Attn: vets, assts, anyone! Xiphoid Process
 

My aunt's dog seems to have a bone or something sticking out right in the middle by her ribs which seems to me to be her xiphoid process. My mom and dad told me about it a few weeks ago, and I said that if she didn't seem in pain, maybe she was sitting the wrong way and her floating ribs were sticking out or something. So, my aunt took her to the vet and told her about it, but the vet didn't see or feel anything. So the vet said that I was correct and they were probably her floating ribs and she was sitting funny. Nobody has felt this "bone" since.

WELL...yesterday I was over my mom's and she told me that this "bone" was sticking out again. I yelled out a holy sh*t. It was popping out!!! I laid her on her tummy and BAM. I couldn't believe it. To me it seemed to be her xiphoid process sticking out. I touched it and it gave a little, but she wasn't in pain or anything. I told my aunt to take Zoie back and get an x-ray b/c this is not in the least bit normal. Of course she was all upset and said-but it disappears. She was right. Zoie jumped off the couch and I felt her again, and it wasn't popping out.

I know that bones can't be swollen, but what the heck do you think is wrong? Is it fractured or something? If anyone has a clue, I'd love to know.

Thank you, and sorry for the long read!

Ps. For the non-medical (so you don't have to search Google :p)-On the bottom of your rib cage (humans and dogs) you have "floating" ribs. They don't really float, they are just not connected to your sternum (middle of rib cage). The xiphoid process is the bottom part of the sternum that comes to a point. If you've ever taken CPR about 10+ years ago they used to tell you to avoid the xiphoid process when you do compressions.

Sorry I cant help, but good luck hope the baby is ok.

Your right it could be a floating rib. Is their another dog/puppy that their could have been any trauma in playing hard.
It needs to be X-rayed just to make sure.

I've felt that on a couple of mine when they were younger. It seems to get less prominent as they age. :aimeeyork :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :)

My 6 1/2 yr old has had what you talking about forever...In all of her check ups throughout her years never has a vet said anything...And truthfully, it wasn't anything that bothered her and I never thought to ask the vet ! I usually feel and look for anything unusual, (always looking their ears, mouth, cleaning their eyes, etc.) but I thought this was how it was supposed to be....I hope it isn't anything bad...!?

No, I don't think so. :confused:

Thanks, but did you actually see it stuck out if they were on their belly? It was about 1/4-1/2 inch sticking out. :(

Hi Nic - Sissy has the same thing. There is definitely a little bone that sticks out when she is in certain positions. I'm not sure if it the xiphoid process and it seems to be toward the left side rather than in the middle. It is very strange looking!!!!!!!!!

See, the floating ribs are more towards each side of the body. When I mentioned ribs to my mom I hadn't actually seen it. But when I saw it, it was def. smack dab in the middle where the xiphoid process is. I'm thinking that or an umbilical or diaphragmatic hernia. :(

I think Ellie might have that.
It is in the center.
The vet says it is her umbilicus and asked if Ellie ever had a hernia I think.
Hers is nothing to worry about but I will look at it closer tomorrow.
It is close to the top of where her spay incision was.
It is about 1/3-1/2 the size of a marble and sticks out maybe 1/4-1/2.
Sound the same?

Yes, that sounds about right. It looks so painful. :( I'm going to tell my aunt today. Thanks for your reply.

I was looking at Ellie's and it has gotten smaller (or maybe pushed in more) since her spay. It doesn't bother her at all. Anyway, it is her umbilicus but whenever there is a bump there I think I would have it checked for a hernia. If a GOOD vet cleared it, I'd be fine with that, otherwise I'd get a second opinion.

cartilage protruding from dog's upper stomach
 

Hi, i have a sixteen year old yorkie that has the problem you are discussing. i first noticed it a few years ago and ran her to the vet. the bone/cartilage popped back into place by the time i got there and so i just looked like a nut. about two or three weeks ago the problem started up again. it looks to me like the cartilage that is attached to the bottom of the breastbone flips backwards and protrudes from her chest. it actually looks like it sticks out about half an inch. it really causes me a lot of duress because it looks so wrong but the dog doesnt seem to suffer any sort of pain from it.
i called my vet and she had never heard of this problem before. have any of you been able to find out what this condition is or what is causing it? i am concerned that it may be harmful.
thank you,
Kat