6 wk old pup w/hernia??

[high ridge joe]

are these common in pups? will they heal themselves as they grow or does it need surgery??

[Lance]

I had four pups out of the same litter have umbillical hernias at 6 weeks old and all four healed themselves. It was the mothers first litter and I assume she was rough cutting the cords. Good luck

[Red Briar Kennels]

Joe, umbilical hernias occure frequently in puppies at about 2 weeks of age. They usually get smaller and disappear by 6 months of age. Sometimes "binding" the abdominal wall with straps does not necessarily increase the chance of closure. If you can push your finger through the umbilical ring, they usually suggest that the hernia will need to be repaired by a vet.

Since you weren't clear in your post as to where the hernia was,....there are often two types of hernias. One is a inguinal hernia or often called a groin hernia. The other and usually more common is called the naval, or umbilical hernia which I mentioned.

If the hernia or "bulge" of either can be pushed back into the abdomin, the hernia is generally reducible with time. But if not, it may be considered to be incarcerated, in which it becomes strangulated when the blood supply to the contents of the hernia sac is pinched off. Any hard or painful swelling at the naval or in the groin could be an incarcerated hernia and will require immediate vet. attention.

Hernias have a hereditary basis I am told by vets, because there is a genetic predisposition for delayed closure of the abdominal ring. Although as I think Lance stated, a naval or umbilical hernia may develop when the cord is cut too close to the abdominal wall, and will usually heal with time. Good luck with those pups.