Content
- Inguinal hernia in dogs: what is it
- Inguinal hernia in dogs: how to identify
- Inguinal hernia in bitches
- Inguinal hernia in dogs: diagnosis and treatment
THE inguinal hernia in dogs it is a protrusion that can be seen in the groin area. In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will explain in detail what a hernia consists of, what risk it poses to your dog's health when it is located in the groin and what is the treatment of choice.
We will also explain why they are more dangerous in females and why, in their case, it is more common to have to resort to surgical intervention to repair the hernia. Find out more about the diagnosis and treatment of inguinal hernia in dogs.
Inguinal hernia in dogs: what is it
An inguinal hernia in dogs is a fat or bowel protrusion through an opening in the abdominal wall that should have closed during the puppy's development. They are hereditary, which means that it is likely, when you meet your dog's parents or siblings, that one of them will also have an inguinal or navel hernia.
So there seems to be a genetic predisposition for the delay in abdominal closure, which leads to the appearance of hernias. There are also breeds that seem to be more likely to suffer from them, like English Cocker Spaniel, Pekingese or Border Collie.
Occasionally, hernias will be acquired, that is, the animal is not born with them, but develop after trauma, pregnancy or obesity. Umbilical hernias, as well as inguinal hernias, can trap the intestinal loops, causing obstructions intestinal.
Also, some hernias strangle themselves, what happens when the blood supply to the hernia contents is interrupted by a constriction, in what is known as the neck or hernia ring. In the case of females, who are the most affected by inguinal hernias, the uterus can become trapped in the hernia.
Inguinal hernia in dogs: how to identify
Fat or bowel protrusion from inguinal hernia in dogs can be seen as a bulge of larger or smaller size that you can see or feel. In more severe cases, animals can show symptoms such as vomiting, anorexia, increased urinary frequency, fever, lethargy and pain.
There are different types of hernias in dogs, and we can classify them according to location, in hernias. umbilical, inguinal or perineal, are located, respectively, in the navel, groin or pelvic region. The first two are the most common. They can also be differentiated depending on whether it is possible to reinsert them whether we press them inwards with a finger or not. Thus, there is talk of reducible hernias, if possible, or imprisoned and trapped, if not possible. In the case of the latter, they can strangle themselves.
Therefore, any nodule present in the mentioned areas is likely to be a hernia. Its consistency can be more or less hard and, as we have seen, in some cases it is possible to move it into the dog's body, while others will remain fixed. In these cases of strangulated hernia, if the animal feels pain when palpating, you should immediately go to the vet, as the hernia could be strangling itself. It is an emergency as it can lead to kidney or liver failure with fatal outcome.
Inguinal hernia in bitches
As we've already said, hernias have a hereditary basis, and we should also keep in mind that inguinal hernias in dogs are more frequent in females. This does not mean that it is not possible to find cases of inguinal hernia in dogs males.
As for age, it is sometimes not possible to notice an inguinal hernia in puppies, and only when they reach maturity will it be possible to detect a nodule in the groin region. In fact, it is not uncommon to diagnose an inguinal hernia in older dogs. this aspect it's a risk, since, being a hernia that affects more females, if they are not sterilized, during pregnancy, childbirth or some uterine disease, the uterus itself can get stuck in the hernia.
Inguinal hernia in dogs: diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis is made watching the bulge formed by the hernia. The animal must also pass a general examination to obtain information about its general condition. The veterinarian will need to determine the size of the hernia and the type and amount of content. To obtain this data, the ultrasound is the most suitable.
There are no home remedies to improve or repair a hernia in dogs. The myth is around that they can be solved by covering or putting a coin on them, but these types of remedies are not scientifically based, do not solve the problem and may even be counterproductive.
In view of the risks of an inguinal hernia in dogs, it is recommended to repair them, and this can only be done through surgery. Intervention is indicated in all cases, although in the case of small hernias and in males, it is possible to determine a follow-up and wait, as in many cases these hernias close spontaneously. If not, it is necessary to operate. Keep in mind that more or less controllable factors such as obesity or other events, such as trauma, can cause a small hernia to increase in size and cause more problems.
The surgical technique involves making a abdominal incision to uncover the hernia and reposition the affected organs in place. If any intestinal fragments are damaged, they must be removed and reconnected. Some times its necessary resort to a graft. Success and possible complications will depend on the characteristics of the hernia. In general, the result is good and the dog can resume a normal life.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.