umbilical hernia, small but obvious. It is easily pushed back in.

My question is, has anyone had pups develop hernias after 7-8 weeks old having previously been hernia free, and is this 'type' of hernia likely to grow as he does rather than repair itself?

I have had pups with small hernias in the past but they have been present from early on and I always check regularly for them, so I am stumped as to why both myself and my vet didn't find it, perhaps it wasn't there then. Can pups belly buttons re-open if they over exert themselves in some way, or are perhaps on the chubby side or their insides grown too quickly causing pressure in the abdomen?

Just to add, this pup will be going to a pet home, endorsed and owners made aware of hernia, etc.

I am concerned that the puppies that have just left me may also develop this, and I have sent them with a letter from my vet stating they are hernia free.

Any experiences or advice is hugely appreciated!

Don't worry....google 'delayed closure'. I have had this several times in pups,often just popping out the day before they are due to be collected. They have never needed an op,usually don't get any bigger so by the time the dog is an adult they are barely noticeable...bit like an 'outie' tummy button.

I have noticed no hereditary pattern either. Had it from bitches who don't have one them selves, and a bitch who did have one had a litter of 9 with not a single pup with one.

Interestingly I have avoided it in recent litters by always ensuring their bums are supported when being picked up. The gravity seems to be what makes the opening open and the little fat bubble pops out.

Really don't worry

Thanks for your advice Bucksmum, I think you are right. I have looked up delayed closure and this seems to fit with the pup- no hard edge to the opening, so fingers crossed he is the only one to develop this.

I feel better knowing you have had a similar experience and your pups were fine.

Thankyou!

I have Yorkshire Terriers and I had never seen a hernia in many years of breeding, although nobody seems to believe me, saying it's common in the breed.  However, I found one in a pup just a few days before he was due to leave home.  Many folk told me that they would do nothing about it.  However, I wasn't prepared to let a pup go to people who knew nothing about hernias (he was going to a pet home.)

I contacted the folk who were having the pup.  Explained the situation, and asked if they still wanted him.  They did, so I delayed pups leaving until he had the hernia fixed (at my expense) and he stayed until the area was healed.  I had no worries that there would be any comeback on me and he went to a lovely family home.  All my pups leave with endorsements anyway.

As it happens he was the only pup in the litter that bled heavily because mum chewed the umbilical cord far too close.  It came as no surprise really,, and at lease I knew that it wasn't hereditary.

Welcome to the forum Coreopsis

Thanks JeanSW. I had a chat with my vet and they have advised to leave it as it is so small, she struggled to detect it at first until pup had a wiggle and a bit of the fat/fluid only just bulged out to be felt before disappearing back in again.

Thanks for the welcome, and for the helpful advice. Much appreciated

I had a line, which came to an end because I had just 4 boys. Puppies from that line I had several hernia's only one of which was large enough to require vet attention.
Never had a problem with a buyer or the puppy in a pet home. I am going back many years now but read it was now seen as hereditary rather than caused by the bitch but did not believe that.
I am touching wood but I then bought in a bitch creating the foundation for my new line. Several generations along I have not had a hernia since thankfully so....????
When I did have the odd hernia some were very small and there is no doubt that if you massaged it in as the puppy grew there was no evidence when it left for its new home.
As a dog groomer I see dogs of all breeds and many with a hernia ( particularly certain breeds ) and it seems to not affect them at all. Ideally do not breed from a bitch with a hernia of course.