Having a new puppy is a happy occasion, but if your puppy has an illness, you may hesitate. Should I buy a dog with a hernia? Let's discuss this lame disease so you can make a decision.
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Hernia is quite common in dogs, andherniaIt is one of the top five most common hernias in dogs. While it's more common in middle-aged female dogs during pregnancy, it can also beinnate, meaning several puppies were born with it.
If you are looking to buy a puppy from a breeder, you will often choose a puppy when it is born and pick it up when it is eight to nine weeks old.
If the dog you have chosen has a hernia and the breeder has known about it and informed you, you may hesitate to get it. Finally,Should I buy a dog with a hernia?Will this lead to complications later, additional costs for me and more time for care?
This article explains in detail what a hernia is, how serious it is, how it is treated, and how it recovers in puppies.
Should I buy a dog with a hernia?
The practical answer to this question is yes, you can buy a puppy with a hernia as long as the breeder has treated the puppy and is on the mend. However, buying a puppy with a hernia involves many things that you must process.
First you need to understand the nature and severity. A better understanding of the subject will make it clearer why buying a puppy with a hernia is perfectly acceptable.
What is a hernia?
A hernia is a condition a puppy can suffer from where their abdominal contents leak out through the inguinal ring or inguinal canal.
An inguinal canal is an opening in a puppy's muscular wall that opens at the groin area. When a puppy's inguinal canal is enlarged, there is a risk of abdominal contents opening in the groin or protruding through the enlarged canal.
Öspermatic cords and blood vesselsThey enter the groin into the testicles in a male puppy through an opening in his muscular wall, and the same exists in a bitch for the passage of her vaginal process.
This opening is known as the inguinal canal. As this inguinal canal expands, abdominal contents bulge out or protrude.
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Where does it occur?
A hernia occurs in the area where the inner crease of a puppy's hind leg attaches to its body. This hernia can vary in size and, if left untreated, can be fatal depending on its size. If the hernia is large, it could be pinching part of the uterus or bladder and this could put your pup's life in danger.
What Causes Hernia?
Although it can happen due to trauma, the most common cause of a hernia is genetic. This can happen to a puppy if its parents have previously suffered from it.
Somedog breedsDogs more likely to develop a hernia include Maltese, Pomeranian, Bull Terrier, English Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Cairn Lhasa Apso, Australian Cattle Dog, Basset Hound, Miniature Pinscher, Basenji, Pekingese, Collie, and West Highland Terrier.
The following video will help you understand hernia in puppies
Inguinal hernia in the dog!
Types of hernia
There are two types of hernia that can develop in a puppy.
Reducible inguinal hernia
A reduced hernia is a hernia where the swollen portion is just fat or the abdominal wall. These are small, less severe and the only symptom you will see is a lump or bump in a puppy's groin area.
Treating a reducible inguinal hernia is simple. A veterinarian can safely push the lump in.
irreversible hernia
If the abdominal organs protrude through the opening of the inguinal canal, it is an irreparable hernia. In addition to any obvious swelling in a puppy's groin or hind legs, you need to have them checked out as soon as possible if they show any of the other symptoms above, as they may have an irreparable hernia.
It's a more serious case of hernia. Organs that protrude from the inguinal canal can get stuck and not function properly. In more severe cases, there can be a lack of blood supply to the organ, which can lead to tissue death, resulting in strangulation of the organ.
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How can you tell if a dog has a hernia?
If a puppy has a hernia, you may see a lump on the inside of the hind legs or groin area, and activities like standing or walking will make it worse. This bulge is the main visible symptom of a hernia.
You may see swelling on one or both sides of a dog's groin. If the condition is severe, there may be some additional symptoms to look out for. Some of the symptoms are:
- The swollen area feels warm.
- The dog is in noticeable pain
- vomiting water or food.
- loss of appetite
- Fever
- cramps
- Frequent attempts to urinate
- urine with blood
- shortness of breath
- Cough
- Numbness in the dog's legs
- lethargy
- If the dog has symptoms of depression
How common is a hernia in dogs?
