A hernia on the stomach of a dog or puppy - what to do and treatment plan. Umbilical hernia in a puppy At what months is it better for a puppy to have hernia removed?

An umbilical hernia in a puppy is the prolapse of internal organs through an opening into the cavity. Based on the location of the hernia and some of its other features, different types of pathology are distinguished. This is a common type of hernia. This pathological formation consists of an opening (hernial ring) and a sac containing the hernia: this is usually the omentum, but in the most severe cases it can be an intestinal loop.

How does a hernia form?

During the birth of a puppy, the belly button ring should normally shrink. But sometimes the ring has an irregular shape or its size exceeds the norm, as a result of which the abdominal wall does not close naturally and this leads to the development of an umbilical hernia in the puppy.

A good reputation of the breeder and the best pedigree do not guarantee 100% perfect health of the future puppy. Umbilical hernia is such a common pathology in dogs that breeders do not take it into account at all when predicting the class of puppies. But this purely cosmetic and seemingly harmless problem can pose a threat to the animal’s life, just like an inguinal hernia.

Causes of umbilical hernia in a puppy

A common cause of umbilical hernia in puppies is a congenital condition. Most often, during childbirth, compression of the umbilical opening occurs, but if it has an irregular shape or increased size, compression may not occur. This is what leads to the formation of an umbilical hernia. Some dogs are genetically predisposed to umbilical hernia, in which case all or several puppies of the same litter may have it at the same time.

However, the hernia is not always congenital. Sometimes its appearance is caused by overstrain of the abdominal muscles or increased intra-abdominal pressure. Pathology may appear during childbirth if the mother pulls strongly on the umbilical cord.

Symptoms of a tumor on the abdomen

Both congenital and acquired hernia are easily noticed when examining a puppy: there is a small swelling on the abdomen - from several mm to several cm. In severe cases, its size can be equal to the size of a chicken egg or even larger. This swelling is quite soft and is easily pushed into the peritoneum.

More careful palpation allows you to feel a hard hernial ring. But only a veterinarian with relevant experience can diagnose an umbilical hernia, since a tumor on a dog’s abdomen does not always indicate the presence of a hernia - in some cases it is associated with other pathologies. Therefore, first of all, the owner of a dog who suspects that he has such a disease should contact a veterinarian.

In the case of a small hernia, the dog does not show signs of concern, since this formation does not cause it any discomfort, even when it is palpated. However, if palpation of the swelling causes pain in the animal, this means that the hernia is strangulated and the dog needs treatment.

A hernia in a puppy is dangerous in that its ring can cause pinching of tissues that have fallen into the hernial sac. This leads to poor circulation, leading to inhibition of intestinal or omentum functions. In this case, the symptoms of the disease worsen: the dog feels acute pain at the site of the pathology, becomes lethargic, loses appetite, and does not allow the hernia to be touched.

The external appearance of the swelling also changes: it swells, increases in size, and stands out in color from the surrounding tissues. In the absence of timely treatment, the consequences of an advanced disease can be quite severe, ranging from dysfunction of the peritoneal organs to death.

Treatment of umbilical hernia in animals

My puppy has an umbilical hernia, what should I do? It is necessary to confirm this diagnosis with a veterinarian, who will be able to establish the fact of its presence, as well as determine the general condition of the dog and select effective treatment. Some conservative methods of treating hernia are ineffective and therefore are almost never used. Only surgical intervention can give a real effect.

In the case when the omentum has grown into the hernia, it becomes stable and can be left untouched throughout the dog’s life. A planned operation may be required when the size of the hernia is quite large, but the hernia ring is very small or the dog can injure this area due to the size of the swelling.

Provided the course of the disease is normal (in which the hernia does not grow and tissues are pinched), treatment can be combined with other operations (for example, sterilization). It is better if, before the procedure, the puppy undergoes a course of vaccination, which allows him to develop strong immunity and facilitate the rehabilitation period.

