We won’t deal with those maladies that affect puppies as well as older dogs, eg parvovirus, canine distemper, leptospirosis, etc. Let’s concentrate on ailments that tend to strike only the young dog before weaning.
Hernias
Any time there is a protrusion of an organ (or a part of an organ) into or through the wall of the cavity which contains the organ, we speak of a hernia. Actually, our Guyanese vernacular refers to hernias as ‘ruptures.’ Furthermore, whenever we speak of a hernia in puppies/children, we tend to mean an umbilical (navel) hernia – even though there are also inguinal/scrotal hernias, etc.
A very important distinction has to be made about hernias according to the condition of the protruding structures. For example, there is a reducible hernia which can be so easily and freely manipulated, that the content may be pushed back into the cavity whence it came. Of course, as soon as you take away your finger(s), the protrusion recurs. On the other hand, an irreducible hernia is where the protruding material cannot be pushed back into the cavity. Perhaps the content is stuck to its surrounding tissue in the pouch, or perhaps such a swelling emerged because the content of the bulge is locked off so that it can’t budge from the sac which was created by the protrusion. The protruding organ becomes incarcerated in the hernia sac. In fact (as is often the case), the space (that is left by the organs moving into the protruded pouch) is quickly filled by fatty (or other) tissue, thus preventing the protruding mass from returning to its original place. If parts of the intestines are so imprisoned then the passage of food through the gut will be impeded, even obstructed. A strangulated hernia is, by far, the worst case scenario, because it represents a serious danger to the life of the puppy. Also, in this case, the blood circulation is cut off. If surgery is not immediately performed the bowel will become gangrenous and death will ensue.
Actually the real danger about hernias is that they start off being simple, and then develop into the incarcerated and later the strangulated forms.
Generally speaking, there are two main factors causing hernias. Firstly, the enclosing wall (eg the tissues/structures enclosing the organs in the abdomen) has a defect either acquired through trauma or congenitally (ie genetically). Secondly, associated with a hernia could be a sudden or constant increase in pressure within the abdominal cavity. Just for education’s sake, we will mention and discuss briefly some other hernias which are relatively rare: The femoral hernia, the perineal hernia, the vertical hernia and the diaphragmatic hernia. These occur mostly in adult dogs.
Femoral hernia
These occur mostly (only) in dogs, whose owners force them to perform unnatural acts, like walking on their hind legs for long periods of time. The vertical position of the body creates an unusual strain upon the muscles and other tissues at the fold of the thigh. These tissues eventually give way under the pressure, thus creating a hernia.
Perineal hernia
I have only seen this problem in dogs, never cats. This type of hernia is usually associated with straining at defecation due to constipation or diarrhoea. Even coughing (which creates an increase in pressure within the abdomen) could precipitate a perineal hernia. I should mention that I have mostly seen this perineal hernia in old male dogs – especially those that have had an active sex life and which are suffering from enlarged prostate glands.
Vertical hernia
This is almost always the outcome of an injury to the muscles of the abdominal wall. The injury is usually a mechanical trauma (a fancy term for a lash with a stick, or a vicious kick) which damages the muscles of the abdomen. The skin might not even be broken, but the muscles below the skin are torn.
Hernia of the diaphragm
Dogs and cats exhibit this type of hernia from time to time (seldomly). It often is the result of the animal jumping from great heights. This action causes the entire weight of the abdominal contents to fall on the diaphragm (the flat muscle which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity). The diaphragm ruptures. Actually, I have had one case in which the dog was hit with a stick which broke some ribs resulting in a tear on that portion of the diaphragm to which the rib was attached.
Next week, we will deal in more detail with the more common types of hernia, viz, the umbilical hernia and the inguinal hernia.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