Puppies with a hernia are very common and several causes can lead to a puppy developing a hernia. Some of them can have it at birth, others develop it later.
A dog may have a congenital hernia or get it due to trauma it may have suffered. Most often it is a congenital hernia that you will find in a puppy.
Acquired hernias are more common in older dogs than in puppies. Congenital hernia runs in the lineage of a canine.
Talk to his breeder. If one of the puppy's parents had a hernia, the puppy may develop it later. Knowing this in advance can help you identify a hernia in your dog early.
How to diagnose a hernia in dogs
A veterinarian can diagnose if a puppy has a hernia by feeling the swelling in the groin with their hands. This method is suitable for diagnosing a repositionable hernia.
For irreparable inguinal hernias, the vet may need to do ultrasounds and x-rays to determine organ entrapment. An irreparable hernia usually affects the bladder, uterus, or bowel, and an ultrasound or x-ray is needed to determine the severity of the condition.
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Is it possible to treat a hernia in puppies?
Yes, hernia in puppies can be treated. Although a hernia may seem like a serious health problem, most often it is not and can be cured with the right treatment.
In sporadic cases, when the hernia is small and fixable, you and your vet may decide not to treat it. Be careful, however, as any later trauma in a puppy's life can cause the opening to widen and make the situation worse.
In female puppies, this can also lead to an enlargement of the inguinal canal during a later pregnancy.
How do you treat a hernia in dogs?
Once the veterinarian has determined the nature of the hernia, they can determine treatment options for the puppy. If the hernia is irreparable, the pup will likely need surgery, and as soon as possible.
In an operation, a veterinarian must remove all of themscar tissueEducation at the site of the inguinal opening. They also push organs that may have been pinched back into the abdominal cavity. To reduce the size of the groin opening to the correct size, the vet uses stitches.
The diagnosis of a hernia and its treatment must be done at the same time, because an untreated irreparable hernia can endanger the health of the puppy.Infection, organ strangulation, or tissue death can result.
If the hernia has progressed to this stage, a veterinarian can remove dead tissue from the organ and repair it with tissue, depending on the severity. However, the success of the procedure depends on how much tissue has died.
Recovery time for a dog with a hernia
After inguinal hernia surgery, you should follow the vet's instructions to help your pup make a full recovery.
Let the puppy rest and limit its activity.Dogs are very hyperactive and have a lot of energy,However, it is important not to let them play or jump during recovery after surgery to allow the wound to heal.
Your pup may show signs of stress for the first few days, but contact your vet if it goes beyond that.
Check the surgical site for signs of infection and consult your veterinarian if there are any. If you see the incision opening or organs are leaking through the incision, see your veterinarian immediately. Give your dog a smaller portion a few days after surgery and he vomits the food, contact the vet.
frequently asked questions
Can I buy a dog with a hernia?
Yes, it's okay to buy a dog with a hernia. Most hernias in dogs are treatable. However, before you buy a puppy with a hernia, ask the breeder to treat him first. If your breeder has treated the puppy and has recovered from the surgery or treatment, it's okay to buy a puppy with a hernia.
How much does it cost to repair a hernia in a dog?
The cost of repairing a hernia in a puppy depends on the severity of the hernia. However, any treatment that involves minor surgery for a hernia can cost anywhere from $150 to $500.
Pet owners may have to spend as much as $1,000 to treat hernias in more severe cases.
Can a dog outgrow a hernia?
If the hernia is small, a puppy can grow out of it. However, it is not recommended to leave a hernia untreated, no matter how small. It can later grow to a much larger size and cause complications for your pup.
Wrap up
When a breeder tells a potential buyer that the dog has a hernia. Most would wonderShould I buy a dog with a hernia?If the breeder has repaired the puppy's hernia and the puppy is recovering from the surgery, then it's okay to buy that puppy. Once the hernia is fixed it will not be a problem.