Umbilical Hernias In Shih Tzu Dogs

An umbilical hernia is the most common type of hernia found in the Shih Tzu. An umbilical hernia is a condition where there is a small opening in the navel area of ​​the abdominal wall permitting the possibility of abdominal contents to protrude. At birth, the umbilical cord is chewed by the dog or the mother or clamped and cut by the creator or in the case of a C section, the veterinarian. Seals of the body wall more after birth, but in the case of an umbilical hernia, there is a small opening and, sometimes, a small amount of fat escapes through the wall of the body and remains at outside the body. Strangulated hernia occurs when the contents caught in the hernia can not get adequate supply. This is a serious condition requiring surgery. Large hernias can be a threat to the dog. When the content of the hernia can be pushed to the normal position, it is called a reducible hernia.

Causes of umbilical hernia

There is a debate over the exact cause of umbilical hernia, but we think most probably inherited; at least, it is estimated that 90% of umbilical hernias are genetic. Umbilical hernias are more common in certain breeds, including Shih Tzu, Airedales, Pekingese and Basenji although they can happen in a race. Another possible explanation for the cause is trauma that occurs at birth, or the mother dog pulls too hard with the navel or breeder is tough to tie the placenta. Many experts say that dogs with hernias should not be created, however, there are many litters born hernia without parents contain a puppy who has a hernia.

How umbilical hernia diagnosed?

Umbilical hernias are visible lumps or swellings in the dog's abdomen. The veterinarian will try to push the contents of the hernia to the stomach area, allowing them to determine the size of the opening. A medium-sized hernia is more dangerous because it has the risk of leaving a loop of intestine to fall on the abdomen and a hernia, becoming stuck and causing him fatal strangulation. Hernias that are smaller which means they are very small for a loop of intestine to enter, or much higher, where the intestines can come and go freely, are at lower risk for potential strangulation.

Treatment of umbilical hernias

Small hernias are usually not a problem and that the dog can live your whole life without complications or problems. These small hernias alone, sometimes as young animal grows. In the highly unlikely event that an umbilical hernia becomes painful to the touch, swollen or red, the dog should be examined by a veterinarian within 24 hours.

Large hernias can be repaired when the dog is spayed or neutered since the dog is anesthetized. The tissue surrounding the hernia is removed and the abdominal wall is closed. This type of routine surgery. The site of surgery for an umbilical hernia is very near the site where an incision is made in the body wall for a procedure of "sterilization" whore. For this reason, umbilical hernias, regardless of their size are capable of being repaired, while the female dog is sterilized.

At that time, the American Kennel Club allows dogs have been shown to have had a hernia repaired. Breeders and veterinarians still argue back and forth about the dangers of creating a dog that has a hernia or who has had an overhaul. Our women have hernias can sometimes produce a puppy with a hernia and even a female with a hernia can produce an entire litter of puppies who have hernias. This suggests that the presence of hernias may depend on multiple genes, not a single report of a dominant gene / recessive.