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Signs Your Dog Has an Umbilical Hernia
You can feel a tiny opening at the umbilicus site when your dog is lying on his back and has an umbilical hernia. Typically, it is not a problem if it is the size of the tip of your pinkie finger at 8 weeks of age. By 6 months of age, many of these small hernias will naturally close.
Intestines may be slipping in and out of the opening if the hernia bubbles out or is larger than a pinkie finger. A portion of the intestine may eventually slip through the hernia opening and become tangled or trapped. At that point, your dog needs emergency surgery.
Your dog may exhibit pain, stand stiffly with his back arched, be unable to eat, or even vomit as symptoms of trapped intestines. Call your veterinarian as soon as you notice these symptoms.
What in the World is an Umbilical Hernia?
The tissue that connects at the puppy’s navel while it is still in the womb is the umbilical cord. Until the puppy is born, it provides the growing fetus with oxygen and nutrition.
After birth, the umbilical cord will naturally fall off, and the umbilicus should successfully close.
A protrusion of the abdominal lining, organs, or fat against the skin may happen when the umbilicus fails to heal and close, pushing out the naval area. Due to this, an unnatural bulge develops that may be minor or, depending on the situation, potentially fatal.
Treatment of Umbilical Hernia in Dogs
Puppies under six months of age with extremely small hernias (less than 14 inch) may be allowed to heal on their own. Untreated hernias in young puppies typically close before six months. If your dog is older than this, surgery might be necessary to treat a small reducible hernia, and it almost certainly will be necessary to treat an irreducible hernia. The scar tissue that has developed around the hernia is removed during surgery, and any trapped organs are returned to their proper positions. The muscle opening is also closed with sutures. The only dangers associated with this surgery are those that are common with anesthesia and surgery, like bleeding and infection. When detected early, umbilical hernia surgery is frequently combined with castration or spaying.
Worried about the cost of Umbilical Hernia treatment?
Many common pet health conditions are covered by pet insurance. Get a quote from top pet insurance companies to be prepared for the unexpected.
FAQ
What should I do if my puppy has an umbilical hernia?
Many small hernias will close on their own. Surgery is needed for larger hernias in order to close the opening and keep the intestines safely inside. Your veterinarian may advise monitoring your puppy and performing the procedure concurrently with spaying or neutering it if it appears to be in good health.
Should you buy a puppy with an umbilical hernia?
It depends on your level of knowledge whether you should purchase a puppy with an umbilical hernia. Make sure you are cognizant of the seriousness of the puppy’s condition and are equipped to handle the repercussions. If you are, feel free to welcome the little furry creature as the newest member of your family.
How common is umbilical hernia in puppies?
One in 500 puppies have hernias, which are a common congenital condition that affects newborn puppies. The majority are typically found at a puppy’s first checkups or vaccinations without any associated or antecedent signs of illness, despite the fact that they can make some dogs seriously ill.
How much does it cost to fix an umbilical hernia on a puppy?
Generally speaking, repairing a dog’s umbilical hernia is not very expensive. If the hernia repair is included with the spay or neuter procedure, pet owners should budget between $150 and $400.