[acdacd]

Hello,

I recently rescued a dog and took her to the vet for a checkup. The vet stated he felt a "bubble" and that it was probably a hernia (I had never felt it prior to, but I wasn't poking around either). Anyway, I was petting her today (5 days after the vet) and felt it. The bulge is outside the skin and about the size of a robin egg ( maybe a bit bigger). Should i get a second opinion about this needing to be operated on? She is acting normally and eating normally. She is 1yr 2mo old.

[CorkyMax]

Here are some sites to check out:


Inguinal Hernia in Dogs - Page 1

http://www.furrycritter.com/health/d...nal_hernia.pdf




This is a section from this vet's site. (I like his very informative articles)
Ron Hines DVM PhD

What Are Hernias?

Hernias are bulges or tears in your pet's body wall that allow body organs and tissue to pass into areas where they do not belong.

Hernias are quite similar to sidewall bulges on automobile tires. Some are a minor inconvenience while others are life-threatening conditions. Some are present from birth (congenital) while others are the result of injury. When the hernia’s contents can be pressed back into normal position it is called a reducible hernia. If the contents of the hernia do not receive adequate blood supply it is called a strangulated hernia.

Inguinal Hernias:

Hernias in the groin commonly occur in female dogs that are pregnant or experiencing bloating or constipation. I occasionally see the problem in male dogs as well. In all cases, tissue that belongs in the rear of the abdominal cavity presses
out through a weak area surrounding the femoral artery and nerve. Usually the hernia sac contains nothing but fat. It is reducible back into the abdomen with finger pressure. Under general anesthesia, this sac can be carefully dissect out with scissors and scalpel until it resembles a small balloon attached to the thigh Then it can be carefully replace it into the abdomen. One has to be very cautious when darning the hole shut, not to pinch the femoral artery or nerve. It is quite common for a second hernia form later on the unaffected opposite groin so to be safe, both sides should be carefully checked and any weakness reinforced. I occasionally see inguinal hernias in immature pekingeses - too young to become pregnant. The condition also occasionally occurs in males. When it does the surgery is the same. Post surgical scaring reinforces and blocks future hernias at the site – if the surgery is done meticulously, it will not reoccur.

You had posted this in another post: quote: I know she will need much more time to acclimate, but thus far she has shown no desire to play with toys (expect a stuffed animal her and there then looses desire quickly) or other dogs, and rather lounge on the couch with us than be active. She doesn't pull on a leash and at times, will walk behind me because she walks slow. Is this normal for a dog to be this mature and calm at such a young age? Do you maybe think this hernia might be causing her to act as she is?!! I am inclined to think so!