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If
a Pekingese puppy has an umbilical hernia, it will be apparent by 6
weeks of age as a bubblelike protrusion at the navel. This occurs when
the umbilical rings fail to close fully after birth. Umbilical hernias
can be caused by heredity, cutting the umbilical cord too short, or
excessive stress on the umbilical cord during delivery. The frequency
of occurrence of this type of hernia in Pekes should indicate that
heredity is a factor. The mode of inheritance is unknown. The concern
that this condition poses for the future of the breed is small in
comparison with far more weighty matters such as structural soundness,
excellence in breed type and longevity.
In
more than 30 years of experience with Pekingese, only once did our
veterinarian feel surgical correction of an umbilical hernia was
necessary The size of the protrusions we have seen range from minuscule
to the size of a nickel at 6 weeks, and if makes note of the presence
of a hernia, the pup is monitored. Not once have any of the puppies had
a problem. In the highly unlikely event that an umbilical hernia
becomes painful to the touch, swollen or red, the dog should be
examined by a veterinarian within 24 hours. Experienced Peke breeders
have found that bitches with umbilical hernias - some quite large - are
unaffected by repeated pregnancies, even with large litters.
Some
veterinarians are unaware that umbilical hernias can be a common
occurrence in Pekingese. They alarm new owners with recommendations for
surgical correction and a call to spay or neuter the pup regardless of
its quality.
A
Pekingese status as a candidate for future breeding should not be
determined by the presence of an umbilical hernia. While concerns about
the condition may be justifiable with some other breeds, not so with
Bernese. The call for surgical repair is usually unnecessary, other
than for cosmetic reasons.
One
veterinarian actually told the new owners of a 9-week-old potential
show puppy that the pup's small umbilical hernia (identified by the
breeder and her attending veterinarian as being no problem)) would have
to be repaired for the health of the dog even if it would disqualify
the dog from showing because of the surgical alteration of appearance.
In fact, the AKC's disqualification applying to all breeds regarding
hernia surgery mentions only corrections of inguinal (in or near the
groin), scrotal or perineal (near the anus) hernias, not umbilical
hernias. Fortunately, inguinal, scrotal and perineal hernias are very
rare in Pekingese.
The
presence of an umbilical hernia should, of course, be called to the
attention of the prospective owner. We have found it helpful to provide
a written, referenced discussion of umbilical hernias in Pekingese Dogs
that can be presented to the puppy's veterinarian to assist in making
knowledgeable recommendations to the owner.
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