I have been researching around and I read the earliest is 14 wks. I took the day off to get it done and I believe I will go through with it but I don't want to make the wrong decisions for her.
I have had very small to very large Herina's on my Basenjis… two of the girls had huge... and I do mean huge ones... never a problem, both whelped with no problems... and then when they were spayed they were fixed then....
The only one that had a big one that I had a problem with and had to have fixed, was a bitch that let puppies (not hers..ggg) try and nurse from her and it ruptured and didn't have a choice... Not a usual situation
In all my years of having Basenjis, I have repaired o9nly ONE umbilical hernia.
It was one that was medically required.
If the hernia appears to change color… going from skin color to dark pink and then purple, it is strangulating the intestinal tissue and the surgery needs to be done immediately.
If this isn't the case, I would wait for a little more mental and physical maturity on the pup before undergoing surgery.
There is not a medical need to do it this early UNLESS there are problems with the hernia.
As many PP have said, the umbilical hernia is very common in the breed.
I have shown many big winners with these hernias and it has never been an issue in the show ring.
After all the question about the breeder. My bf and I have been researching the forums about the breeder we got our dog from. We have read some bad reviews on her. My breeders name is Mary Weiss and if anyone has any information can you please let me know.
Just make sure you order the fanconi swab test for your dog to determine her status as it is not known if your breeder does any health testing as there is no proof of it in the OFA database. https://secure.offa.org/cart.html
Test is a simple swab that you do and mail directly to the lab, cost is $65. You will have the results back within a month or so.
Your pup does seem a little young to be spayed, but if your vet can explain why it should be done so soon, I'm sure he knows. My vet spayed Shaye at 6 months, and repaired the umbilical hernia at the same time - there was no problem with either, and she came home with no ensuing difficulties. I was given five little vials of honey-flavored pain medication, but she showed no discomfort. She didn't need a collar, because she licked at it very rarely and then only a bit at a time. I was worried about the anesthesia situation as b's need less anesthesia than other dogs, and it could become a problem, but my vet was very aware of the situation. Be sure yours is as well. It need not be a scary thing if all your questions are answered by the vet first. + to the testing for Fanconi. We had Shaye tested soon as I learned (from this forum) about it, and were very happy to hear she was clear.
In my opinion unless there is a medical reason 14 weeks is far too young to have a puppy spayed - (I don't believe a vet here would spay that early). As to the umbilical hernia I agree with the previous posts that it may not be necessary at all. Has your vet had experience with Basenjis?
Please get the fanconi test kit. It will tell you what you have to deal with in the future.
We are all here for you, if you get bad results, which I so hope you don't.
Are there any symptoms that stick out?
mary beth weiss is a back yard breeder her adult female annie is ckc not akc and was was purchased from a puppymill
mary beth has not tested for fanconi beyond strip testing (or so she says)
when i contacted her she knew almost nothing about fanconi called it doggie diabetes and said that symptoms didnt show up until a dog was quite old
mary beth weiss does nothing but use these dogs to make money selling puppies then gets rid of them she has had her 3 adults listed on kiji for months at a low price selling them as "breeders"
she will not be taking back any puppies from any buyer as she has a limit of 3 dogs where she live
Shame on her! This type of person gives all quality breeders a bad name!
I looked up the dogs akc numbers and they are both there, and I wouldn't give back my puppy for anything, she is a sweet heart
amen… no matter where your baby came from, just enjoy her. what's done is done.
BaNHANerZzz.
I want to explain to you why I think it important to find a good breeder.
You have a pup you love, and heaven hopes your b will live the long 17 yrs that we
expect our dogs to live.
BUT if you have a breeder who doesn't do the testing, doesn't make sure that the dogs they produce are healthy, then Heavens forbid, when fanconi hits, you can lose them at the age of 6 or so.
I don't see wanting to get a pup from a quality breeder as a status thing, or anything like that, I see it as getting a puppy you can live for years with.
I have had a fanconi basenji. Its awful, not fun and I lost this beloved dog before I should have.
THAT is the only reason I think most of us want everyone to make sure the pups they get are from folks who are not interested in the $$$ but the quality of the dogs they put on the ground.
That being said, please get the cheek swab for your b. All of you, get the cheek swab for your basenji.
