What are umbilical hernia in dogs
An umbilical hernia is a protrusion (outward bulging) of the abdominal lining, abdominal fat, or a portion of abdominal organ(s) through the area around the umbilicus or belly button. The umbilicus in dogs is located on their underside just below the ribcage.
Before birth, the umbilical blood vessels pass through the umbilical ring (an opening in the abdominal muscles) to provide nourishment to the developing fetus. 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 bulges when the puppy is standing, barking, crying, or straining.
Some hernias are reducible, meaning that the bulging can be pushed back into the abdomen while others are non-reducible indicating at least partial obstruction of the herniated contents to the opening.
An umbilical hernia in dogs can vary in size; small hernias may close spontaneously (without treatment) by age 3 to 4 months. Umbilical hernias that do not close may require surgery, especially if a portion of an intestinal organ sticks out through it. Umbilical hernias are usually painless. The exact cause is unknown, but a genetic predisposition is a possibility.
Written by Dr. Mariella Roberts, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC | Published March 2025 | Review date March 2027 | This advice is for UK pets only
Symptoms of dog umbilical hernia
The symptoms associated with a non-reducible umbilical hernia can often include the following:
Pain around the belly button
Warm to the touch where swelling occurs around the belly button
Not eating
Vomiting
Tiredness
When to contact your vet
When you notice a bulgy soft area on your dog’s belly, it is always best to be checked by your vet even if your dog looks well.
Diagnosis
Your vet would examine the dog's abdomen, paying special attention to their belly buttons. If they find a soft swelling around the umbilical area, the chances are the vet would diagnose the problem. Occasionally, a vet might recommend taking X-rays or doing an abdominal ultrasound, which would allow them to see if any abdominal contents have become trapped in an opening in the muscle wall
Treatment for umbilical hernia in dogs
When it comes to repairing umbilical hernias, the end goal would be to correct an opening in the muscle wall, making sure any abdominal content is put back where it belongs, and many pets have this done at the same time as another procedure, usually when being neutered (spay or castration). However, this type of hernia can spontaneously close without the need of any surgical intervention when dogs are around six months old. When the hernia is small, a vet might not need to correct it surgically.
Prevention of congenital hernia in dogs
The prognosis is excellent following surgical correction. Few puppies experience recurrence of the hernia and few complications are reported with the procedure.
With this said, any dog with an umbilical hernia should not be used in a breeding programme because the condition is known to be hereditary, and therefore parents may well pass on the problem on to their offspring.
Outlook
The outlook is generally very good with both reducible and unreducible hernias.