You are here:

Ask the Veterinarian/Hernia in maltese

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/26/2011


Question
Hello, after a vet appointment to have my Maltese checked I am told she has a hernia (small) umbilical. O am wondering what caused this and have I caused it by picking her ip for a cuddle.  She is 15 months and not yet had her 1st season

Answer
Dogs are often born with umbilical hernias. It is from the inguinal ring in the abdomen not being closed all the way when the pups are born.  They usually resolve as the dog grows older. If they do not close, the vet will repair them when he is in there spaying the dog. It is not from you cuddling her. :-)

If your dog is not show quality and registered then she should not be used for breeding. If she came from a pet store you should never breed her.  If you are not intending to breed her, you want to get her spayed BEFORE her first heat, not after it.

Every heat they have causes them to get closer and closer to developing breast cancer when they are older. Once that starts, there is no stopping it in dogs. They can start getting it as young as 5 yrs old.

So get her spayed soon.

Ask the Veterinarian

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.