I know the feeling, you just found the puppy of your dreams, but there is one small problem: he has an Umbilical hernia. Is this something I should worry about, or is it no big deal? Should I buy a puppy with an umbilical hernia? Good news is that most umbilical hernias are easily treated, and there is no cause for concern. But there are some risks involved. Read on for more information about causes, risks, treatments and symptoms of umbilical hernias in puppies.
What are umbilical hernias in puppies?
An umbilical hernia is a bulging lump of fat, abdominal lining or abdominal organs around the umbilicus (also called the navel or belly button). This spot can be found just below the rib cage in dogs like the image below.
Before birth, the umbilical blood vessels pass through an opening called the umbilical ring. This ring is an opening in the abdominal muscles and allows the umbilical cord to provide nutrients to the developing puppy fetus. Normally, the umbilical ring closes naturally after birth.
Umbilical hernias are caused when the umbilical ring doesn’t close completely, and they come in two varieties: reducible and non-reducible.
Reducible hernias can be pushed back into the abdomen. These indicate that the opening is still present, and they often require treatment.
Non-reducible hernias indicate an obstruction or adhesion of the herniated tissue. In many cases, it means that the hole in the abdominal wall is closed, and does not require additional treatment.
What are the risks of buying a puppy with an umbilical hernia?
Umbilical hernias are fairly common for puppies, and they usually aren’t a cause for concern.
If your puppy has a large reducible umbilical hernia, they may be at risk for strangulation of the intestines or other abdominal organs. In these cases, emergency surgery may be required, but these cases are rare.
That is why it is important to have the hernia checked out by a vet when it pops up.
Symptoms of umbilical hernias
The most notable sign of an umbilical hernia is a small lump in their belly. Other symptoms of puppy hernias may include:
Excessive swelling
Fever
Laziness
Pain and discomfort
Trouble eating
Nausea and vomiting
Treatment options for puppy umbilical hernias
Many veterinarians will wait to see if the hernia will close on its own before doing surgical repair. It is common for hernias to fix themselves with time and rest before the puppy is 8 weeks old.
As stated above, non-reducible hernias usually don’t require any treatment, but puppy owners may elect to correct the hernia for cosmetic reasons.
Vets will often wait until the spaying/neutering procedure to fix a small umbilical hernia. This saves time and hassle as your dog will already be under anesthesia. Two birds!
Other types of hernias in dogs
Most puppy hernias , they can develop other hernias as well. These other types are:
Inguinal hernia – this is the type of hernia that is most common in humans. It happens when the abdominal contents poke through an opening in the muscle wall that is near the groin.
Diaphragmatic hernia – a tear in the diaphragm allows the abdominal organs to move towards the head and into the chest cavity.
Hiatal hernia – a specific type of diaphragmatic hernia where the stomach moves into the chest.
Perineal hernia – abdominal organs or fat pushing through the perineum muscle, which is located between the anus and genitals.
Puppy umbilical hernia FAQs
Umbilical hernias occur when the umbilical ring does not fully close, and abdominal tissue pushes its way through the hole. These are fairly common in puppies and often present no cause for concern.
An umbilical hernia does not reduce the life expectancy of a puppy. The expected age would depend on breed, activity, diet, and many other factors.
Reducible hernias can heal themselves over time, but many cases require surgery to fix. Non-reducible hernias often require no treatment.
Yes, many umbilical hernias heal without any treatment.
Depending on the type and severity, an umbilical hernia can be painful or not. Reducible hernias are painful when they begin to strangulate the internal organs. Non-reducible hernias are often pain-free.
Conclusion – Should I buy a puppy with an umbilical hernia?
Umbilical hernias are usually nothing to worry about! Certain cases do require immediate surgery, but those are rare. Sometimes a puppy umbilical hernia heals on its own, but it require surgical repair to fix down the road. If you notice any lumps around your dog’s belly, let your vet know, and they’ll give you the best plan for moving forward. If there is a required surgery, your vet will often wait to perform it at the same time as the sterilization surgery.
The soft swelling of an umbilical hernia, while scary at first, usually presents no long-term risks for your pup. Don’t let that keep you from buying that cute little furball!
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