What is Umbilical Hernia?
In the case of an umbilical hernia, there is an opening in the muscle wall at the dog’s navel potentially allowing contents of the dog’s abdomen to protrude. Although not the sole cause, umbilical hernias are genetic conditions and are most commonly found in the Airedale Terrier, Pekinese, Maltese and Basenji breeds.
An umbilical hernia is a protrusion of the abdominal lining, abdominal fat, or abdominal organs through the area around the umbilicus (navel). This condition is caused by failure of the umbilical ring to close after birth.
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Symptoms of Umbilical Hernia in Dogs
The most remarkable symptom of an umbilical hernia is the protrusion itself, which appears as swelling beneath the dog’s navel and can protrude further during certain activities such as standing, barking or straining. Further symptoms include:
- Noticeable pain
- Warmth at the swollen site
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Malaise or depression
Types
Reducible
Typically smaller in size, a reducible umbilical hernia is one in which the protrusion may be pushed back into the abdomen by a veterinarian. In this case, the protrusion is often limited to abdominal lining or fat. Typically the only symptom seen in these cases is the swelling of the site itself.
Irreducible
Typically larger in size, an irreducible umbilical hernia is generally larger and firmed. Sometimes, part of one or more abdominal organs or the intestines are present within the hernia. In these cases, the organ(s) involved may become entrapped and their function compromised. In severe cases, an organ may become strangulated, meaning blood flow is completely cut off resulting in the death of tissue. A dog with an irreducible hernia which involves organs typically exhibits more of the additional symptoms beyond the swelling of the site itself.
Causes of Umbilical Hernia in Dogs
Before birth, all dogs have an opening called an umbilical ring around their navels that allows the umbilical blood vessels to transmit nourishment to the fetus. In healthy dogs, this opening closes on its own after birth. The exact reason that the umbilical ring fails to close in some dogs is unknown. The prevalence of umbilical hernias in certain breeds and certain family lines indicates a genetic predisposition to the condition that can be passed on through generations.
Diagnosis of Umbilical Hernia in Dogs
The veterinarian typically diagnoses umbilical hernias easily upon feeling the protrusion. In irreducible umbilical hernias, x-rays and/or ultrasounds are required in order to determine if any abdominal organs are entrapped, and the severity of the entrapment.
Treatment of Umbilical Hernia in Dogs
Very small hernias (less than ¼ inch) in puppies under six months of age may be left to close on their own. Untreated hernias in young puppies typically close before six months. If your dog is outside of this age range, surgery may be required to close a small, reducible hernia and will likely be required in the case of an irreducible hernia. During surgery, the scar tissue that has formed around the hernia are removed, any organs that have become entrapped are returned to their proper place, and the opening in the muscle is closed with sutures. The only risks to this surgery are the general risks of anesthesia and surgery, such as bleeding and infection. Often, when caught early, umbilical hernia surgery is paired with spaying or castration.
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Recovery of Umbilical Hernia in Dogs
If your treatment does not involve surgery, it’s important to keep an eye on the hernia site for changes. If you have a puppy under the age of six months, watch the site to see if it closes by the six-month mark. If not, consult the veterinarian. If you have an older dog and the veterinarian did not recommend surgery because of the small size of the hernia, monitor the site for any changes or issues, and seek veterinary attention if anything develops.
If your dog underwent umbilical hernia surgery, carefully follow the veterinarian’s follow up instructions to ensure full recovery. Give your pet time and space to rest, and closely monitor him for adverse reactions (beyond the typical behavior the veterinarian predicts, such as sleepiness, lack of coordination, coughing or crying in the first few days).
Check the incision site daily for drainage and redness, as they are signs of infection and you will need to see the veterinarian as soon as possible. If the incision doesn’t appear to be holding, or if any fat or intestinal material protrudes through the incision, seek attention immediately. During the first few days after surgery, feed carefully. Withhold food for a day if your dog vomits. Your dog’s appetite will normalize in a few days. Limit your dog’s physical activity for ten days in order to ensure proper healing. Take your dog outside on a leash to relieve itself, and do not let her run, jump or play.
Umbilical Hernia Average Cost
From 36 quotes ranging from $800 - $2,500
Average Cost
$1,200
Top
Umbilical Hernia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Chihuahua
Rafael
2 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
My dog just had surgery for 2 hernias last tuesday and now he has a bump the size of a lemon. The vet says its inflammation but it looks like a ball so im worried that its something else. Do you think its really inflamed or something else? Wish it could add a picture.
