Doodle with a hernia?

[Nina]

Hi, Has anyone's doodle had a hernia.  I was just rubbing Sadie's tummy and felt a soft movable "lump" (not hard). She arched her back, but didn't yelp.  What should I see/feel?  Thanks.  And, is it a surgery?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If it is in fact a hernia, it would require surgery, but I'm not sure that what you're describing is a hernia...a hernia is "the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it." I don't think it would be all that movable without causing some pain, but I'm not sure.
Dogs get lipomas, benign fatty tumors which are usually harmless, and those are usually soft lumps that are moveable. Jack has one right now at the side of his chest. The vet did a needle aspiration and said just to watch it. If it gets bigger, we will need to remove it, because it could impede his movement. But it isn't life-threatening.
I would have the vet take a look just to be sure, and for your own peace of mind. Hope it's nothing.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Sounds like a fatty tumor to me. But check it out with your vet next time you are in.

[April Cliber]

My guess is that it's an umbilical hernia. They are not painful and are easily fixed. Has she been spayed yet? If not, they can fix it during spay surgery.

[Nina]

Thanks everyone. I slept with Sadie last night and she seems totally fine. I think it is a hernia because it isn't really soft and is near the midline of her stomach. I will make a vet appt on Monday. She's 2 and has been spayed. I wonder how she got the hernia...was at the groomer, doggy daycare and then at the beach w/me. Thanks again.

[F, Calla & Luca]

When did Sadie get spayed? Sometimes dogs can have lumps, usually harder though, for a while after spaying. It probably is an umbilical hernia which results from a weakness in the abdominal wall that is most often congenital. Certain stresses, playing or straining, etc, can enlarge the opening at any time causing the bulge you would feel.

[Nina]

She has a hernia and is getting it fixed on Wednesday.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I hope it goes well and Sadie feels better soon!