Puppies with hernia - Page 1

I purchased a puppy for breeding and she is now four months old. I took her to the vet to get her last set of shots, and upon that visit it was discovered that she has a hernia.
Should I continue to consider her for breeding still, or should I not? My vet told me that it could be take out and she may not have a problem, but she also said that her litters may have hernia
as well. What would you do if you were in this situation?

First of all...buying puppies for breeding almost never pans out well.   Buy proven, healthy, preferably titled adults for breeding. 

We need more information. What kind of hernia is it? 

There's way more to worry about than a hernia. I've known many good breeding dogs with hernias including a World Champion.

Jenni78, it is a bilical cord hernia. I am afraid that if it is genetic then she will past it on to her puppies, and I will receive a lot of negative feedback if that is the case.
Then I am worried about the overall health of the dog for long term breeding.

UMbilical hernia. 

Happens when cord is cut roughly, too short, or accidentally pulled by mom. Most often, has nothing whatsoever to do with genetics (ie, more congenital than actually hereditary) and if your vet doesn't know that...find a new vet. Unless it's huge, it should heal by the time she's mature. Unless her dam throws them all the time and it's common in the line and creates a problem, I really would chalk it up to "mom's fault" and not worry too much about it. 

You've got much bigger hurdles to overcome here- temperament, hips, elbows, etc...don't waste your worry on this one! 

Jenni78, if her hips are good and if it has to be removed, is it possible that she could still be good for breeding? Because if it is not genetic then it want be past on. 

Wait until you eventually have her spayed then have it fixed. As long as you don't have her jumping over barbed wire you should be OK. I agree with Dog1, there is way more to worry about.

I consider these to be like an outie bellybutton and even if they are present in the progeny a little discount and being upfront about them is perfectly fine and most buyers will not be worried once they look into it. BTW, most of these are noticeable by the 6th week and any decent vet should find them on the pre-sales vet visit. I would not worry UNLESS after the first litter she throws a lot of them meaning 1/3 to 1/2 of the litter. IMO.

Like most members have stated you have other larger worries than an umbilical cord hernia.

Good luck.

Regards,
GSD

Agree w/ GSD Admin & the others who have said it would be best to watch and wait--BUT, it WOULD be a good idea to inquire as to whether she was the only pup in the litter who has a hernia or in previous litters from the same mother, since you have it in mind to use her as a breeding female[ if all of her health evaluations are clear when she's an adult, and she's done some kind of work that's assessed by a neutral third party, but you've got time to research that stuff].  While umbilical hernias typically aren't much to worry about, there are some veterinary researchers who believe that such hernias could be indicative of a congenital or even heritable flaw in the abdominal wall if the condition is seen repeatedly in a particular line or from an individual bitch who has never been observed being rough with or pulling on the umbilicus when she's gnawing through it after each pup is whelped.  In those instances, if there appears to be a pattern of this from the mother, aunts and/or grandmother of your pup, breeding her might not be the best idea even if she meets all the other criteria.  

Don't let your vet talk you into spaying her before she's at least 18 months old, either, unless for some reason you know you won't be able to keep her from getting accidently bred when she comes in heat...you don't want accidental pups, but you also don't want to lose the benefits of the hormones while she's still maturing.

 

I don't think the 'golf ball' my boy carried around with him for most of his
life (its been sewn up now 'cos he Bloated a year ago and my vet threw in
the repair) could just be described as an "outie" !   Despite what Jen claims,
most of the geneticists agree Umbilical Hernia is more likely to be genetic
than an over-enthusiastic cord removal by the dam (though such do sometimes
exist, no doubt fueling the belief).  So it almost certainly will get passed on some
time through breeding - which is why Show folk don't like them - but no, unless
its large enough to continually promote concern that a section of gut may come
through and strangulate, it isn't the worst fault in the world.