CliffandGriff
New member
- Oct 25, 2011
- 9
- 0
We just found out from a vet that our puppy has a small umbilical hernia. We had just thought he had an outie belly button, but now realize that is fat that escaped from the hernia and is now trapped on the outside.
Two days ago, a vet technician said she thought he might have a hernia when she was doing his shots. Then the actual vet examined him and said she couldn't find a hole and thought that he no longer had a hernia.
We didn't want to chance anything so we got a second opinion. Today another vet took a look and confirmed that he has a small hernia. He said the hole is about the diameter of a BIC pen cap. He said it is small and advises just to repair it when we neuter him. He advises to do that at 6 months.
I have heard from others though that it is best to neuter bulldogs later than that. I have heard anywhere from 10 months to 1.5 years. I spoke with this vet about this and he said that waiting could pose greater anesthesia risks and readvised to do it at 6 months.
The argument for waiting to neuter is that the additional time allows the bulldog's chest to widen, head to grow, etc. and that doing it earlier could cause joint issues later when the dog is heavier b/c the frame didn't grow enough to properly support it.
My parents have a bulldog that they neutered at 1 year and he looks great. He's a bit on the heavy side though which I don't know if it is diet, lack of exercise, or neuter related.
The 2nd vet said that dogs that are neutered after 6 months tend to put on too much weight as they mature....
Anyway, what are everyone's thoughts on how I should handle this?
Do we do both surgeries at 6 months or wait until later so he has more time to mature and pray that the hernia stays small and he handles the anesthesia well?
Thanks so much!
Two days ago, a vet technician said she thought he might have a hernia when she was doing his shots. Then the actual vet examined him and said she couldn't find a hole and thought that he no longer had a hernia.
We didn't want to chance anything so we got a second opinion. Today another vet took a look and confirmed that he has a small hernia. He said the hole is about the diameter of a BIC pen cap. He said it is small and advises just to repair it when we neuter him. He advises to do that at 6 months.
I have heard from others though that it is best to neuter bulldogs later than that. I have heard anywhere from 10 months to 1.5 years. I spoke with this vet about this and he said that waiting could pose greater anesthesia risks and readvised to do it at 6 months.
The argument for waiting to neuter is that the additional time allows the bulldog's chest to widen, head to grow, etc. and that doing it earlier could cause joint issues later when the dog is heavier b/c the frame didn't grow enough to properly support it.
My parents have a bulldog that they neutered at 1 year and he looks great. He's a bit on the heavy side though which I don't know if it is diet, lack of exercise, or neuter related.
The 2nd vet said that dogs that are neutered after 6 months tend to put on too much weight as they mature....
Anyway, what are everyone's thoughts on how I should handle this?
Do we do both surgeries at 6 months or wait until later so he has more time to mature and pray that the hernia stays small and he handles the anesthesia well?
Thanks so much!