Have you recently noticed a lump in your dog's belly? A dog can develop what is known as a hernia, that is, when an organ or part of an organ comes out of the cavity that contains it. In this article on our site we are going to talk about some lumps that we can find, with relative frequency, in the abdomen of our dog, whether puppy or adult
Precisely because of the number of cases that occur, we are going to explain what these lumps consist of, why they appear, what consequences they have and what we must do to solve them. Below we will show you what an umbilical hernia in dogs is, along with its causes, symptoms and treatment:
What is an umbilical hernia in dogs?
As we have said, if our dog has a lump in his belly, it is most likely an umbilical hernia A hernia it is the exit to the outside of internal content such as fat, part of the intestine or even an organ such as the liver or spleen, outside the cavity in which it should normally be found.
This exit occurs through an injury or weakness in the wall where an opening was previously found, such as the navel. Hernias can appear in different places, such as in the diaphragm, the navel or the groin. They are usually congenital, that is, they are defects that are present at birth, although they can also be caused by subsequent injuries, especially sudden trauma, such as a bite or an accident. They would be the so-called acquired hernias
They can be of very different sizes, but they have in common that they are smooth lumps, soft to the touch. In most cases, if we press inward with a finger, we will see that the lump can be inserted. We say that these hernias are reducible On the other hand, in some cases the hernias are not reduced, that is, they remain trapped on the outside, only protected by the layer of skin. They are called incarcerated hernias
When the blood supply to the hernia is cut off, it is said to be strangulated Depending on what is strangulated, the consequences may be more or less serious. This aspect will be important when determining management, since some small hernias will reduce on their own while others, larger or with organ involvement, will require surgery. We will talk, next, about the hernias that concern us, the umbilical ones.
Causes of umbilical hernia in dogs
The puppies that develop in her mother's womb will be connected to her through the umbilical cord, such and how it happens in humans. Through it, the puppies receive the necessary nutrients for their formation. After the birth, the bitch will cut the cord with her teeth, leaving a piece that will dry and, in about a week, will fall off.
Inside, the place occupied by the cord is also closed. In cases in which this closure is not complete a hernia occurs, introducing fat, tissue or even an organ. So if your pup has a lump in its belly, it's likely a hernia of this type.
Sometimes they are very small in size and, as the dog grows, they reduce on their own, that is, they correct themselves without any to perform any intervention. This happens during the first 6 months of life. On the other hand, if the size of the hernia is very large or compromises the he alth of our dog, an intervention will be necessary. In animals that are going to be sterilized, if the hernia is not serious, it can be reduced taking advantage of this surgery.
In conclusion, if our dog has a lump in his belly we should go to our vet to have it assessed. If it is a hernia, it must be decided whether or not it requires intervention. In addition, a complete check-up of the dog is recommended in case other hernias appear, since inguinal hernias are also common and, being a congenital defect with a genetic basis, they can occur in other parts of the body.
For this same reason it is not convenient for these animals to have offspring. If a bitch with an umbilical hernia becomes pregnant and the size of this hernia is very large, the womb could even enter through it, constituting a serious complication, although this is more common in inguinal hernias.
Symptoms of an umbilical hernia in dogs
As we have seen, puppies generally herniate at birth and, therefore, They are usually diagnosed during the first months of life But Sometimes, these hernias can be produced later by an injury that "breaks" that area and allows the interior to protrude from the opening created. This can happen at any age. Also, if we adopt an adult dog, it may present hernias that, due to their state of abandonment or neglect, have not been treated previously.
How do I know if my dog has a hernia?
If our dog has a lump in his belly in the middle area, more or less where the ribs end and this issoft to the touch and even allows to enter into the body if we press with a finger, we are going to be faced with an umbilical hernia that will require a veterinary examination, first to ensure that it is a hernia and, second, to determine whether or not it requires intervention. Therefore, only with palpation can we locate the hernia. Afterward, the vet may perform an ultrasound to learn more about its extent.
Treatment for an umbilical hernia in dogs
On the internet you will easily find certain home remedies for hernias in dogs, however, we must point out that it is not indicated to bandage or carry out any "trick"to try to reduce the hernia. Even in the cases in which we have indicated that surgery is not necessary, if we observe that the lump becomes painful on palpation, reddens or suddenly increases in size, we should go to the vet
If our veterinary has diagnosed our dog with an umbilical hernia, we will find ourselves in the following situations:
- The hernia is small and does not compromise any organ: if it is a puppy, it is indicated to wait until he is about 6 months to see if she shrinks on her own. Otherwise, it can be operated on, for aesthetic reasons, or left as is, checking it periodically in case it becomes strangulated and, then, yes, it would require surgery. These types of hernias are the most common in puppies and usually contain only fat.
- The hernia is large, not serious and the puppy is over 6 months old: no intervention would be necessary, except for aesthetic factors, but yes, as in the previous point, it must be reviewed periodically. Yes, we can operate it if we are going to sterilize our dog, since the same intervention is used.
- The hernia is large and compromises our dog's he alth: the indication is surgery in which the veterinarian will open to introduce the protruded material and sutures the wall so that it cannot come out again. The operation will be more complex if an organ is involved. In these cases, it is a necessary operation since, if strangulation occurs, the organ will be left without blood supply, which will cause necrosis, posing a serious risk to the life of our dog. Removal of the affected organ may also be required.
The price of the umbilical hernia operation in dogs may vary depending on the country, the clinic and the specific case, it does not However, we would place its price in Spain between €170 and €300. In any case, the evaluation of the specialist is essential and it will be he who makes us a budget for the operation.
Recovery from umbilical hernia surgery in dogs
After the operation, our veterinarian may suggest the option of hospitalize the dog, in order to ensure a minimum recovery for the patient before you go home. However, since it is a quick recovery, you can also discharge us the same day and recommend some tips to promote a good recovery:
- Avoid excessive activity and take short, quiet walks.
- Prevent licking by following these 5 tips to prevent your dog from licking a wound.
- Check regularly that all points are still intact.
- Clean the wound if it gets dirty for any reason with water and neutral soap.
- Offer him a high-quality diet and if he doesn't want to eat, bet on wet food or pâté.
- Promotes a relaxed environment through pheromones, relaxing music and a calm attitude.
- Consult your veterinarian about the option of receiving an Elizabethan collar or bodysuit for dogs that you can wear at night if he scratches or licks himself frequently, away from your supervision.
