Puppy with Health Problems

by Janet

I bought an 8 week old puppy, I went to vet check with the breeder at her vets. He passed his health check.

At 12 weeks old when I let the puppy off the lead it ran, screamed and limped, I always thought it had a slipped patella, so I kept him on a lead in the park.

The puppy also had a small tiny lump at the umbilical area, but because I had never seen a hernia before I was not concerned.

He only had one testicle until he was 8 months old, when the second one appeared. The vet spend 10 minutes trying to find the 2nd testicle when he was 12 weeks old, and he said he found it. I am an experienced breeder and I could not find it nor could a breeder friend.

At 8 months old when the 2nd testicle appeared so did the umbilical hernia. Is there any connection?

The day before his operation the breeder telephoned her vets and he told her the hernia was probably caused by constipation. My dogs are never constipated.

After the operation I was told the hernia was much worse than expected, and had been repaired with material that would disappear in 3 months time. I was told, when he was opened up ,that a much large hernia was about to break through.

When I went for the post operative check-up I was told he had two slipped patellas.

My question is, should the umbilical hernia and the slipped patellas of been picked up at the 8 week health check?
Any help greatly appreciated
Thank you



Hi Janet
Well, I'm a breeder and have raised several litters, but I don't have any veterinary qualifications as such. So, any opinions I can give will be just that - personal opinion.

Having said that, here's my take on it....


There are two different types of hernias, and most hernias are not true 'hernias' at all but rather 'incomplete closures'. This means that the abdominal wall didn't close properly before birth, but more often than not it will close of it's own accord given time.

True hernias usually involve malformation of the abdomen and even chest cavity etc., and is a serious health issue. This kind of hernia can have a hereditary component.

I can't really say whether or not the veterinarian should have picked up the hernia at 8 weeks old or not. If there was a weak spot in the abdomen he may have been able to feel it, but I can't say for sure. I've never heard of a connection between the testicles dropping and a hernia appearing, it may be totally coincidental. 8 months is a long time to wait for both testicles to drop, but not unheard of.


The small lump you mention at the umbilical area was most likely an 'incomplete closure'-type hernia. I would have expected either the breeder or veterinarian to mention this at 8 weeks old if it was visible then. Although they're generally nothing to worry about, I would never sell a puppy with a hernia without making sure the new owner was aware of it, and also knew what to look for in terms of complications.

As for the slipped patellas, some breeds are very predisposed to this condition, and it's advisable to buy a puppy whose parents have been screened and found free of this problem. I can't really say whether it should have been found at the 8 week check, as unless the puppy was symptomatic at that point it could be missed. Although, I would have expected the vet to check for it.

As you know, jumping from any kind of height, too much running etc. can caused problems with growing joints, but as an experienced breeder I'm pretty sure you protected your pup from this.

If the breeder you bought your pup from gave you a health guarantee, from what you say I would guess that this pup should probably be a candidate for replacement. Contracts/guarantees can vary a lot though and even if you have one, you may have trouble getting it honored.

Of course, now you're in love with your puppy and he's a part of the family, returning him is probably not an option but it does seem that you may have purchased a puppy who was not 100% healthy. Costs for veterinary care resulting from any health conditions that he had prior to you getting him (the incomplete closure) that were not disclosed could be cause for negotiation.

I hope that your little guy is well now and that his health issues are resolved. Best of luck with him.

!