A fairly simple operation is performed in which the contents of the hernial sac are reduced into the peritoneum, after which the hernial ring is tightened. In case of tissue entrapment, the hernial ring is first dissected, then the contents are examined and reduced, after which the ring is sutured. If tissue injury occurs, immediate surgery is necessary. This situation does not allow us to expect a planned operation.

After the operation, recurrence of the umbilical hernia in the dog is excluded. The rehabilitation period is quite short. The veterinarian makes recommendations about the animal's diet during the dog's recovery and mobility. A scheduled visit is scheduled to monitor the healing of surgical sutures. This guarantees quick treatment of the disease, which will allow the dog to live a long life.

Classification of umbilical hernia in dogs

Pathology in puppies is divided into the following types:

1. True - includes the hernial orifice (umbilical ring) and the hernial sac into which a fragment of an internal organ (mainly the intestine) and the abdominal wall is inserted;
2. False - with it the hernial sac is not filled, thus the physiological location of the internal organs is correct. A small leather pouch is filled with fat, it remains mobile and soft;
3. Hard (irreparable) - infringement of an organ by a hernial orifice;
4. Movable - the prolapsed part of the intestine can be reset by palpation by light pressure with a finger.

The most dangerous is a strangulated hernia. With it, the contents of the hernial sac are compressed by the hernial opening, which leads to strangulation. This condition requires immediate treatment.

Danger of umbilical hernia

According to veterinarians, treatment of an umbilical hernia is a necessary measure for a puppy, while early treatment reduces the risks to his health. The reason for this is very simple - with any type, this disease can lead to strangulation of the contents of the hernial sac. As the puppy grows, the pinched part of the intestine or other organ may be pinched by the umbilical ring.

Incorrect bowel position and pressure can cause the following consequences:

• Constipation and vomiting in case of intestinal strangulation;
• Urine stagnation and renal failure in case of bladder strangulation;
• Poor circulation, lack of tissue nutrition.
• Abdominal pain;
• Septic shock as a consequence of intoxication;
• Necrosis - cells that are deprived of nutrition die and are rejected by the body;
• Coma and death.

A small fatty hernia is not capable of causing discomfort in the dog and requires treatment only if the issue of beauty is involved. For aesthetic purposes, such fatty hernias are removed routinely after two primary vaccinations or in combination with other procedures.

For preventive purposes, massage of the puppy’s abdomen after eating is indicated. When the mother feeds the babies, she licks their bellies after each feeding. But after the puppy is weaned from its mother and moves to a new place of residence, “parental responsibilities” are assigned to its owners.

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One of the common surgical pathologies of internal organs in animals is hernia. The disease can be congenital or acquired. Organ strangulation poses a potential danger to the pet, as it is often complicated by necrosis and peritonitis. Effective treatment involves surgery. Conservative therapy does not have the desired therapeutic effect.

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Reasons for appearance

A hernia is a protrusion of internal organs through natural or pathological openings due to rupture of abdominal tissue (hernial orifice). The most common contents of the hernial sac are intestinal loops, uterus, bladder, mesentery (omentum). Veterinary practice shows that the disease can be congenital, as well as acquired.

Congenital

Most often, veterinarians are faced with umbilical congenital hernia. Hereditary predisposition in this case plays a major role in the pathophysiology of the process. The cause of the development of the birth defect is a wide inguinal canal, as well as an unclosed umbilical opening. Many dog ​​breeders believe that improper care of newborn puppies during birth can lead to pathology.

Umbilical hernia

Acquired

The causes of acquired disease in veterinary medicine include:

• Injuries. Blows, being hit by a vehicle, falling from a height, mechanical damage to the abdominal organs during fights with relatives are the most common causes of the development of acquired inguinal and umbilical hernia.
• Increased intra-abdominal pressure. Chronic heart and vascular diseases, kidney pathologies, difficult pathological childbirth, chronic constipation often lead to increased pressure in the peritoneum and contribute to the protrusion of internal organs.

Factors contributing to the development of the defect include obesity, weakened muscle tone, and excessive physical activity.

