Umbilical hernia in dogs is a fairly common occurrence. An animal may have a congenital pathology or an acquired one. Treatment of umbilical hernia in dogs is impossible, the only way out is reduction and suturing. The problem cannot be underestimated; a hernia is fraught with serious complications, even death. In this article, we will talk about the causes of umbilical hernias in puppy dogs and adults. We will understand the varieties of such hernias, find out what to do when a problem occurs.
What is umbilical hernia?
This is a pathology in which the insides of the animal - the bladder, uterus, omentum and intestines, fall out of the umbilical ring - an opening on the stomach, called the navel.
The cause of this condition is not always a genetic predisposition. For weakening of the abdominal muscles, the umbilical ring can open for many reasons. First of all, we consider the causes of the ailment in puppies, and then in adults.
Why do puppies have an umbilical hernia?
There is an opinion that the occurrence of the disease directly depends on the course of pregnancy and childbirth in the dog, as well as on the method of cutting the umbilical cord. It's not like that at all. Throughout pregnancy, puppies inside the dog’s womb receive all the substances necessary for life through the umbilical cord. When there is very little left before birth, the umbilical ring - the place where the umbilical cord is attached to the tummy - begins to narrow. The whole body of the baby is preparing to receive independently not only food, but also oxygen. You need to learn to breathe, so the contractions of the peritoneum begin. But this is not a factor in the development of hernia, it is a matter of genetics.
At birth, the umbilical ring is still open, but within a day should completely contract. If the ring has an irregular shape or the tone of the abdominal wall is weak, an umbilical hernia may form in the dog in these very first days of life.
How to identify a hernia in a puppy?
If the owner of the woman in labor is attentive and caring, then he will consistently examine the babies. It is not required to be a qualified veterinarian to determine umbilical hernia in a dog or newborn puppy. On the abdomen with pathology, a more convex area is noticeable than the rest of the zone. There will be a small, bulging ball on the skin.
Do not immediately start to panic. Puppies often have umbilical hernias, and almost all of them disappear on their own over the next several days of development.
Causes of umbilical hernia in older dogs
If the problem arose in puppyhood, then the cause is a weak umbilical ring, and this is already a congenital pathology. In adults, the problem may arise for other reasons.
- Peritoneal injuries, overload - do not force the dog to perform physical exercises through force, everything should be in moderation.
- Umbilical hernia in dogs after surgery is a common occurrence. A complication arises from an insufficient recovery period. Immediately after removing the sutures, the animal should not be loaded in the same way as before the operation, it should come in tone, do not disregard the recommendations of the veterinarian for restoration, follow all appointments and rules.
- Frequent and numerous dog pregnancies. Often this problem occurs when the dog walks by itself, the owner does not track the mating. Another risk group is an inexperienced breeder who wants to "cut" money on the fruiting of his pet, while not caring about its condition. If you breed the breed, then bring the dog the recommended number of times a year, you can not immediately lead her to the groom again after one pregnancy. If you don’t want to breed animals, then it is better to sterilize the pet, this is the key to its health and your peace of mind.
- Frequent constipation. This may be due not only to malnutrition, but also to intestinal pathology. If you notice such a problem, then the first thing to do is contact your veterinarian. If no diseases are found, then completely review the pet's menu, if necessary - put on a diet.
- The cause of the hernia may be another disease - ascites.
- Stable abdominal distention.
- High pressure inside the peritoneum.
If the penultimate factor the owner himself can determine by the frequent "gas contamination" of the room, then the veterinarian can establish the latter. It is because of the frequent disturbances in the work of the body that are invisible to the eyes, that the dogs need to be shown to the veterinarian annually for examination. The animal cannot say where, what, and how it hurts, and often does not even show its abnormal state.
Types of umbilical hernia
A photo of an umbilical hernia in dogs can be seen in this material. This is a very common phenomenon, and some animals can live with such a feature all their lives, while fully eating, loading and not showing pain, since it may not exist at all. This may be due to the growth of the omentum to the hernia, it does not fall out, but does not fall into place, it protrudes slightly, which can be completely invisible. In this situation, the hernia can not be touched, the dog will live, not noticing the pathology, his whole happy dog life. Another thing, when an umbilical hernia appears in a dog with a loss of the omentum, in this situation it is necessary to correct the pathology, to sew up, narrowing, the umbilical ring. But about the operation later, let's look at the types of hernias in dogs of all ages.
If a tubercle appears on the tummy of the newborn, this is not a reason to make a diagnosis. Hernias are of the following types:
- A true hernia is a type of pathology in which the umbilical ring opens and some part of the organ passes out through it. The most common bulging organ is the intestines.
