Cats can occasionally develop a herniated navel if the umbilical cord does not close properly, allowing pathogens and even organs and abdominal fat to pass through, forming a hernia sac. There may or may not be clinical signs, but in all cases cats will present a bulge in the navel area, more or less large depending on the content of the hernia and its severity.
Large and strangulated hernias, in which the blood supply to the herniated organs is compromised, can lead to severe symptoms in cats and require urgent reduction to preserve he alth of the little cat. Continue reading this article on our site to learn more about umbilical hernia in cats, its causes, types, symptoms and treatment.
What is an umbilical hernia in cats?
Cats, like other mammals, have a navel, although it is very difficult to see, especially in cats with long or thick hair. The navel is the scar left on the abdomen when the umbilical cord that joins the fetus to the placenta during gestation and from which it obtains nutrients and oxygen is broken.
Once the kitten is born, the umbilical cord is no longer useful, since it must breathe on its own and obtain milk from its mother together with its siblings. Generally, the cat cuts the umbilical cord and, with it, the blood vessels break and immediately close to prevent the entry of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, which would harm the kitten's he alth.
The problem is that the umbilical cord may not close properly, allowing the passage of these pathogens and the formation of a hernia umbilical in baby cats, if contents of the abdomen escape through said opening. The umbilical hernia in cats has three parts:
- Hernial portal: between the internal and external abdominal layer.
- Hernial sac: protrusion with the appearance of a bag that has contents inside.
- Hernial content: what constitutes the hernia itself, contained in the hernial sac. If the space in the inner layer of the abdominal wall is large enough, it can trap a piece of intestine, interrupting blood circulation.
Sometimes, umbilical hernias are associated with congenital inguinal hernias, which occur due to a defect in the inguinal rings where they pass, in addition to vessels and nerves, the round ligament of the uterus in cats and the spermatic cord in cats.
Types of umbilical hernia in cats
Umbilical hernias in cats, therefore, appear at birth, when the opening does not close or takes time to do so, connecting the abdominal wall with the abdominal cavity. It is through this hole that the viscera herniate, such as fat, omentum or loops of the small intestine. The umbilical hernia can be:
- Open umbilical hernia: when the ring is open and with the finger the herniated content can be reintroduced into the abdomen, disappearing the hernia until we stop pressing.
- Closed umbilical hernia: when the ring closes and the contents cannot be reintroduced.
- Strangled umbilical hernia: when the herniated content was part of the intestinal loop and the ring was subsequently closed. Blood circulation is compromised, causing strangulation.
Causes of umbilical hernia in cats
Generally, umbilical hernias in cats have a hereditary tendency and a congenital character, since they are animals that have a weak connective tissue that is already present from birth. It seems that there is a genetic basis in which several genes are involved, since there are studies that have observed a high incidence of umbilical hernias in some families of cats of a particular race.
In a smaller percentage of cases, the causes of umbilical hernias are trauma such as falls, blows or fights, as well as nutritional metabolic disorders or pregnancy.
Umbilical hernia symptoms in cats
Umbilical hernias can be seen with a bulge in the area of the navel of newborn kittens that generally have no symptoms, since some abdominal fat is herniated. The size varies depending on the herniated content and the amount. In baby cats these hernias can grow over time.
However, depending on the size and structures affected, the umbilical hernia may be more or less serious. Strangulated hernias are life threatening to the cat and clinical signs such as the following: may be observed
- Abdominal pain.
- Frequent urination.
- Vomiting.
- Lethargy.
- Anorexy.
- Inappetence.
- Constipation.
Treatment for umbilical hernia in cats
The solution to umbilical hernias in cats Usually is a surgical operation, especially in those urgent cases due to strangulation in which the hernia has grown a lot suddenly and in those that give clinical signs.
In small hernias without symptoms, observation and follow-up is enough so that the abdominal organs are not compromised. On the other hand, in baby cats with non-symptomatic or strangulated umbilical hernia, it is possible to wait until the age of sterilization to correct the hernia and sterilize in the same operation.
Umbilical hernia operation in cats
The operation for hernias in cats consists of the reintroduction of the herniated content into the abdominal cavity of the feline and the closure of the opening to prevent its exit again. The cat will need to be put under a general anesthetic so that it does not feel pain or be aware of the procedure.
Before opening the area, it is prepared aseptically. Next, the surgeon incises the skin around the oval of the hernia defect and dissects the subcutaneous tissue to find the edges of the hernia ring. Once found, adhesions, if any, should be dissected and proceed to dissection of the hernial ring.
If there is ischemic content due to the strangulation, it should be removed by making the appropriate ligatures and sutures. In the case of reducible hernias, the content is reintroduced into the abdomen without the need for ligatures. Finally, the defect and the abdominal wall are closed.
