Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons
Yes, they do. There’s much more to a dog’s navel than meets the eye!
Dogs have belly buttons, just like all other mammals. The medical term for a belly button is an umbilicus. Only marsupials like the kangaroo and monotremes like the duck-billed platypus do not possess umbilici.
What is the belly button/umbilicus, exactly
It is an unsightly scar. The belly button is a residual scar. It’s where the placenta used to attach via the uterus, or womb, to the pup when it was still a developing and growing fetus.
The placenta is the most important organ for the pup during its growth in the mother’s womb. It provides nutrients and oxygen while removing waste. Once the dog has been delivered from the amniotic bag (the sac of fluid that surrounds and cushions the dog) and is no longer in the womb, the placenta becomes redundant. The pup’s lungs will expand to take over oxygen exchange while other changes are taking place that allow the dog to survive on its own.
The mother will then chew the remaining umbilical cord a few centimeters from the pup’s belly. The cord’s remnants will dry up, contract, and fall off over the next few days.
What does it look like, exactly
Owners may have overlooked the presence of an umbilicus on their dog. They are usually less visible on dogs than they are on humans for various reasons. The umbilici are generally flat and smaller than the dog’s size. Also, fur usually grows over them. Sometimes, the scar will remain bald, or hairs may fan out in a rosette pattern.
Umbilical hernias are something I’ve heard about. What are they exactly
Umbilical Hernias can be easily identified as a bump or swelling in the area of the umbilicus on the underbelly ( See below). They can vary in size (from 1-4cm) but are also soft.
Hernias are usually caused by the abdominal muscles not healing properly. Instead of the forces fusing properly, a hole with varying sizes remains. This acts as a gap that tissues like fat or intestines can poke through.
Hernias that are reducible or non-reducible have a key characteristic. A reducible hernia allows the majority of the swelling to be pushed into the abdominal cavity. Non-reducible, on the other hand, means that there’s a partial obstruction to the hibernating tissues, so the hernia stays the same size. Hernia contents cannot be returned to the abdominal cavity.
It is important to consult your veterinarian if you notice an umbilical hernia so that any complications resulting from the hernia can be addressed promptly.
What causes umbilical hernias
The exact cause and incidence of umbilical hernias are still unknown.
However, a sometimes increased incidence within a single family line does suggest the possibility of an inherited predisposition. It can happen in certain purebred dog breeds. Sometimes, an umbilical hematoma can be found sporadic and incidentally in a pup. These are likely to occur as a result of a spontaneous issue during development.
Vets and breeders sometimes disagree on how to distinguish a true hernia of the umbilicus from a “delayed closing” of it.
While a hernia is a real condition, a “hole” as well as a palpable tissue ring are both felt. With delayed closure, however, neither the crew nor the hole can be supposed. The theory is that a small amount (of fat or omentum, the double layer of fatty tissues that support the abdominal organs) slipped through a hole in the wall of the body and that the gap was then closed as best as possible. It is possible to feel the small amount of herniated contents, but there is no hole!
What is the likelihood of a hernia being large? This affects its significance
The size of umbilical hernias can vary, but the majority are small (1cm).
A large hernia can be more concerning than a smaller one, as it has the potential for more abdominal contents to herniate. If the small intestine is able to pass through the hole, it can cause severe and sudden consequences.
Can my vet detect an umbilical hernia
Your vet will perform a complete clinical examination when a puppy comes in for its first visit. At this age, your vet will be looking for any developmental or congenital signs.
In addition to feeling for umbilical hernias in the dog, jaw alignment, hard palate deformities, confirmation of eye and ear defects, cardiac auscultation, and descent of testicles are also assessed.
How should I treat my dog’s umbilical hernia
First, it’s probably best to avoid breeding your animal if you suspect that a genetic problem has contributed to the hernia.
Second, if the hernia is small and has not healed or closed spontaneously by the time the neutering takes place, it can be repaired surgically at the same moment. The fibrous scar tissue that surrounds the hernia is removed, and sutures are then placed to close the defect. The success rates are high, and complications are very rare.
