Yorkie with a Hernia

[Hoggbond]

We are planning on buying a yorkie soon. The breeder we are seeing was very honest about her female. She said that the puppy we are thinking about buying had a hernia. It was operated on when she was 3 months old. Something about a pin hole in the intestine. The puppy is now 7 months old. She says she has had it checked by the vet, and okay'd by the vet.

Is this a wise purchase for us? Once a hernia is operated on, is it cured for life??? Can you say a hernia won't ever come back??? We really need some advice, as this is an important decision for us. Thanks for anybodys help.

[Bhikku]

Personally (and this is just my opinion) I would not ever buy a yorkie puppy with knowledge of it having any prior health problems. They can be such a frail breed anyway, and once they become sick they can go downhill so fast; I would just not take any chances on it.

So in my opinion, I don't think it's a wise purchase.

[hugz4all4]

I have a different opioion. The puppy I just got on friday has the same kind of herina that the pup your looking into had. My hasnt had the surgery yet because he is too small. I was very worried about my pup and almost didnt get him because I was petrified that something could go wrong between now and his surgery, after talking with my vet, a good friend of mine that is a vet tech and posting on this board, I decided to get him and I havent regretted it one bit. Im still worried that something may happen to him but we keep a close on him and his hernia and he is doing wonderful!!
From what I understand once the surgery has been done, there arent anymore problems or concerns with the hernia.
The breeder was up front and honest with about it, which is great .
Talk to your vet, take the dog to see him/her, if she is otherwise healthy why not?

[Bhikku]

Yeah, I guess I'm just still nervous about the whole small dog thing, so their various health issues really concern me. The "pin hole in the intestine" comment worried me because abdominal sepsis kills so quickly. If you get this baby, definitely keep a hawk eye on her and race her to the vet's at the first sign of trouble.

Obviously Hugz has personal experience with this situation though, so I would probably go with her opinion over mine. I still venture that a puppy with no diagnosed issues would be a "wiser" purchase, but that's a judgement call for you guys to make. Chances are, a routine surgery like that would not cause problems down the road. I would just take every precaution.

It is very good that the breeder was upfront about the issue. She could have just as easily "forgot to mention it"...I'm sure there are many breeders that would have.

[Stephanie8906]

Meeko has Inguinal hernias. This type of hernia is genetic. I called the breeder and told her she called my vet and asked how much it would cost to get it fixed and paid for the surgery and then reimbursed me the remainder of the money I paid for Meeko. I did not request to have my money back. I did a lot of research on this breeder before I got my puppy she is a very reputable breeder. The vet said that the hernias are so small her vet could of not felt them or just not even checked. She also sent me paperwork from her vet and also a second vet to show me that Meeko's parents checked out and they did not have hernias. The lady has been very pleasant and we talk often about Meeko. I would not give him up for the world he has a great temperment and definately has a big spot in my heart already! But like a responsible parent we will get Meeko fixed as soon as he is old enough because he is not perfect and only perfect yorkies should breed but he is a wonderful puppy!

I would not pay the full amount that she is charging for the other puppys without issues. You might ask her if any of her other puppies have had issues with this and you might call your vet and see if this is genetic.

[Tamara&Tootsie]

My dog had a little hernia and they fixed it when she got fixed and she is doing fine. Nobody is going to have a perfect puppy

[my2yorkies31]

My Peanut was born with a hernia as well .. We had it taken out about 6 mths ago when we had her spayed.. no problems.. simple surgery .. it wont come back ever...The woman who sold her to me knew it was there and I didnt pay full price for her because of that and that was my choice to make.. and I had to have her .. SHe is fine now , and altho the vet said it wasnt painful while she had it , i have to think it was somewhat because she is doing things now she did do before surgery and is more playful and not as cautious.. good luck to you and ur puppy