perineal hernia

[coolkel]

My Boxer was diagnosed with a perineal hernia.  I cannot afford surgery.  Is there anything I can do to help him?  Any special foods?  How quickly will it progress without surgery?  I love my boy & don't want to lose him, but I don't want him to suffer either.  Please help.  Any info is appeciated.

[susiq49]

Yes, pumpkin is very good for your dogs digestion as it is high in fiber.  I have a 14 1/2 year old ****-tzu boy named Binger.  Three years ago he was diagnosed with a heart condition and not expected to live 6 months.  I started making my own dog food at my vets suggestion and from what I read on the internet.  He is also on heart medication daily.  His heart condition now is normal.  Unfortunately 2 1/2 years ago he developed a perineal hernia.  He has had two surgeries.  The hernia has unfortunately reoccurred. Unfortunately the vets are unsure of another operation because of his age.  The food that I make for all my dogs now consists of ground meat, lots of finely shredded carrots, pumpkin, egg whites, organic rice and I add Metamucil for additional fiber.  This diet has helped save my dogs life.  I am still considering a third surgery and perhaps just pray for the best.  Most days Binger gobbles up his food and still plays like a puppy.

[CatCee]

why are you reluctant to type shih-tzu?

[CatCee]

why are you afraid to type shih-tzu?

[CatCee]

Sorry about the double post

[Amber98]

I know this is old, but my 9 year old beagle was diagnosed yesterday with a pernial hernia, making it difficult for him to deficate. He also is being treated for re-accuring anal gland abcess and enlarged prostate. I believe this is all due to the fact that he's not nutured. But my vet said the hernia could be a side effect of the constant anal gland problems.

My vet is the opposite, he doesn't recommend surgury. Instead he thinks the tissue will break and disolve itself, as long as we keep his stool soft.

Now I'm confused. I read on this site that anal glands dont express themselves when poop is too soft. That's why i switched my dog from science diet to wellness core. It has lots of protein, his poop is firmer now and he seems healthier. But now I'm worried it'll make the hernia worse. The vet said, keep him on the food that leaves his poop soft.

What should I do???

I want to just do the surjury and get him nutured at the same time, i dont know why my vet wants to avoid it.

[deadgamegrrl]

Thans for the warning.  We don't use it much anymore.  My problem now is not the act of pooping, its that she always steps in it :-).

[shadowsmom03]

Be careful with the pumpkin. My dog Shadow just had his surgery for his perineal hernia about a month ago and is doing so well. I was told that pumpkin was ok but he started to have a slight problem pooping so I cut it out and he is fine again. Pumpkin at time can make them gassy and can bind them up. I give him sweet potatoes and rice mixed in with his dry dog food and it keeps him soft so he can poop a lot better now.

[deadgamegrrl]

Canned pumpkin is often recommended as a natural stool softener.  My Pumpkin (capital P) got pumpkin (little p) when she started having anal gland impactions that we thought we due to her severe arthritis, since it was only ever one anal gland on the same side. The theory was it would make it easier for her to poop and clear the gland out fully.
lachappy - good luck at the vet.  I hope your old boy will be ok!

[lindapalm]

Good luck at the vet tomorrow, let us know how you made out.  What was the pumpkin pie filling supposed to do to help?