hernia's and pom/chi mix

[leann2078]

My mom in law has some pom/chi mixe puppies and discovered when she took them to the vet they had small hernias. Has anyone else heard of this? Is it because of the cross breeding or is it a pom thing? her vet told her that it's a inherited trait from the males but the breeder told her it was from both male and female parents. Any thoughts?

[Moo]

Ooh, ooh, pick me. I read up a bit on puppy hernias.

Umbilical Hernias can happen in basically any breed. A true hernias are usually relatively large, have thick edges, and would be some unsupported abdominal lining, or abdominal organs would be protruding from the cavity. "True hernias" are usually treated with surgery, and can be life threatening, as they can lead to heart problems of sorts among other organ weaknesses. "True Hernias" are inherited, and dogs who have a history of "true hernias" in their families should not be bred, and the malformation can come from either parent.

HOWEVER. Most umbilical hernias in puppies are not "true hernias". They are hernias, but usually small, round, right near the naval area, and will repair itself over time. These hernias are actually "Delayed Closures." The protrusion in a delayed closure is not abdominal lining, but basically fat. (Omentum, the stuff that holds the fat.) Usually delayed closures are small enough that no small intestine can slip through.

Dogs with larger delayed closures should have their naval areas massaged, and basically the hernia "pushed in" in case any small intestine is slipping through, because as the delayed closure closes itself, the intestine can get pinched. Sometimes delayed closures will close themselves and leave some omentum on the outside of the closure, and cause a permanent outie belly button. Delayed closures aren't inherited.

True Hernias will not repair themselves in the slightest.

[micki]

good info, Moo.
It also can be from the mother or someone tugging on the umbilical cord too roughly causing the closure to be delayed.
Most are simply repaired at spaying or neutering if still not closed

[micki]

I bred poms for 15 years and not one hernia. It can happen to any pup.

[RoughCollies]

Faith had an umbilical hernia. It was removed during spay. I guess by MOO's definition it wasn't a true hernia, but either way it was there. It was because she got stuck and the breeder had to get her out and apparantly her umbilical cord was damaged.

[EmmaGirl]

Yep I agree. It sounds like an umbilical hernia where the umbilical cord was pulled. I doubt it's breed specific as I have 3 Poms (one from a breeding that I did) and not one hernia seen.