May 30, 2018
2 Recommendations
A picture isn’t really useful since I can think of a mass the size of a lemon, but it is important to be able to palpate the mass to determine if it is due to a recurrence of the hernia, haematoma, fat or another cause. I wouldn’t imagine inflammation being that bad, but I haven’t physically examined it myself; if you have concerns regarding the advice given to you by your Veterinarian, you should visit another for a second opinion. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 31, 2018
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Double Doodle
Mila
8 Weeks
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Fatty Tissue
I just brought home yesterday 5-19-18 my double doodle (doodlelitters.com) and at night while playing with her I felt a lump which at first without flipping her over I thought it might have been the vagina. But also was curious because it was more towards the middle than the back. It seems to me like she has an umbilical hernia of fatty tissue. Unbothered when I check it out (touch, light push, light squeeze). Today is Sunday, I was going to call the breeder see what they said, should I try to push it in myself? She’s only 8 weeks old.
Feels and looks like a tiny water ballon
May 20, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Mila may have an umbilical hernia, as those are not uncommon in puppies. If it is small and does not bother her, it would be best to leave it alone and have your veterinarian look at it to make sure that is what it is. If it is reducible, and the contents can be pushed back inside, we recommend fixing those, usually at the time of her spay. If it is not reducible, you may not need to worry about it. I hope that all goes well for her!
May 20, 2018
Thank you it’s about a dime size on a 10 pound or so puppy. I’ll go get it checked out ASAP. Thank you for the quick response on a Sunday.
May 20, 2018
Mila's Owner
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Mini Poodle
Max
8 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
When we first got our puppy at 8 weeks and took him to the vet, we were told he had an umbilical hernia. He is now 8 /12 months old and we want to get him neutered and have the hernia fixed. The vet said the hernia has repaired itself, but we can feel a bump there and thought it was the hernia. After reading some of the other posts on this site, I'm wondering if it could be fat that we're feeling. We're planning to have our puppy neutered at a less expensive clinic than his normal vet, but if he still needs to have hernia surgery, we will get both surgeries done by his vet. If the hernia is still there, would it feel like a bump? Any advice?
May 14, 2018
0 Recommendations
Umbilical hernias may self resolve within the first six months or so of life; without examining Max I cannot say whether you are feeling a hernia, fat, other tissue or anything else. I would follow the lead from your Veterinarian and say that the hernia has resolved itself, but I cannot say with any certainty without examining him. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 15, 2018
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Coton de Tulear
Ace
10 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
No Symptoms
I have a 10 month older Coton de Tulear puppy. We got him at 11 weeks from a breeder who has bred this breed for almost 30 years. When we rec'd the vet/vaccine paperwork from the breeder (emailed to us) we learned that our puppy has/had an umbilical hernia. I took to my vet and he said to keep an eye on it but that it can wait until he is neutered. So now he's 10 months old and I took him in for bordatella nose vaccine and his neuter and hernia repair is next week. Dr. said they can't repair it. It's not reducible. And that the risk of the more invasive surgery to repair the hernia would not be worth it in their opinion. I spoke with the breeder who said she has had some puppies have it repaired and others it didn't need to. The vet said his (our puppy) hernia is has adhesions and fat around it. They didn't think the intestines could come through. I pushed on the hernia and it does not go into his belly. It doesn't seem painful either. But it's not tiny. The size is almost 1/2 inch wide x about 3/4inch long. So my questions are: 1. When people say "closed on it's own" does that mean that there's no fat/tissue/anything raised up or can it be closed/healed and still look like a protruding hernia/skin? 2. Is it necessary to do surgery on all hernias reducible and non-reducible? If so, how invasive is a non-reducible hernia? Additionally, if we do as suggested by the one vet/dr and the breeder to just leave it, what could happen to him in the future? He is scheduled for his neutering and if we are in need of the hernia repair, I need to find a different vet who can do both so that I don't have to put him under twice. He is, after all, my baby. Thank you for your help and advice.
April 11, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
If Ace's hernia is 'non-reducible', where it is a fat pocket that is sitting outside of his body and there is no open spot in his midlline, he can live quite happily his entire life without that causing any problems. The surgery to get rid of that is not risky, necessarily, but is also not necessary. If it is truly non-reducible, you genuinely do not worry about the hernia.
April 12, 2018
Thank you so much Dr. King. We had an appt to have his hernia repaired next week at the same time as his neuter. But when I took him in to get his bordatella vaccine, the doctor said they couldn't do it. And explained it was not reducible and said not worth the risk because it's more invasive then if it can be pushed in and reduced (if I understood it correctly). So I looked online and found your website and this great information. Thank you for confirming this! I feel much better. So he will just get neutered next week. Thank you again for your time and the information - really appreciate it!!!
April 12, 2018
Ace's Owner
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Umbilical Hernia Average Cost
From 36 quotes ranging from $800 - $2,500
Average Cost
$1,200
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
