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Umbilical Hernias in Shih Tzu Dogs

  • 16/08/2012

An umbilical hernia is the most common type of hernia found in the Shih Tzu Breed. An umbilical hernia is a condition where there is a small opening in the abdomen wall area of the umbilicus allowing the possibility of contents from the abdomen to protrude. This area can be found on the dog's stomach at the location where the umbilical cord was attached. It appears as a little soft lump or swelling. At birth, the umbilical cord is either chewed off by the mother dog or clamped and cut by the breeder or in the case of a C-section, the veterinarian. The normal umbilicus stays open in the fetus allowing blood flow and nutrients from the mother to the baby until birth when it normally would close. The body wall seals over after birth, but in the case of an umbilical hernia, a small opening remains and sometimes a small amount of fat escapes through the body wall and remains outside the body. If the opening is very large, there is a risk of a loop of intestine escaping and become strangulated. A strangulated hernia occurs when the contents caught in the hernia cannot receive adequate supply. This is a serious condition that requires surgery. Large hernias can pose a threat to the puppy. When the hernia's contents can be pressed back into normal position it is called a reducible hernia.

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