A bulging belly button in a dog means that the dog has an umbilical hernia

A bulging belly button in a dog means that the dog has an umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernia is very detrimental to the growth and health of the dog. Umbilical hernias are divided into congenital and acquired types. If the dog's umbilical cord develops defectively, the umbilical hernia is patent or incompletely closed, or after the umbilical cord is detached, the umbilical cord root tissue and the umbilical ring are not properly adhered to each other and heal, resulting in umbilical scar tissue that is not strong enough. Overeating, constipation, etc. in dogs lead to increased intra-abdominal pressure, and the intestinal tube or omentum in the abdominal cavity protrudes outward through the weak umbilical ring to form an umbilical hernia.

What harm does umbilical hernia do to dogs?

Dogs with umbilical hernia will have a hemispherical bulge in the umbilicus, which is neither painful nor itchy. The size of the hemispherical bulge will increase when pressed or lying on the back. reduce or even disappear. When adhesion occurs in the contents of the hernia, abdominal pain, local swelling and hardening may occur. The dog will become restless, have no appetite, and have an elevated body temperature. In severe cases, the dog may go into shock or even die.

How to treat an umbilical hernia in a dog?

If a dog has an umbilical hernia, if it is a small umbilical hernia, most will not have clinical symptoms and generally do not require treatment. Dogs have a strong self-healing ability and will gradually heal and disappear after a few months. If the umbilical hernia is large, as the course of the disease prolongs, the contents of the hernia are prone to adhesion or incarceration. In this case, the dog cannot heal on its own. It is recommended that the owner take the dog to a pet hospital for diagnosis by a professional veterinarian. If necessary, surgical treatment must be performed as soon as possible.

How to care for a dog with umbilical hernia

Dogs don’t feel full. Owners should not feed them too much food to prevent them from overeating. You can feed your dog some fruits and vegetables to supplement your dog’s vitamins, and feed your dog some probiotics to promote digestion and prevent constipation. If the dog is treated through surgery, the owner must take good care of the dog within ten days after the operation. Reduce its diet and limit the dog's strenuous exercise to prevent excessive abdominal pressure from causing premature umbilical rupture and recurrence. The owner should observe the wound at all times, do anti-inflammatory work, and keep the wound clean, which can speed up wound healing.