Inguinal Hernias

[bkessler]

Anyone ever have a baby who had inguinal hernias? I just took Mocha to the vet this morning and was diagnosised with Bi-lateral Inguinal Hernias and she must have surgery.. i am so worried for my baby.. Hope you all had a nice Easter

Brooke

[aimee]

here's a little bit of information that I found. I'm so sorry to hear this - cuddles from us to you guys!

Definition: An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of an organ or parts of an organ, fat or tissue through the inguinal ring, i.e. the region in the groin where the abdominal musculature meets the back legs. It can be unilateral or bilateral. It is more frequent in females than in males. West Highland White Terriers have an above-average risk for this condition as do Basset Hounds, Cairn Terriers and Pekingese.

Causes: Inguinal hernias may be genetic and present at birth (congenital) or they may be acquired and are often associated with trauma. The mode of inheritance has not been determined specifically but it is thought that many genes are involved in their transmission. In unspayed, middle-aged bitches, it may be caused by stretching of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy or atrophy of the abdominal wall due to old age. Scrotal hernias are a specific type of inguinal hernia in males.

Symptoms: Inguinal hernias appear as skin-covered bulges in the groin area. There may be no symptoms, especially when the hernia is reducible, i.e. can be pushed back into the abdomen. When the bulge cannot be pushed back in the abdomen, the hernia is said to be incarcerated. When the blood supply is impaired as when an incarcerated hernia becomes strangulated, the clinical signs change drastically. The area becomes swollen and painful. Without treatment, tissue dies, the affected area turns into an abscess and there is severe pain, fever, lethargy and the animal refuses to eat or drink.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis is made by physical exam, palpation and sometimes by Xrays of the abdomen.

Treatment: In some cases, no treatment is required. Some hernias found in puppies can also wait for repair until they are spayed or neutered. When surgery is needed, each of the herniated structures is put back in its correct place and the abnormal opening is sutured shut.

Prognosis: Inguinal hernias are usually present before 12 weeks of age. Many will shrink and disappear as the puppy grows, but they have to be watched carefully to make sure no tissue is trapped in the hernial sac. Recovery after surgery is excellent in the presence of a reducible or incarcerated hernia. If the hernia becomes strangulated, liver, intestinal and/or kidney failures may follow and without treatment, the animal will usually die within 24 to 48 hours. When surgery is done in such an emergency, the results depends on the general condition of the animal when it is brought for surgery and on the importance of tissu dammage.

Prevention: Since this disorder is mostly inherited, dogs that have had hernia or a surgical repair of hernia should not be used for breeding. In addition, adults who produce puppies with this condition should be removed from breeding programs.

http://www.canadawestieclub.ca/health/inghern.html


Please keep us updated on her!

[bkessler]

Thank you so much for this information.. it helped out alot.. i think i am going to let her bredders vet do it for free.. I am going to wait a couple of more weeks though cause Mocha is still too small.. only about 3 lbs.. once again thanks for the supoort
Brooke

[krystenah]

I bought Chloe about a month ago and the breeders told us that her vet said that she had an inguinal hernia, but that it would eventually go away on its own.. and thats what our vet said too.

[yorkieslovers]

I am very glad to hear your good experience. I was just wondering how much was the reduced price or the bill/
I will tell why.... I've sold a puppy saing that she has a inguinal hernia in the contract, that the buyer is aware of this and the cost is 500$ total for the puppy. Now she called me saying that she has an appt with a specialist that the appt cost 500$, and the operation costs from 800 to 1200 $ ????
I told her my vet charges around 350$ and only 150$ extra at spaying time, but she was saying that my vet it is not a specialist(that she won't do such a good job and if not the puppy can die) and that she wants another reduced price for 250$??? and she confuses me because she says that her daugther fell in love with the puppy but if I don't relower the price more she can go and buy a healthy puppy somewhere else.
So can anyone suggest what should I do in this case?
I want my puppy back now, I miss her so much, and for the price, I want her even more.
How can I start a tread? I m so lost still

