Hernia is one of the most common medical issues in the Shih Tzu. This problem is caused by the incomplete closure of the umbilical or inguinal ring leaving a hole where the intestine, fats or abdominal organs can pass through. It can be felt on the skin as a soft lump which usually grows and shrinks from time to time. It is not an emergency situation; but if you are taking care of a Shih Tzu, you must have a fairly good idea on how to handle hernia.
Hernia is linked to a genetic disposition where a dam or sire, when bred has a very high probability to pass the ‘hernia gene’ on to the puppies. It not unusual to see all puppies in one litter with hernia when one of the parents have one. Actually, Shih Tzu with hernia are not suggested for breeding because hernia is considered an anatomical defect. Problem rarely occur; but when you observe inappetence, vomiting and constipation, it is time to have your Shih Tzu checked. There are cases when the hernia needs to be corrected by manually replacing back the herniated contents to the abdomen or simply removing the lodged fat in the area. Common areas to find hernia in the Shih Tzu are on the inguinal and umbilical regions. Your vet will assess the level of treatment the hernia has to be given or if it should be given any attention at all. Usually, older Shih Tzu are more prone to hernia problems because the skin and ligaments are not as strong anymore leading to an increased opening of the size of the hole. Also, if the intestine or any abdominal organ has been strangulated and blood supply is already compromised, resection and surgery is already indicated. Management include avoiding overeating or a full stomach meal and increased walking and running after eating because the pressure on the abdomen can further increase the hernia ring size.
Having a Shih Tzu with hernia is nothing alarming; but make sure to see your vet regularly to so the hernial ring size can be monitored. No food is restricted and basically, your pup can live just like any normal fluffy happy Shih Tzu.
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