- A false hernia is a kind in which the navel ring opens, but organs do not pass through it, remaining in the correct position in their places. The skin pouch becomes soft due to filling with fatty tissues. With this type of hernia, it is very mobile.
- A mobile hernia is a type of pathology in which you can easily, with a little pressure on the sac, put the fallen organ back inward. Gates - the umbilical ring - do not interfere with the return of the organ.
- A solid hernia or motionless is the most dangerous type of pathology in which the umbilical ring sharply narrows after the prolapse of the organ and remains in this position. In this condition, pinching of the internal organ occurs.
Hernia Dimensions
If a small tubercle appears in the area of the navel of even an adult animal, you must urgently show the pet to the veterinarian. It is not a fact that the hernia will remain of such a size, it can grow to the size of a lemon or a chicken egg, depending on the size of the dog and the tone of the umbilical ring. This may not happen at all, the dog will live all his life, not suspecting pathology. And it can happen otherwise - the hernia will "grow" sharply even with a small load, pinching will occur and the pet will simply die within a few hours.
A tubercle in the navel does not always indicate the occurrence of a hernia. It can be a harmless wen or a dangerous cancer. In any case, the pet must be shown to the doctor, even if he does not show signs of an uncomfortable state.
Is there a pedigree predisposition?
There is no specific list of breeds that have a predisposition to umbilical hernia. Most often, puppies suffer from pathology, and this is a genetic feature. If an adult dog has a hernia, then there are other reasons for this, described above.
If we consider bitches and males, then the former have a higher predisposition, because the load on their peritoneum is higher, especially when bearing offspring.
What is dangerous hernia on the navel?
Veterinarians recommend that the hernia be removed without fail, and the sooner this happens, the less risks there are for the life and health of the animal. Even if a puppy has appeared, then you should not expect that it will resolve by itself. The reason for this is obvious - the umbilical ring can close at any time, and the contents of the skin bag will be pinched. How is this dangerous?
- When pinching the intestines, vomiting first begins, the dog is tormented by constipation.
- If pinching has absorbed part of the bladder, then stagnation of urine will begin, in which kidney failure develops.
- The dog experiences severe pain when it is pinched.
- Blood circulation is disturbed.
- Blood does not enter the pinched part, the lack of oxygen begins, the tissues pinched by the ring begin to die.
- Dead tissue breaks down, which causes intoxication of the body.
- If no action is taken, the dog will fall into a short coma, and then die.
If the necrotic process has begun, then the owner of the animal will have a few minutes to deliver the pet to the clinic, and there he will immediately go to surgery, where the umbilical hernia will be removed.
Dogs with a false hernia do not need surgery, it is not dangerous to health, only if the dog himself does not begin to comb and injure her.
Symptoms
If the hernia begins to bother, then you can determine this by the symptoms.
- The dog whimpers, so she shows her pain.
- Refusal of food and drink, apathy.
- Digestive disorders - constipation or diarrhea, vomiting.
- The animal constantly lies, refuses to play and go for a walk.
- When pinched, the dog becomes more lethargic, weak, constantly whining and crying, hiding from the eyes of people.
Diagnostics
If the condition is not acute, the dog does not show its condition, or the symptoms are mild, but the owner has already brought the pet to the clinic, he will be immediately sent for an ultrasound. After this, you will need to donate blood for analysis to make a diagnosis more accurately.
In the case of an acute condition, time should not be lost. Without preliminary diagnosis, the dog will immediately be sent to the surgeon.
Dog umbilical hernia surgery
There is nothing to worry about. If organs have not come out through the ring, then the doctor will simply carefully adjust the abdomen and suture the hernial gate.
If there are organs in the bag, you will first have to open this bag to check in what condition these organs are. If there are no injuries and other problems, then they are also set, the surgeon sutures the gate.
If there was pinching, then there is a high probability of tissue death. In this case, they are removed, cleaned, which is dangerous to the life of the animal. Only then the doctor will set the organs and sew the gates.
After the operation, there will be no relapse. Having recovered, the dog will begin to live a familiar life.
Actions at home
If an umbilical hernia appeared in a dog, what to do and what not to do, every owner should know.
In no case do not try to correct the pathology yourself. By your actions you can lead to complications - pinching or even rupture of organs. Do not do anything other than see a doctor.
After the operation, the dog will need a warm and dry place in the house. The wound will need to be treated with disinfectants. The veterinarian will prescribe a diet that you must follow! Buy a bandage for the animal so that when you get up it does not open the seams.