I was browsing the other day and found several past postings aboout umbelical hernias.The subject seems to arouse controversy.Anyway on saturday I took a Cavalier pup for vac and check up and mentioned the presence of one he looked said it wasn't very serious and advised me to press it in a couple of times a day explaining that the hole from which the fatty lump came out of had not yet closed up,so a good chance of getting it to go back on its own. If not a minor operation but not before 6 months old. Hope this helps someone

I agree with you there. I have an 8 week old pup with the same thing and am not too bothered. My vet said the same as yours. Every time I play with the pup or hold it in my arms I just pop the lump back in. I have seen hernias before & they very rarely cause a problem. Also my vet said in all her years of practise she had never seen a strangulated hernia. Just to reassure people that you don't automatically have to fear the worst if you hear the words 'umbilical hernia'!!

My son had one too but no-one told me to push it back in! He's 13 and still has it. Just looks like he's pregnant with it sticking out like that.::)

Well you obviously did'nt go to the right vet!!

I knew I went wrong somewhere!

I have spoken to 4 different vets now to get opinions on umbilical hernias and they have all said no problems unless its one you can push in (with an older dog). They have never seen any dog have problems with one, even if bred.
Lorna

I think the problem arises if you CAN'T 'push it in'. This means that the gap has tightened trapping the contents outside the body. If this is just fat then no problem, but if you have a bit of intestines outside look out!!
This applies to pups & young dogs. Presumably in an older dog the gap should have tightened anyway & hopefully along the way you will have remembered to push 'little lumpy' in every day.

Hiya,

I have a 16 wk old pup who has an umbilical hernia.
The vet has said it's just fat and is not a problem, can be sorted out with a minor operation.

However, he has told me, under no circumstances to breed from her, because it's hereditary and will DEFINITELY be passed on to all pups.

I've done some research on hernias, some books/websites say the same as my vet, others say not to worry.

What do you think?

Thanks

Lisa

Hi Lisa,
There is quite some debate as to whether hernias are hereditary or as a result of the mum pulling the cord too roughly during birth. Either one has not really been proven. I can't see why you can't breed from a bitch with a hernia, as long as it doesn't have anything trapped inside it. However I think you should breed cautiously & if hernias are being passed on through generations from this bitch then remove her from your breeding programme.
Personally I never take just one opinion on anything as you usually find the opposite opinion elsewhere. I tend to rely on my own experience, and the experiences of others.
A hernia is such a minor problem when considering all the other health issues in a dog.
Would the lady who wrote above not have any more children because her son had a hernia?!!!

Dogs in Canada had some things about hernias: I'll write the bit out of the book about:

Umbilical and abdominal hernias: Abdominal hernias generally occur secondary to trauma, but may be the result of a congenital defect. External abdominal hernias r defects in the external wall of the abdomen that allow the protrusion of abdominal contents. Internal abdominal hernias r those that occur through a ring of tissue confined within the abdomen or thorax. Hiatal hernias and diaphragmatic hernias r examples of internal abdominal hernias. The most common sites for traumatic abdominal hernias r the pre-pubic region and flank.Umbilical hernias are usually congenital and r lined by the peritoneal sac (abdominal lining). Umbilical hernias r thought to be inherited. Many male dogs that have umbilical hernias r also cryptorchid. The Airdale Terrier, Basenji and Pekingese r thought to have heritable umbilical hernias.

Most hernias r diagnosed on physical examination. Umbilical hernias usually present as a soft, ventral abdominal mass at the navel. Other causes of abdominal swellings r abscesses, cellutitis, hematomas, seromas and tumours and must be differentiated from a hernia. Suturing torn muscle edges or attaching the disrupted abdominal wall edge to a rib, the pubis or adjacent connective tissue will repair most hernias.

Many umbilical hernias resolve on their own in young animals, or stay small and aren't corrected until the animal is neutered. Spontaneous closure may occur as late as 6 months of age. Abdominal hernias secondary to bite wounds or vehicular trauma r usually contaminated and require lengthier surgery to repair. Drains and antibiotics r also generally needed.

Doing some reading from this book there are alot of hernias, never knew there was that many different kinds. Inguinal hernias, Diaphragmatic hernias, scrotal and femoral hernias, Perineal hernias, Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernias, Incisional hernias.

Sorry so long :)

ttfn :)

Hi Miss Tiggywig,

Thanks for that, after reading your post and all the others in this thread, I won't worry too much.

Like you said, I'll be very cautious if I do decide to breed from her.

I'll probably be asking your advice again when she's older!!!

Take care, thanks again

Lisa