After operation

Hernia as a complication after abdominal surgery is a rare occurrence. In dogs, pathology can develop as a result of urethrostomy, sterilization of females, intestinal operations and other surgical interventions.

Types of hernia, their features and symptoms

Depending on the location of the problem, veterinary practice distinguishes between umbilical, inguinal, vertebral and diaphragmatic pathologies.

Localization of hernias: 1 - paracostal hernia; 2 - dorsal lateral hernia; 3 - inguinal hernia; 4 - rupture of the cranial pubic ligament; 5 - femoral hernia; 6 - umbilical hernia; 7 - ventral hernia; 8 - scrotal hernia.

Umbilical

Most often, owners encounter this hernia in newborn animals. The disease is congenital in nature and is manifested by the descent of internal organs into the umbilical ring. Deviation from the norm in the shape of the hole and decreased muscle tone are the main causes of the defect. Dog breeds such as dachshunds, poodles, German shepherds, and bull terriers have a genetic predisposition to this type of hernia.

An umbilical hernia can be easily detected by a protrusion in the corresponding anatomical area of ​​the abdomen in a young animal. The size of the pathological formation, as a rule, does not exceed several centimeters, it is soft to the touch and painless. The hernial contents are easily reduced, the hernial ring is palpated.

Lateral abdominal radiography: umbilical hernia

The peculiarity of umbilical hernia in puppies is that most defects are eliminated with age. The diagnosis is established based on examination and palpation of the hernial ring. Sometimes they resort to puncture (to make a differential diagnosis of an abscess).

Umbilical hernia can be successfully treated with both surgical and conservative methods. Young animals with small defects are often helped by palliative therapy in the form of bandages and fixing bandages, strengthening.

Inguinal

This type of pathology, such as an inguinal hernia, is more often diagnosed in female dogs. The uterus, bladder, and sometimes intestinal loops prolapse into the inguinal ring. The animal not only experiences a protrusion in the groin area, but also a worsening general condition: the temperature rises, the pulse and breathing become more frequent, there is a refusal to feed and pain.

• Avoid chronic constipation in your pets.
• Treat concomitant diseases in a timely manner.
• Castration of male dogs reduces the risk of developing a perineal hernia.
• Prevent injuries and mechanical damage to internal organs in dogs.

Umbilical hernia in dogs is most often diagnosed in puppies and young animals. Inguinal, perineal and diaphragmatic hernia are observed with injuries and increased intra-abdominal pressure. These types of pathology are fraught with strangulation of the hernial contents.

A diaphragmatic hernia requires immediate surgical intervention. Vertebral tissue develops as a result of degenerative processes in the cartilage tissue of the spine. Conservative treatment is ineffective; surgery requires a highly qualified doctor.

A hernia is the prolapse of various organs into a cavity through an opening. Depending on the location of the hernia and its characteristics, various types of pathology are distinguished. Most often, umbilical hernia is diagnosed in pets.

It consists of a hernial ring (opening) and a sac that contains the contents of the hernia: usually this is the omentum, but in severe cases there may be an intestinal loop.

Causes of umbilical hernia in puppies

Most often, the cause of an umbilical hernia in a puppy is a congenital feature. In most cases, the umbilical opening shrinks during childbirth, but if it is formed incorrectly or is oversized, this may not happen. In this case, they talk about the appearance of an umbilical hernia. Some dogs have a genetic predisposition to umbilical hernia, in which case it can occur in several puppies from the same litter.

But an umbilical hernia in a dog is not always just a birth defect. In some cases, overstrain of the peritoneal muscles or excessive intra-abdominal pressure can lead to the development of a hernia.

