The most common cause of lumps appearing on puppy bellies is an
umbilical hernia
. This type of lump appears on the abdomen in the spot where the umbilical cord was attached. Sometimes, after the umbilical cord is broken off, fatty tissue escapes through the opening and becomes trapped by the body wall.
What does a dog umbilical hernia look like?
An umbilical hernia is caused by the incomplete closure of the umbilical ring after birth. The hernia generally appears as
a soft swelling beneath the skin
and it often protrudes when the puppy is standing, barking, crying, or straining.
Do umbilical hernias in dogs go away?
If your dog has an umbilical hernia, when your dog lies on his back, you can feel a small opening at the umbilicus site. If it is the size of the end of your pinkie finger at 8 weeks of age, it is usually not a problem.
Many of these small hernias will close up on their own by 6 months of age
.
How long can a dog live with a umbilical hernia?
Your dog is not in pain and the tear is so tiny that the intestine, fat or other organs can't pass through. The best course of action is to wait and watch, especially if you have a puppy.
Usually, the hernia will go away on its own by the time the pup is 6 months old
. If not, consult your vet.
Can a dog live with a hernia?
If you weren't aware, dogs can get hernias just like people can, and just like people,
dogs can be treated for their hernias and live normal lives with them
! Just like people, these hernias can happen in many different areas of the body, too.
Do umbilical hernias in dogs need to be fixed?
In the cases of small umbilical hernias where only fat is protruding, your veterinarian may recommend repairing the hernia at the time of spay or neuter
. If the hernia is large or contains abdominal organs, surgery should take place as soon as possible to avoid organ damage or even death.
Can a dog hernia heal itself?
Umbilical Hernia
They may close up on their own by the time the puppy turns three or four months old
. If they don't, they typically require surgery. Your veterinarian may be able to fix the hernia at the same time your puppy is spayed or neutered.
How much does it cost to fix an umbilical hernia in dogs?
Cost of Hernia Repair in Dogs
Hernia repair surgery can be expensive and price varies depending on the location of the hernia and the cost of living in your area. Hernia repair expenses range from
$700 (for simple more common hernias) to $2,500 (more complex cases) with $1,600 being the average cost
.
How does a hernia look?
Appearance. The hernia will look like
a bulge or bump in the scrotum or groin region
. Standing or bearing down with force will often make the bulge more noticeable. The bulge typically takes time to appear, but it can form suddenly after coughing, lifting heavy weights, straining, bending, or laughing.
How do you fix a dog's umbilical hernia?
Treatment for most pets with umbilical or inguinal hernias is
surgical
. This is typically considered a minor procedure in which the opening is sealed with suture material after replacing any tissue that has slipped through the defect in the body wall.
Can you push a dogs hernia back in?
Spaying or neutering a dog is the first procedure for pre-treatment. In the case that it's too late for either procedure,
if the hernia is reducible, then it can simply be pushed back into its correct area
(example: abdominal wall).
What does a hernia feel like in a dog?
Some dogs experience no signs of discomfort or illness with hernias. Other dogs will develop severe, life-threatening symptoms depending on which organs are affected. Most noticeably, hernias usually appear as
a soft mass that is shaped like a bubble
.
Is hernia in dogs painful?
An untreated hernia can result in a great amount of pain for your dog
and could lead to medical complications.
Do hernias hurt dogs?
Hernias can be painful or painless
. Typically, umbilical hernias are the least painful type of hernia for humans, dogs, and cats, whereas others can cause a lot of discomfort. Hernias in both humans and household pets can be surgically fixed by a doctor or veterinarian.
How common are umbilical hernias in dogs?
Hernias are a common congenital condition (meaning that puppies are born with them), affecting
around 1 in 500 puppies
. Although they can make some dogs seriously unwell, most are usually discovered at a puppy's first checks or vaccinations without any associated or preceding signs of ill-health.
How do dogs get umbilical hernias?
Causes.
Most umbilical hernias in dogs are probably inherited although trauma can also be a cause
. Some breeds of dogs, including Airedales, Pekingese, and basenji are predisposed to umbilical hernias.
How do you push an umbilical hernia back in?
Your surgeon will cut the skin at the groin. They will push the bulging intestine back into your belly
. Then, a stitch will close the opening in the muscle wall. Sometimes your surgeon may fix the weak area and make it stronger with mesh or wire (hernioplasty).
How can you fix an umbilical hernia without surgery?
A hernia usually does not go away without surgery. Non-surgical approaches such as
wearing a corset, binder, or truss
may exert gentle pressure on the hernia and keep it in place. These methods may ease the pain or discomfort and may be used if you are not fit for the surgery or awaiting surgery.
Can a dog hernia get bigger?
The canal becomes enlarged — think of a hole getting bigger once there's a tear
— and abdominal organs can herniate through the opening. “These are true, major hernias that need to be fixed,” says Tufts veterinary surgeon John Berg, DVM, who serves as Your Dog's editor-in-chief.
