Below we explain how umbilical hernia occurs in cats, how to recognize it and what to do to treat it.
What is an umbilical hernia?
The abdominal wall is normally completely closed. However, when your cat suffers from an umbilical hernia, there is a gap in her inner layer that allows the other layers of the abdominal wall to push out. In the case of larger gaps, parts of the intestine can even slip through the break and become trapped, which interrupts the blood flow to the intestine in the affected area.
In the case of umbilical hernias, a distinction is made between the book sac, the content of the hernia and the hernial orifice. The hernial sac is the typical bulge that occurs as a result of the umbilical hernia when the remaining abdominal wall layers push through the gap in the inner abdominal wall (hernial orifice). The tissue that collects in the hernial sac is called the hernia contents.
Causes of umbilical hernia in cats
The umbilical hernia in affected cats is usually present from birth. Normally, the mother cat bites off her newborn’s umbilical cord, and the gap this creates fills up over time. However, it can happen that this does not work as intended and the gap remains permanently, resulting in an umbilical hernia in the cat.
Umbilical hernias are rare in adult cats, and in these cases there is usually a genetic predisposition and weakness of the connective tissue. If this is the case, the cat may suffer an umbilical hernia, for example due to pregnancy or an injury.
How to recognize an umbilical hernia in your cat
An umbilical hernia in cats is quite obvious from the bulge that the hernial sac causes on the abdomen. Depending on the size of the gap, the size of the dent also varies, which can easily reach the dimensions of a walnut.
The umbilical hernia in a cat is not always visible at first glance. But even if the bump is covered when sitting and lying down, it can be easily felt. It’s usually firm and won’t slide back and forth.
In addition to the bulge, another sign of your cat’s umbilical hernia may also be a sagging abdomen due to the gap in the abdominal wall.
Umbilical hernia in cats: possible risks and course
An initially small umbilical hernia is basically not dangerous. However, there is a risk that the gap in the abdominal wall will increase, which is also encouraged in young cats, not least because of the growth.
Eventually, over time, a cat’s umbilical hernia can reach a size that allows parts of the intestine to slip through and become trapped. If this is the case, this is noticeable, among other things, by a lack of defecation and loss of appetite. Also, since the trapped bowel is painful, you will notice your cat slouching and tensing up.
When does a cat with an umbilical hernia need to go to the vet
As a rule, a cat with an umbilical hernia must always be treated by a veterinarian. However, as long as the fracture is still very small and the bulge on the stomach can be pressed in without any problems, you can wait and see how it develops. But at the latest when the bump is significantly enlarged or your cat is clearly suffering from pain due to the umbilical hernia, you should consult a veterinarian immediately.
Treatment of umbilical hernia in cats
To treat a cat’s umbilical hernia, the veterinarian must surgically close it. For this purpose, he first puts the cat under general anesthesia and opens its abdominal wall. Then the gap in the inner layer of the abdominal wall can be sewn up with self-dissolving threads and the outer abdominal wall can be closed again.
It takes between six and eight weeks for the gap in the inner abdominal wall layer to heal and for the threads to dissolve. Now the threads on the outer incision can also be removed and the cat should have survived its umbilical hernia.
As long as your cat’s umbilical hernia is still small and does not cause any symptoms, you can alternatively wait until the four-legged friend is to be neutered. When castrating female cats, the abdominal wall has to be opened even without an umbilical hernia. And even if hangovers only have their testicles removed, you can at least spare them an additional general anaesthetic.
covers the treatment costs
If your cat has to have an operation for an umbilical hernia, you have to reckon with high veterinary costs. The operation and the necessary preliminary and follow-up examinations can quickly result in a bill for several hundred euros for you.
You can protect yourself against these costs with a cat health insurance from . It’s best to calculate your premium today. Submit your insurance application to us and ensure you don’t have to worry about the cost of treating your cat in the future.