Hernia
A Hernia is a protrusion of fat (and/or bowel) through an opening in the abdominal wall – in human babies and puppies it would normally CLOSE during development. The protrusion produces a bulge.
Among all different forms of hernias (H. abdominalis, H. adiposa – if somebody is very fat cause by excessive weight – H. cruralis and all the many many others). There are two forms we have
mainly to deal with in babies and puppies.
• Umbilical hernia – located at navel
• Inguinal hernia – located at groin
If the hernia is reducible the bulge can be pushed back into the abdomen; if not, it is an incarcerated hernia.
Any hard or painful swelling at the navel or in the groin could be an incarcerated hernia and will require immediate veterinary attention, because they can become strangulated when the blood supply to the contents of the hernia sac is pinched off.
In human babies the belly is tightly wrapped to push the bulge back in the abdominal wall – I wonder if this method would work on puppies too.
Hernias have a hereditary basis, because there is a genetic predisposition for delayed closure of the abdominal ring (and this is what CAUSES a hernia due to genetic reasons).
Occasionally, a navel hernia may develop when the umbilical cord (which keeps baby or puppy connected to mothers placenta) is cut too close to the abdominal wall – or if the bitch licks and chews excessively the puppies belly.
Inguinal hernias are more common in female dogs. A bulge in the groin may not be seen until after the bitch has been bred or becomes very old, in which case a pregnant or diseased uterus may be incarcerated in the hernia. These hernias should be reapired. Small inguinal hernias in male uppies can be monitored closely, as many will close spontaneously. If they do not, ask to have them repaired.
Umbilical hernias occur frequently in puppies at about two weeks of age. They usually get smaller and disappear by six months of age. Binding the abdominal wall with straps does not increase the
chance of closure (in dogs but in human babies it works fine).
- due to MD J.m. Giffing & DVM Liisa D. Carlson
If you can push a finger through the umbilical ring, the hernia should be repaired. The operation is not difficult and the pup can leave hospital the same day. In females, repair of an umbilical hernia can often be delayed until the time of spaying.
The "connective tissue" underneath the abdominal wall and in the intestinal area plays a certain role conc. disposition for hernias, as all support (tightness) to keep the internal organs at their place is given by intestinal tissue and intestinal cords and if these are "weak" the likelihood for hernia increases.
In humans there is a "constitutional weakness of connective tissue" known which leads (again in humans) to hernias, haemorrhoids etc.
The Textus connectivus (lat. for connective tissue) consists in connective-tissue-cells and intercellulaer substances and is a kind of "filling for body-areas where no organs are placed and as well a kind of sheltering wrap around organs and nerves and esp. in female humans it has the function of a fat-storage nec. in case of pregnancy".
There are various types of Textus connectivus, e.g. one type is surrounding the bones and cartilage and so far any weakness or disfunction of the metabolism of connective tissue in this area is as well responsible for developing disorders such as HD, ED, OCD (as the cartilage or bone doesn’t get enough support).
The insterstitiell type of Textus connectivus is the one important to keep inside abdomen and intestinum everything in place. It is know that due to age (start’s in humans already at 30 – 35 yrs.) the connective tissue becomes somewhat weaker (we can recognize this as the skin isn’t that tight anymore). The whole time of pregnancy, esp. the 2nd and last third of pregnancy, means hard work for the connective tissue. Therefore physicians (and vet’s) recommend to continue with a daily training (gymnastics, walks etc.) to keep the connective tissue as tight as possible.
All stuff which is of benefit for humans will as well help dogs, e.g. Silicea is known to be a very important mineral which works esp. on the connective tissue.
For bitches it would mean that utmost care is taken for the pregnant bitch (see above) vitamin- and mineral-input should be higher after day 30/35, than it is in the regular food. The bitch should be taken for walks not long but regularly.
After delivery the bitch needs enough time to gain back her former status (how long this takes is depending on the age, the vitality and the litter-size and the amount of litters, the bitch had already as well).
Anyway due to hormonal factors bitches are more prone to develop hernias and we should also pay much more attention to hernias in bitches (puppies and adult onces) than in males.
Even if there is the genetic background which involves males as well, it is the female creature of every species who has to deal with the pregnancy and gaining back condition.
When it comes to puppies you have to be careful. A puppy can develop a hernia if he/she is carried the wrong way. Hernias in puppies can also occur:
• Puppy just raising under the frontlegs and the most heavy part of body (belly and bottom) hanging down unsupported, could cause a ruptur in the bulge.
• Puppy climbing excessively (at the wall of whelping box) or jumping excessively could cause a ruptur in the bulge.
• As Leo-puppies are rather heavy (and as the people seem to run a competition whose puppies have the most kilogram’s at 8 weeks) they have as all giant breeds with quite large and
heavy puppies, a certain higher risk to develop hernias.
• In some countries (e.g. Germany there is a remark conc. hernias on the pedigree (and in the protocol made by the club’s litter-inspector and I know that in Belgium they have also
a remark in that whelping protocol but not on the pedigree).
I would personally not breed with a bitch who had either a large inguinal- or umbilical hernia with the male I would be less restrictive, due to the above mentioned.
© E. Steffen
Sources: various medical and vet-med. books
