A Visitor asked the following question on 3/14/2006
Hello, I am a first time Shih Tzu owner, and I have a beautiful five month old puppy who just developed a hard lump on her belly last week. I took her to the vet and he said, it looks like hernia, however hernias don't show up this late, and it isn't soft. He also said that I had to get her spayed soon, and that it is unethical to breed her. I am dubious....does anyone have an idea? Thank you
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3/16/06
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If a hernia is present now it has always been there. Most of time they heal on their own and usually stay soft. When soft, most pet owners never realize they are there. The fact that it appears to of just shown up, is usually the result in the opening of the stomach becoming enlarged once this happens a portion of her intestine can protrude through the hole. The hardness is usually a section of intestine that isn't getting an adequate blood supply. This being said it is imparative to get the hernia repaired as soon as possible. This situation can become life threatening if left untreated. As far as whether to breed or not breed, that is a personal decision. I am a breeder and I will say if you choose to breed, please inform yourself as to the pitfalls of breeding shih tzus. It usually is much more costly than most realize and extremely time consuming as alot of mothers don't produce enough milk to support their litters and you end up bottle feeding every 2-3 hours around the clock. I
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Pam
Spoiled Rotten Barkery & Kennel
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