On Sat, Sep 24, 2011
at 10:31 AM, ...@gmail.com> wrote:
My friend gave us a sweet loving 4 month old Shih Tzu
who had an inguinal hernia. No one wanted her so I took
her and planned to get her surgery taken care of. Well,
my husband lost his job and we don't have the $1,000+
Hawaii charges for the 45 min. surgery. When she stands
it feels like a golf ball and the other side ain't so
bad. It hasn't grown. Can I monitor it? When do I know
we're in trouble? Hope you can help.
Much mahalo for your kokua.
Name of owner
E-MAIL REPLY FROM DR SING DATED SUNDAY SEP 25,
2011
I am Dr Sing from Toa Payoh Vets,
www.toapayohvets.com. Thank you for your email.
Inguinal hernias in Shih Tzus or other puppies
vary in size. Small-sized hernias of less than 1
cm in diameter may not cause problems to the Shih
Tzu and have been left alone without any health
issues. Two health issues are as follows:
1. Since your Shih Tzu's hernia is the size of a
golf ball (according to your email), it is best to
get it repaired as soon as possible. This is
because the intestines get trapped inside the
hernia and may get twisted over time.
When the intestines get twisted, the blood supply
to the intestines get strangulated and so the
intestines cannot receive blood supply. The
intestines become gangrenous. The puppy's inguinal
hernia area will be painful to the touch.
2. Some puppies keep licking the skin of the
hernia till it becomes thin and rupture as they
try to relieve themselves of the pain and
irritation under the skin of the hernia. When the
skin ruptures, the intestines and fat spill out,
leading to the imminent death of the puppy unless
the vet repairs the defect immediately.
I presume the puppy has no pain in the herniated
area presently. Therefore you can still continue
to monitor it. The hernia may get bigger with time
as the puppy grows bigger. Therefore, it is best
for the puppy to get such a large hernia repaired.
Explain to the vet your financial situation
(discuss instalment payments) or look for another
vet who may be able to help your puppy.
Pl email to me 2 pictures of the hernia (side view
left side and right side standing) if possible.
Best wishes.
TOA
PAYOH VETS
