Cat Ailments A to Z - Umbilical Hernia

Yes!

All mammals have them. 

The belly button, also called the umbilicus, is where the umbilical cord attaches when the kitten is a fetus in its mother’s uterus. 

The umbilical cord goes between the fetus’s belly button and the mother’s placenta. 

In the fetus, the belly button is an open hole that allows the blood vessels inside of the umbilical cord to enter the fetus’s body. 

This is how the mother supplies the fetus with nutrients.

This hole - The umbilical ring- naturally closes after birth.

At least it's suppose to.

After a few days, the umbilical cord naturally falls off.

 A normal kitten belly without a hernia will show little to no sign of a belly button.

Just a cute belly. 

 

  A Hernia is a condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through the wall of the cavity containing it.
An Umbilical Hernia is a protrusion of the abdominal lining, abdominal fat or a portion of abdominal organ(s) through the area around the umbilicus (navel or belly button)


These types of hernias can be considered complicated or uncomplicated. 

An Umbilical Hernia that is considered complicated - contents of the abdominal cavity have passed through the opening and have become entrapped. For example the intestine.  This is the more concerning of the two. 

An uncomplicated Umbilical Hernia - appears as a soft swelling or bulge beneath the skin around the area of the kittens belly button. It may come and go and often does not appear to be causing much distress.

Umbilical Hernias are generally fixed when the animal goes in to get spayed or neutered.
It is important to allow your vet to check over the kitten to make sure it is an uncomplicated hernia vs a complicated hernia which could be more problematic.

Since there are other types of Hernias - it is best to not assume you know what you are feeling on your pets belly - get it checked out.




PetPlace
VCA Animal Hospitals
PetMD