Symptoms of an umbilical hernia in a puppy

Both congenital and acquired hernia are quite easy to notice during a visual examination of the dog: a small swelling appears on the abdomen, the size of which can vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters. In advanced cases, umbilical hernias in dogs can reach the size of a chicken egg or more. The swelling is soft and easily retracts into the peritoneum. With more careful palpation, you can feel a hard hernial ring. However, only an experienced veterinarian can diagnose the development of an umbilical hernia in a puppy, since a tumor on the animal’s abdomen does not always indicate the development of a hernia and may be associated with other pathological processes occurring in the animal’s body. Therefore, the first thing that is recommended for an owner to do if they suspect an umbilical hernia in a dog is to contact a veterinarian.

When a small hernia appears, the animal does not show concern: the hernia does not cause any discomfort even when palpated. If the dog experiences pain when palpating the swelling, it means that the hernia has been strangulated and the animal requires immediate treatment.

The danger of an umbilical hernia in dogs is that the hernial ring can lead to pinching of tissues that have prolapsed into the hernial sac. In this case, normal blood circulation is disrupted and oppression of the functions of the omentum or intestines begins. Then the symptoms of the disease change: the animal experiences acute pain in the abdomen, becomes lethargic, refuses to eat, and does not allow the hernia to be touched. The appearance of the swelling also changes: it swells, becomes large, and its color differs from the color of the surrounding tissues. If timely treatment is not started, the consequences of an umbilical hernia in dogs can be very serious: from disruption of the normal functioning of the peritoneal organs and tissue necrosis, to the death of the animal.

Treatment of umbilical hernia in dogs

What to do if your dog has an umbilical hernia? The diagnosis should be confirmed by an experienced veterinarian. The specialist will not only establish the presence of a hernia, but also identify the general condition of the animal, and also select an effective treatment plan. There are conservative methods for treating hernia, but specialists rarely resort to them: they are ineffective. The best result is achieved by surgical intervention.

If the omentum in the hernia has grown in, then the hernia is stable and can be left untouched for the entire life of the animal. It is necessary to operate as planned if the hernia is large and the hernial ring is very small or the animal can injure this place due to the size of the hernia. In the normal course of the disease (without tissue strangulation and hernia growth), its treatment can be combined with another operation (for example, sterilization). It is advisable that before the procedure, the puppy has already completed a course of vaccination to develop strong immunity and facilitate the rehabilitation period.

The operation for an umbilical hernia in dogs is quite simple: a veterinary surgeon pushes the contents of the hernial sac into the peritoneum and tightens the hernial ring. If tissue infringement occurs, then first the hernial ring is dissected, the contents are examined, it is adjusted and the ring is sutured. If tissue infringement occurs during an umbilical hernia in dogs, immediate surgical assistance is needed - in this case, you cannot wait for a planned operation.

After surgical treatment, the disease does not recur, and the rehabilitation period is quite short. The veterinarian will give the necessary recommendations regarding the dog’s diet during the recovery period and the animal’s mobility. A routine visit will also be scheduled to monitor the healing of the sutures. This approach ensures that umbilical hernia in dogs will be treated quickly, effectively and efficiently, and the animal will live a long and fulfilling life.

Oddly enough, animals often suffer from the same diseases as people. Although they tolerate it much more severely, and the treatment itself may differ significantly from that of humans. More precisely, umbilical hernia in dogs is the most common disease. Therefore, below we will consider in more detail not only the features, but also ways to solve this problem for your pet. So that you can diagnose it in the early stages and take the necessary measures.

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Description of the disease

A hernia in dogs is a special tumor that is elastic and does not stand out under the skin at all. Very often its size may not be larger than a walnut. If we talk about their origin, then they can be either congenital or acquired. But based on the clinical condition, they are divided into: reducible and irreducible. And if the former disappear under pressure and later appear again, then the latter do not disappear under any conditions.

It is very important to immediately show the animal to a doctor, because a hernia in a dog can increase over time and cause disruption in the functioning of other organs. Not to mention that infringement may occur. This phenomenon occurs due to the entrainment of pressure on the stomach and intestines, and any sudden movement or jump will affect this.

After strangulation, the walls of the abdominal cavity may partially become dead. Then not only vomiting occurs, but also gas and stool retention. The animal is suffering greatly and requires urgent hospitalization and surgical intervention as in the photo above.