It will tell you what to expect in the future.
She is going to the vet on Monday and I will ask the vet to test her. Thank you all for your comments. I am going to talk more with the vet and see what else he recommends.
Most vets will have not idea what you are talking about. You need to order a kit from the OFA site, http://www.offa.org
Go to DNA tests and look for Fanconi. The test costs $65
lvoss is correct - order the fanconi test from Offa.org. I doubt your vet will know anything about it.
…...., and I wouldn't give back my puppy for anything, she is a sweet heart
I agree with you a 100%..most of us, if not all of us, will never want to give the dog up or away for anything..but things happen sometimes in your life that makes that possiblility very true….and when/if that ever happens it is extremely nice to know that your breeder now matter what will take you dog back so he/she will never end up in a shelter .
My BYB-breed basenji ended up biting my 4 yr old child, myself and my husband..when he bit my child the third time we knew something had to happen..we could not live with the fear of our children's or our own safety anymore..the option of calling our "breeder" was a joke..a) because I didn't want Otis back in those conditions again, b) because the phone never got picked up on the "breeders" end..i.e no one was there to support you..he ended up getting rehomed through BRAT..and is thriving now in a childless, single dog home..and has not had any issues of biting again..
I never, never thought I would give my dog up...but things happen where you have no control..
This is only a minor part of why responsible, reputable breeders are what we need to support and seek out..but..
yes I understand your notion of never, ever wanting to give her back or up....
I am rather shocked to hear Brat took a dog with multiple bite issues. I consider it irresponsible, actually. Most rescues will try to work with the family to resolve it with the family, or advise to put down. I do know BRAT now does not take such dogs. When you take a dog you KNOW has bitten, if that dog bites again, your rescue can be sued into the stone age over it. No matter how much most of us see the issue as being bad training or even ABUSE, we can't risk an entire rescue for one dog. So please understand that for most situations, if a dog bites, it's over. You either get professional help, find a home on your own (and also risk liability), or euthanize the dog. Saying the dog is now in a home without children… sorry but almost no human in this country can guarantee a dog will not ever have access... be it neighbors, family, visitors or girl scouts at the door, or the dog get out.
For the rest, it actually is even more than just the health of YOUR own dog and heartbreak. When you buy from someone like that, you enable them to continue doing it. I don't think anyone here expects you to give the dog back, but please give her as hard of time as possible at least. 
Make it cost her as much as you can, if not in money then at least in continued earfuls and complaints.
I am rather shocked to hear Brat took a dog with multiple bite issues. I consider it irresponsible, actually. Most rescues will try to work with the family to resolve it with the family, or advise to put down. I do know BRAT now does not take such dogs. When you take a dog you KNOW has bitten, if that dog bites again, your rescue can be sued into the stone age over it. No matter how much most of us see the issue as being bad training or even ABUSE, we can't risk an entire rescue for one dog. So please understand that for most situations, if a dog bites, it's over. You either get professional help, find a home on your own (and also risk liability), or euthanize the dog. Saying the dog is now in a home without children… sorry but almost no human in this country can guarantee a dog will not ever have access... be it neighbors, family, visitors or girl scouts at the door, or the dog get out.
Well I am here for yor shock value alone then….
BRAT offered to help us rehome Otis due to the fact that he had resource guarding issues..not aggression issues..after talking to them and them knowing they had a perfect fit..they were very helpful in setting up a meeting.
Otis new mommy, is an middle aged lady...whom has had basenjis all her life, her last one was an aggression biter whom she never wanted to put down, since Otis was diagnozed with resource guarding, something that is highly trainable if you are stern, all on the same page with the training etc, etc...after her experiences they knew she would do good by Otis..and YES you can guarantee no children will be in your home..YOU open the door YOU decide.
Not that she had to guarantee anything…
I've also fostered basenjis for BRAT that has bitten..the key is to know why they are biting..not all reasons go across the same grate.
BUT the point was..with a BYB you have no clue what you are buying..health, temperament or socialbility wise.
BRAT does the best job they can for any basenji in need. We didn't get in the rescue business to "kill" b's.
BUT we also can't place dogs who will be dangerous.
Its a fine line…not one that is fun to have to decide.
Lets not BRASH Brat please.
They have saved so many dogs.
