My 6 month old Lab puppy had a small umbilical hernia. The vet pointed it out to us on her first exam but said it was small, nothing to worry about. We had her spayed 8 days ago and did not know we should have asked to have the hernia repaired as well - nor did the vet suggest it. Now, the hernia appears to be larger - protrusion is bigger and very very tender to the touch. The hernia is right above her incision. Could this just be tenderness from the surgery or could her hernia be worse now? Will it heal on its own? I wish I had researched it better before her surgery - I would have insisted the vet repair it then. Also, I 'm a little annoyed the vet didn't suggest that herself. Thanks for any adivce anyone may have.
2007-03-25 13:05:05 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
say what?!:<&
2007-03-25 13:10:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes, it can. Take her to another vet. Umbilical hernia
An umbilical hernia is the most common type of hernia found in puppies. In the case of umbilical hernias, a portion of fat or internal organs protrudes through an incompletely closed umbilical ring. Umbilical hernias may be present at birth, or may be acquired. The most common means of acquiring an umbilical hernia is as a result of the umbilical cord being severed too close to the abdominal wall.
In most cases umbilical hernias are small and reduce as the puppy grows. Generally, by the time the pup is six months old the umbilical hernia will shrink and disappear on its own. If the pup has a large hernia, or one that can be pushed into the abdomen with a finger, consult your veterinarian regarding possible surgical repair. â¥â¥â¥
2007-03-25 20:25:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say that you need to get a new vet, pronto. You leave the health of your little pooch in their hands, and they're supposed to be expert enough to suggest appropriate treatment. Jeeeezzzz. It's certainly not your fault that you didn't research enough. So don't "should" on yourself, okay?
It's a shame the vet didn't do the hernia repair at the same time as he/she spayed her. Now you have to go through the expense of another examination, perhaps more medication, and more surgery ($$$). Perhaps your vet was counting on just that, so he'd have three more office calls and another surgery to charge for! Hope he has a nice holiday in Hawaii at your expense.
Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now ... but in answer to your question, the hernia and surrounding tissue, or the site of the surgery, may be infected. I'd immediately get me hence to ANOTHER vet and get it diagnosed. So sorry your little one is feeling miserable and you're going to be even more out of pocket.
2007-03-25 20:22:01 · answer #3 · answered by mindlinkadvantage 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think whoever did the surgery should have mentioned it to you. Or at least have someone call you before the surgery to ask about having it repaired. Since she just had the surgery it could be just swelling from that but if you feel that it looks worse then by all means call the vet and have them take another look at it. I think it would have been hard to miss durring the spray and personally if the vet doing the surgery saw it would have reapired it at the same time. I think it was a fault on their part not to just repair it.
2007-03-25 20:18:18 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I can't understand why your vet didn't fix it when she spayed her..they always do . First call your vet and make sure that they did or didn't do it, if not then ask why. It really surprises me they didn't do it. What you might be seeing is from the surgery. First make sure it was or wasn't done, if not then tear your vet a new butt hole. Why would they put a dog through two surgery when only one was needed. If she does need her hernia fix I sure wouldn't be paying for it.
2007-03-25 20:35:47 · answer #5 · answered by china 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It won't heal or change on it's own now, it could be just tender from the surgery when she was spayed. You should have gotten it repaired when she was spayed. If it's not huge and not likely to catch on anything as she grow and is out playing etc. I wouldn't worry about it. But if it seems like it is infected or irritated at all I would see the vet. Likely when you go in to have the stitches removed from the spay he'll take a look.
It's a minor thing, it is NOT worth putting your dog thru a 2nd surgery just to repair that. Surgery is VERY hard on dogs, It's one thing to get something important done like spay / neuter etc, but it is unnecessary to put a dog thru unnecessary surgery to repair something that is essentially cosmetic.
2007-03-25 20:17:16 · answer #6 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I agree, it should have been mentioned, and repaired during the spay.
And, yes, it can be made worse.
There are internal stitches that can come out and really be bad news for the dog.
Go back to the vet now. Tell them your concerns, and about the hernia, and see if they will work with you.
If not, go to a different vet.
2007-03-25 20:10:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
There is nothing all that uncommon about having the hernia, and it is the norm for it to be repaired during the spay procedure.
I would go back to the vet and say "hay you owe me one".
2007-03-25 20:14:37 · answer #8 · answered by tom l 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
why didnt your vet give you the option of getting it removed when you got your dog fixed? they usually offer this when they are doing a spay or neuter? and its only a couple of dollars more to boot!!! it should heal fine just keep an eye on it but its just to bad that you didnt get it done when you got your dog fixed.
2007-03-25 20:31:19 · answer #9 · answered by poopsy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