Umbilical Hernia sudden appearance in 5 week old puppy - Page 1

Last night while playing with my litter of puppies I noticed that one male has a pea sized protusion on his abdomen. I know enough to know that this is what appears to be an umbilical hernia. It had not been present until last night. Should I be more concerned due to the sudden onset of the protrusion? When I press on it it goes back in for a few moments and then reappears. Will continuing to push on it numerous times a day cause any damage or just the opposite and cause it to go back in?  I have vet 6 week check ups next Monday, ok to wait on this or would you take the pup in for a check right now? None of the pups (13 from 2 litters total had hernias nor do sire and dam).

I searched previous posts with regard to this subject and gleaned some information however, the link listing information on this topic no longer worked.

That has happened to a puppy of ours before.  Our Vet says to keep rubbing it and pushing it back in.  Rushing your puppy to the Vet won't fix the umbilical.

If it doesn't tighten up and disappear on its own, have a few stitches put in when you get the hips x-rayed and its already under anestheisa anyway.

SS

Do not keep playing with it, if it has just apeared do not be alarmed. Should seal back up within the next 4 to 6 weeks. If it does not it will require surgery but not until the pup is at least 6 months olds. Would not worry to much about it. What type of pen do you have the pups in? Is there an opening that the pups have to climb over in order to get out? " Like the Whelping box for example" If so, the pups may be dragging their belly over the obsticle in order to get out, could be the cause of the hernia. Something to think about if this has just appeared.

KR

Kaltersberg

I think you "hit the nail on the head". This is my first litter this time of year so pups are still in an indoor area using the whelping box for sleeping in. I put the side down but they still must climb in and out dragging their belly on the sides as they enter and exit to get to the play area. Typically at 3 1/2 - 4 weeks the pups are in the outside pen with the doghouse and do not have to climb in and out. So what you are saying makes good sense...Thank you.

I appreciate the wealth of knowledge I often find on this board and continue to read daily.

I will put a step up for the puppies to allow easier access until this cold spell snaps and they can get outdoors and have some fun!

I am sure you know this info already, but I will post it here for those that may not.

Umbilical Hernia's can be genetic and some can be caused by the mother dog (especially a first time mother) biting off the umbilical cord too close to the pups body.  I am not familiar with those that can be caused by the "rubbing" mentioned above.  That is interesting.

I have consulted with two vets in the past and both stated that if the "hole" in the stomach, is finger size or larger, that it most likely would need to be sewed up, or it could case serious problems, possibly even death.  Anything smaller than "finger" size, may just go away, or may just be a small bump on the stomach.  The procedure to clear up any and all, is a simple sewing up procedure.  Both vets I have discussed this with, told me that everytime that you have a pup with this problem, that when you pick the pup up for whatever reason, you should use your finger and gently push the "bubble" back into the stomach.  I personally doubt that this helps, but that is what they said to do.  I guess it couldn't hurt.

I would assume that mating two dogs that produce more than two pups in the same litter, that have umbilical hernia's, should be cause for concern when mating those same two dogs together again.  They seem to be quite common and many times are not even noticed by vets and owners during handling, although at a pups first check up with a vet, it should be checked for, just as two dropped testicles should be, for the males.

A google search can give more info, but it is nothing to panic about at the ages you are talking about here.

www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/umbilical.html

Regards,

Diane Seaman

 It is extremely rare that a dog is born with a hernia requiring surgery. Many, many pups will have them and most are of little consequence. It IS important that one be able to discern when one is problematic and needs repair vs not. Many people think all hernias are inherited and that is also probably not true.

I have seen this "sudden appearance" of a small hernia in a young pup also. Pup did not appear to have any sign of hernia at birth. Pup did not appear to have any signs of a hernia for the first 8 weeks, nor with the first vet exam or when examined at first shot time. Then, at 12 weeks when examined and given 2nd puppy shot, a small hernia was noticed. Vets explanation (2nd vet) was that this pup was very active and with jumping though and over snow banks and drifts being a winter pup, that it was not uncommon to have the "hernia" pop in or out of the opening, until the pup gets a little older and the lining is sealed completely. Vet did not think the hernia would "stay" nor that it would be any issue due to it's small size and it's appearing and otherwise not having ever existed or noticed since birth. While the pup is young, push the small bump gently inside several times a day if or when it pops out and it will heal and seal. I myself agree now they can suddenly "appear".