Just got a 2 month old shih tzu...?

Question

I got the dog 3 days ago and I took him to have his 1st set of shots yesterday. The vet said that he had a hernia and he needs to have surgery but besides that he was healthy. I really like the dog now but I don't know if I should take him back to the guy that I got him from or just pay for the surgery. Any shih tzu owner ever had this problem and is the hernia something that can come back after the procedure? Please help.

Answer 1

I raise Japanese Chin and an umbilical hernia is common in the Japanese Chin, just as it is a common occurrence in the Shih Tzu, as well. The hernia is a small opening in the abdominal wall at the area of the umbilical cord. When the cord heals, the abdominal wall should heal, too, but sometimes that healing is delayed. Fluid comes down and fills under the skin, making it look like an "outie" belly button. Most vets will fix it at the time that you have your puppy spayed or neutered.

My first Chin had an enormous hernia and, since i wanted to breed her, it had to be repaired. Even as a "stand alone" surgery, it was only $130 to have it repaired and, like i said, it was quite sizeable. Having the hernia stitched at the same time as the spay/neuter surgery is performed saves money because the dog is already under anesthesia and the doctor is already in the area, so to speak.

In virtually all cases, it isn't life threatening in any way, and, no, it cannot come back once it has been repaired. Your puppy is only 2 months old; unless it is a particular hard-edged type of hernia, it could still close on its own.

Read this:
http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/umbilical.html

~ especially the second sentence of the last paragraph of the page. It's written by a veterinarian. I think this page will make a lot of things clearer for you as well as give you some greater insight.

The umbilical hernia is not caused by a dam in whelp ripping the umbilical cord at all. Two of my girls have had to have c-sections and, even after the vet tied off beautiful little umbilical cord knots on the puppies, two still had an umbilical hernia. One eventually closed on its own; the other did not, but it was not so large as to bother with it.

Answer 2

If it is a reputable breeder they should have a refund or health guarantee. You need to tell the breeder regardless because they may not know that the parents of your pup are throwing pups with hernias, most good breeders will stop breeding the pair. hernias can come back after surgery but is unlikely unless the puppy is too active after the first surgery and has the sutures break. A hernia is just where the muscles didnt grow together properly and the intestines are forcing out the opening between muscles. Depending on how bad it is you might try rubbing the area a few times a day. If they arent bad then it sometimes closes on its own without having to do surgery (if you rub it constantly). Now if it is really bad then surgery is what should be done. A lot of puppies get hernias and have them repaired without any compications, but some hyper pupps have to have it done twice. Well you should try and get the breeder to pay for the surgery or refund your money (which might mean they want the puppy back so they can try and sell it to someone else-if they are one of the bad breeders). I hope this helps and you shouldnt worry about the surgery it is pretty common. Good luck

Answer 3

One of my Shih Tzu girls had a hernia when she was a puppy, too. It eventually corrected itself (as they will often do). Where is the hernia located? Hers was on the belly and the vet had ensured me that it could be corrected at the same time I had her spayed, if I wanted. You may check with your vet about correcting the hernia at the same time your dog is neutered, so that you don't have the concerns of anesthesia more than once. Good luck!

Answer 4

Shih tzu's make wonderful pets and will bond with you almost immediately! We got ours from a breeder when he was 4 months, and he had no hernia, so I can't help you there. The best advice I can give you is to feed them 'good' food - not the cheap stuff, because often their little tummies can't handle it and you'll constantly be cleaning up messes! Also, never, ever give them table food! This will make them sick as well. Ours has allergies, so I have to bathe him with hypoallergenic baby shampoo and rinse and he goes to the groomer every 4 - 6 weeks to be clipped, otherwise his coat gets tangled even though we brush him every day. He's hot natured, so he prefers a puppy cut anyway. We've had him for 3 years now, and he gives love unconditionally! Even my husband loves him, and it's cute when they take naps together! We agreed when we got him that we would visit the vet regularly and treat any injuries - I pray you do the same!

I wish you well with your new puppy!

Answer 5

If this dog came with a health guarantee, then you should get the breeder to pay for this surgery. The pup should have had an exam done before being given to you. Don't take the pup back just because of this.

Answer 6

are the 1 year old and 2 month old females if so keep the male away from them as they are to young to be bred anyway. If you don't plan on breeding or showing get everyone fixed..that will help..if the 1 year old and 2 month old are both males your 8 month old male could be asserting his dominance over the other two males..

Answer 7

you dont need to be a shih tzu owner to answer this one...i have had two dogs and a few cats...my cat had this problem...it happens because at birthing they tug too hard on the umbilical cord...the person who sold you the dog, if they are reputable should pay for the surgery to correct the issue..and my cat...purrfectly fine after it was corrected, but do it sooner than later...

Answer 8

You should make the guy you bought the little doggie from pay for the surgery. Or just pay it...if you don't the little guy will probably be put to sleep.... :(

Answer 9

ask the original owner for a refund, but tell them that it is going towards the surgery,