Hernia in puppies

A hernia in a puppy is the prolapse of organs through openings. It looks like a bag that is filled with various contents and has a gate. In this case, a distinction is also made between reducible and irreducible hernia in dogs. It all depends on how easily it fell out and whether there are any aggravating circumstances or reasons for its reduction. After all, sometimes you have to resort to serious operations on the animal’s belly.

In this situation, you can also find cases of strangulated hernia. And then you cannot do without urgent intervention and subsequent treatment of your pet. Depending on the location, the disease can be: inguinal, umbilical and perineal. In the photo below you can see exactly the umbilical hernia in a small puppy.

Causes

The most common cause of an umbilical hernia in dogs is when a puppy is just born and the birth is carried out incorrectly. Since the umbilical cord of an animal tends to stretch very much, you should not be afraid to do this, even if it seems impossible to you. And with the help of a certain massage, the abdominal muscles are strengthened and the umbilical cord closes much more tightly.

Although the appearance of this disease can be explained by other reasons, one of which is heredity. And here nothing will depend on you. Do not forget also about a balanced diet for the young mother and her offspring.

How to cure the disease?

Under no circumstances should you treat yourself or expect that your dog’s hernia will go away on its own. In this situation, the help of a veterinarian and an emergency operation are necessary. As a result of this intervention, the entire contents of the hernial sac are pushed back into the abdomen. If it is recognized as irreducible, then its end is bent with a special tool, and then cut off. Next, the umbilical ring closes much more tightly than it was before.

The wound itself is carefully sutured and sealed with medical glue. And only after five or seven days the bandage and stitches can be removed. Everything here will depend on the puppy’s health condition.

Although there are not such serious cases, and then it will be enough to rub ointments and massage the umbilical ring. After this, the reduction and application of an adhesive plaster will occur. And after a couple of weeks of treatment, you will need to inject alcohol a couple of times into the muscles and the area around the hernia.

Hernia in an adult dog

Although hernia in dogs most often occurs in puppies, adults are also not immune and can get sick. Most often this occurs due to birth defects and genetics, although if your pet leads an active lifestyle, then he may also develop a hernia of the abdomen and abdominal cavity. Often its size is no larger than an egg, but it can be larger. An umbilical hernia in dogs is easy to spot and repair.

Causes

The main causes of hernia in dogs are considered to be increased pressure inside the abdomen or persistent gases, which some dogs may suffer from. It also consists of a bag and a gate that falls out. In this bag, in addition to the main contents, you can find the omentum or part of the intestine. If the bag is pinched by an opening, the need for surgery increases sharply.

The main symptoms that may tell you that your dog is suffering from these diseases are:

• the dog is in a bad mood;
• refusal of food and drink;
• changes not only in breathing, but also in heart rate;
• pain and discomfort of the dog when pressed and palpated;
• presence of seals and bags upon examination.

If at least several of these factors are present, you need to urgently contact the clinic for a more detailed examination and tests.

How to treat the disease?

When you consult a doctor, a diagnosis will be made and most often it is only visual. After all, a hernia in dogs is quite noticeable and palpable. Although there are more complex cases when an internal examination is required. If your case is not too complicated, then you can do without surgery, but simply set the hernia back and secure the umbilical ring stronger than it was. But in more advanced situations, treatment will take much longer and be much more unpleasant.

Before the operation, you will need to come for a special massage and rub in ointments. And only after a week can surgery be performed and the problem solved. The operation itself will be carried out according to the same procedure as for puppies. Although they note that in an adult dog, healing occurs a little faster due to a stronger immune system.

Each owner needs not only to carefully monitor the pet’s health, but also to conduct an examination in person as often as possible and take him to see a doctor. Also take care of good nutrition, exercise and protect the animal from serious injuries. Any disease can be prevented if you are an attentive and caring owner.

Video “Performing surgery to repair a hernia in a dog”

In the video below you can see how the operation is performed and what awaits your pet if he has the same disease.