Can You Breed A Dog With An Umbilical Hernia?

An umbilical hernia is a serious condition in dogs and can be genetic in many cases. Can you breed a dog with an umbilical hernia, knowing well that the puppy might also have this problem? Let us read more about it.

An umbilical hernia is a serious condition that can develop in a dog’s body, and that can also come in the way when you try to breed a dog. Before talking about umbilical hernia, you need to know what hernia is. 

From the technical aspect, it can be said that when tissue or a complete organ protrudes out of its designated place, it is called a hernia. And now, coming back to umbilical hernia, it is the most common type of hernia that can be seen in a dog’s body. 

Can You Breed A Dog With An Umbilical Hernia

Usually, an umbilical hernia can be seen in a dog’s body from birth. They develop on the abdominal wall when the umbilicus gets broken during delivery. 

Several factors can cause this disease in a dog’s body, and the most common reasons behind this health condition are muscular injury and inherited genes from the parents. 

Most of the time, umbilical hernia is not harmful to dogs. But if it is large and your dog is showing its symptoms, hereditary, or needs surgery, you should not breed your dog. 

In this article, we will discuss all umbilical herniae and their relation to the breeding process. 

What is an Umbilical Hernia?

While being inside the mother’s body, the umbilicus of a puppy slips out of the stomach wall through a tiny opening to get attached to the placenta. During the puppy’s birth, the umbilical cord breaks, and in some cases, the person breeding the dog cuts the umbilical cord and ties it. 

Usually, the body wall near the abdominal areas patches up and forms the abdomen. Unfortunately, in some cases, a small amount of fat deposition happens near the opening, which causes the belly button to protrude. Slowly the portion dries up and forms the belly button. 

Under this condition, it becomes impossible for the abdominal wall to get fully closed. This specific condition in your dog’s body is known as umbilical hernia. 

Signs Your Dog Will Show if it is Suffering From Umbilical Hernia

In case your dog is suffering from an umbilical hernia, then certain changes in its body can be seen in the dog’s body and as well as in its behavior. In this section, we will discuss all of these signs in detail. 

Opening near the umbilical cord

You would be able to spot a little but noticeable opening near the point where the umbilical cord was attached. This opening can only be spotted when your dog lies on its back. 

This opening will not be larger than your little finger. The little opening will get closed within six months after the birth. 

Can You Breed A Dog With An Umbilical Hernia

Intestine protruding from the stomach

In some cases, the opening is bigger, and because of the large size, there is a high chance that the dog’s intestine may come out through the dog’s body. 

If at any given point, the full or some part of the intestine comes out of the hernia opening, then there is a high chance that it may get trapped and even twisted. You should take your dog and rush to the nearest veterinary clinic for emergency surgery in this condition. 

Standing stiff

When the intestine gets trapped in the dog’s body, your dog will be in immense pain, and while standing on the ground, you will also notice that it is standing stiff. 

Lack of appetite, vomiting

While standing, the dog’s back will also form the shape of the bow. You will also see a lack of willingness while consuming food. Your furry friend might even vomit all the food that it has been eating. When you notice any of these symptoms, check to confirm and then contact the closest veterinary clinic for treatment.  

How to Treat an Umbilical Hernia?

Smaller hernias heal on their own, while bigger ones may require surgery.

Small-sized hernias usually heal on their own. Hernias that are bigger require surgeries and medical attention. Surgery is done to close the opening on the dog’s body. 

In some cases, it has been seen that the dog is not dealing with any problems. If that is the case, then the doctor will keep it under the supervision and perform a different surgical procedure.  The surgery aims to keep all the tissues in their place, and after the surgery, you will find out that the opening gets sealed on its own. 

Can You Breed A Dog With An Umbilical Hernia

Can a Dog Breed While Dealing with Umbilical Hernia?

Umbilical hernia can be genetic. If so, you should avoid breeding.

If your pet dog is suffering from an umbilical hernia, problems arise because of it. You should consult a veterinary doctor before planning to breed your female pet dog. 

If the cause of umbilical hernia is not genetic, there are fewer threats to the puppies born. On the other hand, the risk increases when the reason behind this medical condition is hereditary. Hence, you should avoid breeding your dog until it suffers from an umbilical hernia.

Do Hernias Affect Pregnancy in Dogs?

No, smaller hernias will not impact pregnancy.

Hernia can be of different types. Umbilical hernia and inguinal hernias are capable of affecting a pregnant dog adversely. Adipose tissues usually form hernias, and because of this, they can harm the protective coverings around the fetus. 

Most studies show that a small-sized hernia is not that threatening compared to a large-sized hernia which can cause problems during pregnancy. 

Are Umbilical Hernias in Puppies Genetic?

In most cases, yes, but in some cases, it could also be due to an injury during birth.

In most cases, it has been seen that a puppy develops a hernia genetically, but in some puppies, a hernia develops because of a trauma that the little one has been through. 

Some dog breeds are predisposed to umbilical hernias, and the list includes Basenji, Airedales, Pekingese, and a few others. 

How Much Does It Cost To Fix an Umbilical Hernia in Dogs?

It can vary anywhere from $700 to $2,500 depending on where the hernia is.

If your dog is suffering from an umbilical hernia, you need to remove it from your dog’s body surgically. Well, the cost of hernia repair is quite expensive, and the price of the surgery varies depending on where the hernia has developed in the dog’s body. 

Simple cases of hernia repair cost approximately $700, whereas complex cases of hernia require close to $2500. This means the average charge for this surgery is $1600. 

Can You Breed A Dog With An Umbilical Hernia

Can a Dog Hernia Get Bigger?

Yes, it can grow over time.

The answer to this question is yes, the hernia in a dog’s body can grow over time. This happens because the muscles around the stomach and belly tend to get loose. 

More tissues start to form a bulge. And become weak because of the pressure given by the fat deposition seen in the case of hernia. 

Can You Push a Dog Hernia Back In?

No, you should not try to push it back in by yourself.

Irrespective of the type of hernia your dog is suffering from, you should get it treated at a veterinary clinic. The vet doctor will be able to push the hernia back in if it is reducible. 

If it is not possible to push the hernia back into the dog’s body, the fat tissue will get tapered outside of the stomach wall of your pet friend.

A Few Final Words

If you find out that your dog is suffering from an umbilical hernia, which is not genetic, you can choose to breed your female dog as there is no risk of transmission of the disease to the puppies. 

The most important thing that you need to remember is that no matter the reason behind the hernia in your dog’s body, you should always seek medical help. 

The vet will assess the condition correctly and ensure that the site where the hernia has occurred has been appropriately enclosed so that it does not cause any problem in the future. 

Can You Breed A Dog With An Umbilical Hernia

Thank you for reading the article, we hope we answered all your questions about umbilical hernia in dogs. You might also like to read about other medical conditions in dogs such as: Can Dogs Have Turrets and What To Expect After A Dog Enema?