Q: Shih Tzu with a hernia

Answered by susanr729 on 9/21/2005, 11:27 am

Q: Shih Tzu with a hernia

> > I have a 5 month old Shih Tzu that has a hernia and his
> > heart and liver are in the hernia sac. He has very little
> > lung capacity and has to take a lot of small little
> breaths.
> > He has been to a vet and to a cardiologist. What are your
> > thoughts on this. His chances, what to expect, what are
> the
> > best odds? I am trying to make the best decision for him.
> > Thanks
> > Susan
> >
>
> ..................................
>
> Susan, this is such a unique sort of hernia, so extensive,
> that probably only 1 to 3 are seen in a high numbers breed
> like yours in a year in this country (US) This means that
> only the vets who have examined her and those with
> experience with this surgery could venture a reasonably
> accurate estimate of her prospects for surgical repair. I'm
> afraid that survival prospects without repair are gloomy,
> but, again, I hesitate to make predictions for time and what
> he'd go through in that period... his quality of life, which
> is already limited. The only suggestion that I can make is
> that if at all possible, a general and thoracic surgery vet
> specialist should do the repair surgery, and probably at
> vet teaching hospital with intensive care capability and
> specially trained and experienced ''nursing'' staff of
> technicians... probably at a vet school or a large teaching
> hospital such as Angell in Boston.
>
> I have to be frank and tell you that many breeders would
> have had this little tiger euthanized right after birth, or
> discovery of the extent of major organ involvement, rather
> than try to keep him alive and well, risk surgical repair,
> and then see if he would have good quality of life after
> surgery. Some would have fought tooth and nail to keep him
> going and growing....
>
> There is no right or wrong decision here. Always keep his
> quality of life as your focus... and if it will be poor,
> then do consider loving him enough to release him from his
> very limited life style, and the heavy burden of continuing
> to live. You have my thoughts with you as you work through
> this tough set of decisions.... and a bunch of hugs to use
> when you need them most.
>