The realities of ruptures

I have seen a littler of pups but the one I fancy has an umbilical hernia. At what age would you repair this?

Neil says: There is not really a set answer to this question. Large hernias, which might allow a loop of bowel to protrude and become strangulated, should probably be surgically repaired in pups as young as a few weeks of age. Certainly, I have seen a few that have had to be operated on as an emergency due to this.

Affected pups become very dull and the area around the hernia is discoloured, swollen and painful. Smaller hernias, especially in the bitch, are often left and repaired at the time of neutering. Occasionally, if they are tiny, they can be left alone but remember they are prone to enlarge in athletic dogs and pregnant bitches.

Since they have a hereditary component (and are linked with retained testicles in dogs), careful consideration should be given to breeding from affected individuals.