[leasurepuppies]

I am looking at a female yorkie pup that is 7 weeks old, but I was told she has an inguinal hernia. She is a big yorkie for her age, being 5 pounds already. I am quite familiar with yorkies, having 6 beautiful babies already(including a rescue). This is an issue that I have never dealt with before.
The breeder says it does not bother her, and sometimes they heal over on their own over time, but sometimes they need surgical repair. I am really reserved over purchasing a pup that I know may need surgery right off the bat, but she is soo cute, that my heart is torn. Any thoughts on this?

[ralphier]

My Ralphie had 2 hernias that were just removed. I would have NEVER and I mean NEVER have been able to tell if his groomer did not find 1 of them one day. He didn't show any signs of having them, he has been all play and just a little ball of energy since the day I got him, the little stinker.

I took him to the vet and it took him almost 5 minutes to find it because it was so small. They removed it when he had his neuter and they actually found another hernia on the other side. He recovered very quickly and now you would never know he had them. I was of course beyond freaked out when I found out he had them but my vet said they really aren't a big deal. Unless they are incarcerated. The total cost of his surgery was only $500 and that included his neuter with blood work and pain meds.

[hugz4all4]

my 4 month old puppy Tucker has one and when he was first diganosed it was pretty large (which is better than being really small, less chance of strangulation) he too will need surgery, we are going to the vets tomorrow for more shots and to schedule both of his surgeries (hernia's and neutering). His surgery is only going to cost a extra 160 dollars, for at total of around 300 ish with his neutering.
When I first found out that he had one at 7 weeks I almost didnt take him. I talked to the breeder (a friend of ours) her vet, my vet and some folks on this board and even though it was scary it wasnt worth passing him up. He has had some trouble with his but thankfully nothing really major. If he gets stressed out, his intestines pop out alot and they need to be "rubbed" back in, if not he gets really uncomfortable. When I was trying him on a new food he ended up with terrible gas that was getting caught and he would scream in pain, it was awful I thought for sure we were going to end up in the ER with him but after a little while he was better.
It certainly hasnt slowed him down any. He is growing well and overall seems happy. Just keep an eye on it, check it every day and make sure that it remains soft and doesnt cause any pain also make sure your pup is passing normal stools daily and eating on a regular basis. If you notice anything wrong it is crucial that you get your pup to the vets immedialty. If a strangulation does occur they detoriate very quickly.
Although I have heard that some of them just go away on thier own, I dont believe Tuckers will. His does seem to be smaller but its still there. I would feel more comfortable having it sealed up then waiting for it to go away on its own.
Anyways this got longer than I wanted..
good luck.

[jmdt]

Originally Posted by leasurepuppies

I am looking at a female yorkie pup that is 7 weeks old, but I was told she has an inguinal hernia. She is a big yorkie for her age, being 5 pounds already. I am quite familiar with yorkies, having 6 beautiful babies already(including a rescue). This is an issue that I have never dealt with before.
The breeder says it does not bother her, and sometimes they heal over on their own over time, but sometimes they need surgical repair. I am really reserved over purchasing a pup that I know may need surgery right off the bat, but she is soo cute, that my heart is torn. Any thoughts on this?

My Pebbles was 8weeks and 2lbs. when she had her inguinal hernia fixed.

She was and is just fine now she is 10 mo. You would never

know anything was wrong. You can't even see the scar. Don't let this

keep you from getting her if you really want her. Good Luck

COCO PEBBLES TRIXIE

[violet voon]

I brought Sugar to meet a vet, the vet told me Sugar has got 2 hernia...unfortunately I will be away for a short trip next weekend, 23 to 26...so I have to wait for another 12 days to get her fixed. She is now 11 months and weights not more than 3lbs. The vet said will spay and fix the hernia at the same time, otherwise will have to do it separately if can't be done at once. I'm so worry I can't sleep