Skip to content

Advice sought asap changes in umbilical hernia, pics attached

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Our 14 month old male basenji Toby has an umbilical hernia that our vet recommended not fixing (perhaps in conjunction with breeder/breeder's vet) unless it presented issues. Last night my children thought it was bleeding. However, on further inspection, his stomach appeared to have a pink scratch extending from his umbilical hernia towards his private parts. Tonight, the hernia looks smaller but but the "line" is much darker and more pronounced. I am wondering whether he should be taken to an emergency vet tonight or tomorrow or whether we should take him to his regular vet on Monday.

    Please respond if you have any helpful advice as soon as possible. Toby is the "baby" of our family and we are very worried and not sure what to do.

    Note: We tragically lost our basenji mix Spicer a little over a year ago to a freak poisoning by a sago palm plant. So, the thought of losing Toby to an unusual occurrence is quite scary and hopefully our worry is not justified.

    Thanks! :(
    attachment_t_5331_0_toby-hernia-3.jpg
    attachment_t_5331_1_toby-sleeping-with-hernia.jpg
    attachment_t_5331_2_toby-hernia2.jpg
    attachment_t_5331_3_umbilical-hernia-with-new-red-line-extending-down-1.5-in.jpg

  • Is he acting painful? I honestly, can't really see anything but if you are that concerned, go ahead and take him. It will make you feel better.

  • I am certainly not a Vet, but I don't really see anything either. The hernia itself would turn purple/blackish if there was a problem, at least the one time we had a problem that is what happened and it was because pups were trying to "nurse" from the hernia when Mickii was being "foster" Mom to Maggii's pups.

    The red line looks more like the beginning of a yeast infection

  • It is hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like the type of discoloring that is common when they are licking themselves repeatedly in the same area. The umbilical hernia doesn't look like it is affected or has anything going on. I would think more along skin irritation, contact allergy, or something along those lines. Probably worth making an appointment and having it checked out so it doesn't turn into something like a skin infection and to rule out anything more serious.

    Have you gently cleaned the area?

Suggested Topics

  • Spaying and Hernia Fixing Question

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    8k Views
    LindaHL
    I, too, would have the umbilical hernia fixed when she is spayed. In fact, that's exactly what we did when Blaze was neutered last month at 6 months of age (we are not going to do any sports activities with him such as lure coursing, so waiting until his growth plates were closed wasn't a concern).
  • Spaying and personality changes?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    WalterW
    Scarlett is a very sweet B, but she also a typical b as well…very ornery!
  • Need help/advice…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    2k Views
    QuercusQ
    @Marie: One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet and which is recommended when treating giardia is to bathe the dog. This is because the giardia cysts can adhere to the hair around the hind end of the dog who then can re-infect himself by grooming. More of a factor in a long haired dog, obviously, but if it were me I'd be giving Oakley a few baths just to be on the safe side. (I'm sure he'll thank me for this suggestion! :eek:) Oooooo, I didn't know that! That is a great bit of info!
  • 0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I don't see how just gas is the issue, is the vet sure? In general you can give gas X… but I would be afraid to give this dog anything until a thorough workup. Bloat is related to gas that gets trapped. Please get this dog to a specialist if this happens again.
  • Fanconi and personality change?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    5k Views
    khanisK
    I am sorry to hear of your dog's possible Fanconi Affected status. I agree completely with Terry about waiting on the thyroid panel until he is stabilized on the protocol… and making sure if he does have a UTI, getting that under control as well. When you join the Fanconi list, be prepared that you will get tons of information, some of it conflicting. You will need to sort out what is best for your dog and you and his health. Do the protocol and hope for the best. Some dogs do very very well on it. Some do NOT tolerate it at all. I have two littermate boys with Fanconi, the one on the protocol was sick from day 1 and his body hated the protocol. His brother was sick on it, so we came to the conclusion that a better diet could make him feel better... and it did. He lived 4 years after diagnosis whereas the one sick on the protocol lasted about 2 years. Each dog is different. I lost my old Benny to Fanconi last fall and it was the most devastating thing I have been through in my life... I have helped my dog owners with their affected dogs and will continue to do so with the last few that have Fanconi Syndrome. If you ever want to ask me some questions, feel free to PM or email me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Belly rubs to the boy for me and one from Benny's kindred spirit.
  • 0 Votes
    31 Posts
    17k Views
    tanzaT
    @Tayda_Lenny: Well the dog park that we go to just made it against the rules to have unneutered dogs in the park. Sad, but I can understand… it is a very popular park and there have been a few incidents recently where some dogs have gotten hurt. Its obviously not ONLY cause they are unneutered, but I'm sure it doesn't help things. Lenny is not the main offender (but he is definitely not innocent either). I just sent his breeder an email saying that I really think that I should have him neutered at this point. We live in a really small apartment and its just not fair to have him cooped up in here without anywhere to run. He's leash aggressive and I normally don't walk them too much around my apartment.... we go to the dog park 4 times a week or so so they can run. He and Tayda have made a bunch of doggie friends at the park (and I've made some human ones) and I just don't think its fair to keep him intact for something that doesn't seem too likely to happen (her finding someone to show him out here that is close enough to me to not make it a HUGE inconvenience for everyone) at the expense of him having fun and socializing w/ other dogs and getting much needed exercise... I said we could arrange to have him collected if she wanted.... I hope she's not mad.... it's not how we planned it to be, but it is what it is..... sigh... My personal opinion, as a breeder is this… the happiness of the dog and the owner is the most important thing... if a breeder thought that the dog was that important to their breeding program... they should have kept them... period... when place... the most important thing is the home... not showing, not breeding, ot anything... but the home... I hope that all works out for you and you can get him neutered.... and enjoy him as a pet and family member.. again that is the most important thing!!! NO question... And in the end.. he is your dog.. you are the owner... it is really your choice to decide the best for you family/lifestyle... I hope that his breeder is one that sees this... and knows that he is in the best of homes... period!!!