What are the Different Types of Hernias Seen in Puppies?
In puppies, the most commonly seen hernias are:
- Hiatal: the hiatus is an opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus, which carries food from the mouth to the stomach, passes from the chest to the abdomen. If the opening is larger than it should be, the stomach can start to bulge through into the chest cavity.
- Peritoneopericardial: this mouthful of a word refers to an opening between the peritoneum (a membrane lining the abdominal cavity) and the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart). This results from an embryologic problem during development, and is the most common form of congenital pericardial defect in the dog.
What is a hernia and what causes them?
Hernias are a common congenital condition (meaning that puppies are born with them), affecting around 1 in 500 puppies. Although they can make some dogs seriously unwell, most are usually discovered at a puppy’s first checks or vaccinations without any associated or preceding signs of ill-health.
A hernia is a hole in the muscle wall of the tummy (abdomen) which allows the abdominal contents (fat, intestines and other organs) to squeeze through into a space under the skin or, less commonly, through the diaphragm into the chest. This usually causes a soft, squishy swelling under the skin, which often fluctuates in size. It may occasionally pop in and out of the tummy, disappearing for short periods of time. Hernias involving the chest don’t show obvious external changes but instead affect a puppy’s breathing, or cause chronic (ongoing) vomiting.
While some hernias result from trauma causing a tear in the muscle, most puppy hernias are congenital problems. This is where the muscle fails to develop properly. There may be a genetic element to this condition, as some breeds appear more susceptible. So it is advisable not to breed from a dog with a hernia.
Hernias typically arise in specific locations. The commonest kind in puppies are umbilical hernias, located near a puppy’s belly button. These result from the muscle failing to close over the area where the umbilical cord entered the body. Less frequently, hernias are found in the groin (inguinal) or next to the bottom (perineal). These are more common in older dogs and can be uncomfortable or cause problems with a dog’s ability to toilet properly. The rarest kind of hernias involve the diaphragm and can be more difficult to diagnose as they are less obvious from outside.
Buying a Puppy With an Umbilical Hernia: Yes or No?
If a puppy has a hernia, chances are it’s an umbilical one. An umbilical hernia is usually a harmless birth defect that can go away on its own or be corrected through minor surgery.
The degree to which an umbilical hernia will affect a puppy depends on the hernia’s size.
Larger hernias or hernias that are progressively getting bigger are what you should be wary of. Puppies with relatively large umbilical hernias are prone to serious complications down the road.
This is also true for hernias that cause visible discomfort to a puppy when touched.
In these cases, you should keep in mind that the puppy is likely to need significant medical attention and care. You should also note that this may be an increased financial burden.
Before a puppy is born, it gains nourishment from its mother through its umbilical cord. This is the connection between the puppy and its mother’s placenta.
When the little pup enters the world, it has no further use for the umbilical cord. Therefore, the cord is usually chewed off by the mother or is cut off and sealed by the breeder.
The remnants of the umbilical cord form the puppy’s belly button.
In some cases, the area from which the umbilical cord is cut off fails to close up fully. This condition is referred to as an umbilical hernia.
My puppy has a hernia! What should I do? | Sweetie Pie Pets by Kelly Swift
Umbilical hernias are a common finding in many puppies. Most of them are basically “outie” belly buttons. If small, they may seal up on their own and generally dont cause any problems. Larger ones may require surgery to close up the abdominal wall and prevent intestines from slipping out or getting twisted.
Some dog breeds such as Weimaraners are predisposed to these hernias. Ideally dogs with anything other than very small umbilical hernias should not be bred. This is especially true if most of the puppies in the litter have one, suggesting genetic predisposition.