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06-20-2016, 07:22 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Boston
Posts: 5
| Umbilical Hernia/Fatty Tissue Nutmeg is 6.5 years old. When she about 1 or 1.5 (I forget exactly how old, but she was young) I noticed a small lump on her stomach. The lump never appeared to be of any bother or problem for Nutmeg. At the time the lump was discovered Nutmeg's Vet did a fine needle aspirate on the lump, and it was not cancerous. The lump wasn't soft nor super hard, but firm. The Vet mentioned that it could be an umbilical hernia or fatty tissue, and sometimes the best option is surgery. I planned on Nutmeg having surgery, but the next day when surgery was scheduled the lump totally disappeared, which was super strange to me. Then about maybe 6 months later the lump re-appeared and has been there ever since. The lump has grown in size, but so has Nutmeg as well. For the past 6.5 years the lump has never caused any problems whatsoever as far I can tell.... However over the past month - month and half, I've been a bit concerned. A few weeks ago Nutmeg was bit backed up (constipated) - she was never straining but I knew she was backed up, and the lump felt harder and somewhat a bit larger, but Nutmeg's entire abdomen was hard to the touch. Eventually with some extra walks everything was quickly resolved. About a week ago I got Nutmeg some GI track support capsules, which she has taken twice and some new pre-mixed food to mix in with her homemade meals - wanted to get her something with some more veggies and grains. I've been transitioning her slowly, and she has only has had 1 or 2 half capsules, and the new pre-mixed food three times, and I have not noticed any problems. However, since Sunday all of a sudden Nutmeg has not been herself. She's been just laying around and going under the bed a-lot -she does this when something is bothering her and when she is not feeling well, so I know she's not feeling like herself, as I know her very well. Nutmeg wouldn't eat this morning, but had dinner and she did have a regular sized hard BM in the evening, however her abdomen is still harder than usual, and so is the lump. Nutmeg's nose is wet and she doesn't seem dehydrated, and she's drinking. I'm wondering what the signs of a potential strangulated hernia would be or if maybe I'm over-reacting and just need to take Nutmeg for some longer walks. She didn't go under the bed tonight and seemed to be slightly more herself, but still not typical nutty Nutmeg... These two recent incidences though have me a bit concerned, so I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with anything similar or any thoughts? Thanks. Last edited by Nutmaggie; 06-20-2016 at 07:27 PM. |
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06-21-2016, 12:56 AM | #2 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,544
| I can't say for certain as I can't see her AND I am not a Vet but it sounds like a hernia that may be worse from her straining to poop. It also sounds like she may have a belly ache from the diet change. I would get her to the vet ASAP as it could be life threatening. Hernias should always be monitored closely & any changes in them should ALWAYS be checked out by a vet & the sooner the better. |
06-21-2016, 05:25 AM | #3 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa.
Posts: 67,950
| If it were me, my pup would have been at the vet yesterday, but that is just me. I think you would be better off taking her to the vet ASAP were she would be examined and you will get a professional answer. We cannot see your baby, and all we can do is make guesses. Off to vet you must go. Please keep us posted
__________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog |
06-21-2016, 06:05 AM | #4 |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| I agree with the posts above: Nutmeg needs to see the vet immediately. Hernias can cause emergency situations. The diet change probably contributed to her tummy problems -- dogs' digestive systems are very different than a human's. Too much fiber and grains can cause problems. About the hernia disappearing for awhile when she was a pup, my dad has a small abdominal hernia from appendix removal surgery. His hernia pops in and out.
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy |
06-21-2016, 07:36 AM | #5 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Boston
Posts: 5
| Well as stated above her hernia has not changed, and she is not straining to poop and has had a BM last night. Nutmeg is back to her normal self today jumping up and down on the couch and running around and barking/stalking the mailman. Hopefully she just had a little cold or belly ache or something not serious. She does have an appointment with her Vet later today still. My Vet said I want to make sure that she doesn't have a fever (she doesn't), she isn't vomiting (she's not), that she can move her bowels (she can), that she can urinate (she can), that there's no blood in her urine (there's not), that her bell isn't swelled up (it's not), and that the fatty tissue or hernia is not painful to touch (it's not - Nutmeg let's me touch it - wiggle it just fine). Her abdomen does feel a little softer today too. I'm wondering if surgery at her age is a good idea, but sounds like to me it may be a better option than having a potential strangulated hernia down the road. |
06-21-2016, 08:03 PM | #6 |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| Happy to hear she is doing well today. 6.5 years is still young and not a cause for concern for surgery in general. My friend's adult Yorkie recently underwent emergency surgery for an umbilical hernia and everything went smoothly. With any surgery, always do the pre-op blood tests and discuss anesthesia protocol with your vet. There is a "sticky" thread at the top of the health section if you have concerns. As I mentioned above, be careful with adding too much fiber to your girl's diet. Check that the GI supplement you are giving isn't more fiber. Too much fiber can cause various problems. While stools may be softer, fiber increases volume and can cause painful bloat.
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy |
06-23-2016, 06:44 AM | #7 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Canada
Posts: 23
| I currently went through this with my 4 year old. It literally just popped up one day. We met with 2 different vets, 1 suggested for us to leave it, and the other said she would need the surgery to have it fixed. I was unsure about putting her through the surgery - but after talking to some wonderful people from here on YT, I decided it was better to go through with it as I didn't want to keep worrying and wondering "what if". Good luck in your decision <3 |
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