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Treatment
Treatment of an umbilical hernia involves surgical correction of the opening and replacement of abdominal contents if necessary. Some umbilical hernias will, however, close spontaneously, usually by 6 months of age.
Small umbilical hernias may not need surgical correction but larger hernias should be repaired to remove the risk of complications.
Prevention
Because many umbilical hernias are hereditary, pets with these hernias should not be bred.
umbilicus
The spot in the wall of the abdomen in which the umbilical cord connects with the fetus; may also be referred to as the navel.
hernia
The condition of having a part of a body part protruding through the tissue that would normally cover it
abdominal cavity
The space in the abdomen that holds the major digestive organs in an animal. Normally referred to as the area between the diaphragm and the pelvis. Also referred to as the peritoneal cavity.