Content
- Umbilical hernia in dogs: what is it
- Umbilical hernia in dogs: causes
- Umbilical hernia in dogs: symptoms
- Dog hernia: how to know if my dog has
- How to treat a dog's umbilical hernia
- Umbilical hernia in dogs is small and does not compromise any organ:
- Umbilical hernias in dogs are large, not serious and the pup is older than 6 months:
- Umbilical hernia in dogs is large and compromises your dog's health:
- Umbilical hernia surgery in dogs: recovery
You recently noticed a lump in your dog's belly? A dog can develop what we call a hernia, that is, when an organ or part of an organ leaves the cavity that contains it. In this article by PeritoAnimal, we are going to talk about some lumps that you can find, relatively often, in the abdomen of a dog, whether it is a puppy or an adult.
Precisely because of the number of cases that occur, we will explain what these lumps consist of, why they appear, what consequences they have, and what you can do to solve the problem. Keep reading, let's show you what a umbilical hernia in dogs: causes, symptoms and treatment.
Umbilical hernia in dogs: what is it
As we've already said, if your dog has a bump in his belly, it's most likely a umbilical hernia. A hernia in a dog is caused by the exit of an internal content, such as fat, part of the intestine or even some organ such as the liver or spleen, out of the cavity where it should normally be.
This exit can be produced by an injury or weakness in the wall where there was an opening, such as the navel. Hernias can appear in different places, such as the diaphragm, navel or groin. are usually congenital, that is, they are defects that occur at the time of birth, although they can also be caused by subsequent injuries, mainly by sudden trauma, such as bites or accidents, and in this case they are called herniasacquired.
They can be very different sizes, but they all have in common the fact that they are smooth and soft to the touch. In most cases, if you press in with a finger, you will see that the lump can be inserted. We say these hernias are reducible. On the other hand, in some cases, hernias are not reducible, that is, they are trapped on the outside, protected only by the skin layer. These are called trapped hernias.
When the blood supply of a dog hernia is cut off, it is said to be strangled. Depending on what is strangled, the consequences can be more or less severe. This issue will be important in determining the treatment, since some small hernias can reduce themselves, while others, larger or with compromised organs, will need surgery.
Umbilical hernia in dogs: causes
While puppies develop in their mother's womb, they are connected to her by the umbilical cord, just like with humans. Through it, the puppies receive the necessary nutrients for development. After birth, the bitch cuts the cord with her teeth, leaving a piece that will dry out and, after approximately a week, will fall out.
Inside, the place occupied by the cord also closes. In cases where this closure does not occur completely, the hernia in dogs happens, containing fat, tissue or even some organ. So if your puppy has a bump in his belly, it's likely to be a canine umbilical hernia.
Sometimes these hernias are very small and, when the dog grows, they reduce, that is, they are corrected without the need for any intervention. This happens during the first 6 months of life. On the other hand, if the size of the dog hernia is too large or compromises health, intervention will be required. In animals that are going to be sterilized, if the umbilical hernia is not severe, it can be reduced using surgery.
In conclusion, if you notice a lump in a dog, it is necessary go to the vet to evaluate it. If it is an umbilical hernia, it is necessary to decide whether or not you need surgical intervention. In addition, it is advisable to carry out a complete review if other hernias appear in a dog, as inguinal hernias are also common and, being a genetically based congenital defect, they can appear in other parts of the body.
For the same reason, it is not convenient for these animals to have descendants. If a female dog with an umbilical hernia becomes pregnant and the size of the hernia is too large, the uterus may be introduced through the matrix, causing a serious complication, although this is more common with inguinal hernias (dog hernias that occur in the groin area).
Umbilical hernia in dogs: symptoms
As we have seen, puppies usually produce the hernia at birth and, therefore, are usually diagnosed in the first few months of life.. However, sometimes these hernias in dogs can be caused later by an injury that "breaks" this area and allows the interior to leak through the opening created. This can happen at any age. Also, if you adopt an adult dog, it may have hernias that, due to its neglect or neglect, have not yet been treated.
Dog hernia: how to know if my dog has
If you've ever wondered "my dog has a lump in his rib, what can it be?" And repair a bulge in the middle part of the belly, roughly where the ribs end, this lump is soft to the touch and even enter the body when pressed with a finger, you have an umbilical hernia. A veterinary examination is required, first to ensure it is a hernia and second to determine whether intervention is needed or not. Therefore, it is possible to locate the hernia in a dog with just palpation. After that, your veterinarian can perform an ultrasound to get more information about your range.
How to treat a dog's umbilical hernia
On the Internet you can easily find some home remedies for dog hernia, however, we must emphasize that IT IS NOT INDICATED to blindfold or use any "trick" to try to reduce the hernia. Even in cases where we said surgery is not necessary, if you notice that the nodule has become painful to the touch, reddened, or has suddenly increased in size, it is necessary. go to the vet.
If the veterinarian diagnosed your dog with an umbilical hernia, you will find yourself in one of the following situations:
Umbilical hernia in dogs is small and does not compromise any organ:
If the dog is still a puppy, it is recommended to wait until it is about 6 months old to see if the hernia subsides. Otherwise, it can be operated on for esthetics, or left as it is, performing periodic reviews so that it does not become strangled, as in this case surgery is necessary. These types of hernias in dogs are the most common in puppies and usually contain only fat.
Umbilical hernias in dogs are large, not serious and the pup is older than 6 months:
Surgical intervention is not necessary, except for aesthetic factors, but as in the previous point, the hernia must be examined periodically. It is also possible to operate it if you are spaying your dog, as the same surgery is used.
Umbilical hernia in dogs is large and compromises your dog's health:
In this case, the indication is surgery, in which the veterinarian will open the dog's belly to introduce the protruding material and suture the wall so that it cannot come out again. The operation is more complex if some organ is involved. In these cases, it is a necessary operation, since if there is strangulation, the organ will run out of blood supply, which will cause necrosis, representing a serious risk to your dog's life. Removal of the affected organ may also be necessary.
O price of umbilical hernia surgery in dogs may vary depending on the country, clinic and the particular case. In any case, the expert's assessment is essential, and he will be the one who will give you a budget for the operation.
Umbilical hernia surgery in dogs: recovery
After the operation, your veterinarian can suggest the option of hospitalize the dog, to ensure minimal patient recovery before going home. However, as this is a quick recovery, you can also be discharged on the same day of surgery and offer some advice to promote a good recovery:
- Avoid over-activity and only take short, quiet walks;
- Prevent the dog from licking itself by following these tips to prevent the dog from licking a wound;
- Check regularly that all stitches are still intact;
- Clean the wound with mild soap and water if for any reason it is dirty;
- Offer a high-quality diet and, if he doesn't want to eat, bet on moist foods or pates;
- Provide a relaxed environment using pheromones, relaxing music and a calm attitude;
- Talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of using an Elizabethan collar or dog bodysuit, which will be worn at night to prevent the dog from scratching or licking frequently when away from your supervision.
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.