What is a hernia?
A hernia is a tear or opening in the body wall that allows one part of the body to protrude through the tear/opening into another part of the body. Hernias may be present at birth or they may be caused by an injury. There are several kinds of hernias including diaphragmatic, hiatal, perineal, inguinal and umbilical.

diaphragmatic hernia:
A diaphragmatic hernia is a tear in the large muscle, called the diaphragm, that separates the chest area from the abdomen. This tear allows organs and tissue to encroach into the chest cavity.

hiatal hernia:
A hiatal hernia is an intrusion of stomach organs or tissue into the chest through the esophageal hiatus which is an opening in the diaphragm. This type of hernia may be constant or intermittent (coming and going). Hiatal hernias are somewhat more common in males than in females, and Chinese Shar-peis seem have an higher incidence of hiatal hernias.

perineal hernia:
A perineal hernia is an intrusion of your dog’s pelvic and/or abdominal organs or tissues (exs. bladder, rectum, prostate, small intestines) into the area around your dog’s  anus known as the perineum. This type of hernia is more common in male dogs, especially un-neutered males.

inguinal hernia:
An inguinal hernia is a type of hernia that occurs around the groin or inner portion of the rear leg. Within the groin there are naturally-occurring holes in the muscle tissue. These holes may become enlarged and allow a portion of the intestines to pass through. Inguinal hernias are more typically found in non-spayed or pregnant females. Male dogs who suffer from an inguinal hernia often also have cryptorchidism.  Certain breeds also seem to have a higher incidence of inguinal hernias. These breeds include Pomeranians, Maltese, and Basset Hounds.

umbilical hernia:
An umbilical hernia occurs when fat or a portion of the intestines protrude from the body wall at the location where your dog’s umbilical cord used to be (the belly button). An umbilical hernia is generally a congenital condition which means it is present at birth. In some cases, a mild umbilical hernia present at birth will close by the time the pup reaches 6 months old.

What will a hernia look like in my dog?

diaphragmatic hernia:
The most common symptom is difficulty breathing. The difficulty breathing is because other organs and/or tissue have moved into the diaphragm and taken up space normally used by the lungs. Sometimes, a cough or reduced exercise tolerance might also be apparent. Other symptoms, if present, depend upon which organs/tissues have encroached into the diaphragm and include vomiting, reduced hunger, diarrhea, constipation, swollen or distended stomach, and weight loss.  

hiatal hernia:
Symptoms of a hiatal hernia include difficulty breathing, vomiting (especially vomiting blood), regurgitation, and drooling. A potential complication for dogs with hiatal hernias is the development of aspiration pneumonia.

perineal hernia:
A perineal hernia appears as a bulge on either side of your dog’s anus. Other symptoms include straining to urinate, straining to defecate, and constipation.

inguinal hernia:
The most noticeable symptom of an inguinal hernia will likely be a soft lump or mass under the skin in your dog’s groin area. Other symptoms may include vomiting and abdominal pain.

umbilical hernia:
The most noticeable symptom will likely be a soft lump or mass in your dog’s belly button area.  Other symptoms include vomiting and abdominal pain.

How does my dog get a hernia?

Hernias may be the result of congenital defects or they may result from injuries such as a car accident or a fall. With umbilical hernias, however, the vast majority of cases are due to congenital defects.  

How is a hernia diagnosed?
In some cases, your vet will be able to observe the hernia when conducting a physical exam of your dog. In other cases, imaging techniques such as x-rays and ultrasound will be used to make the diagnosis.  

How is a hernia treated?
Hernias can be repaired surgically with the protruding contents being pushed back into place and the hole being closed up often either with sutures or by using a synthetic mesh to create a closure. For pups and young dogs, unless the hernia is causing great problems requiring immediate surgery, your vet might recommend performing the hernia repair surgery at the same time as your dog is spayed or neutered. It is also important to note that, in some cases, if the hernia is quite small and causing your dog no serious problems, your vet may choose to treat your dog’s hernia by controlling the symptoms through non-surgical means such as dietary changes and medication.

How is a hernia prevented?
The only means of prevention for hernias caused by injuries is to safeguard your dog from injuries. For congenital hernias, the best methods of prevention are to not breed a dog with a hernia and to not acquire a dog with a family history of congenital hernias.

Can I get a hernia from my dog?
No, you cannot contract a hernia from your dog.