Dog
Does a dog have a navel? How much we really know About our friend
Even if we think we know everything about our dog and the question may seem absurd. But does the dog have a navel? Let’s find out together.
How did the navel originate? Born from the umbilical cord, a small organic “tube” whose function is to transport oxygen and nutrients to the offspring during the gestation period. After birth, this tube-like, or the cord it is cut or falls within a few daysi, since his is no longer a necessary function.
The place where the cord was attached leaves a mark that we know as a navel. Not all animals have a navel and not all mammals maintain this part of the anatomy. Only the viviparous mammals of the placenta have a navel, among these are also included cetaceans such as dolphins and whales.
So like humans also this group of animals, when they are fetuses and are located inside the womb, they are fed with the necessary nutrients and oxygen through the umbilical cord, which connects them to the mother.
In mammals there are only a few exceptions of animals that do not have a navel, such as the platypus, which lays eggs and therefore does not have an umbilical cord or even marsupials such as koalas and kangaroos, which have an umbilical cord but come off when they are still inside the baby carrier, therefore scarring rarely occurs. But our question is but does the dog have a navel?
The truth is that although these animals have lived with humans for thousands of years and we know almost everything about our four-legged friends, there are still many people who don’t know if the dog has a navel or not. The answer is yes, but normally the dog’s navel is not visible due to the layer of hair that surrounds it.
That’s why many dog owners wonder if the dog has a belly button. After giving birth, the mother of the puppies gradually cuts the umbilical cord, in most cases by eating it. Then, the residue dries in the body of the puppies and then falls off, this process takes a few days.
The following weeks, the skin begins to heal to the point where it is difficult to locate the place where the cord was located. In some cases, it happens that the mother cuts the cord very close to the skin and this generates a wound. In this case, we recommend that you take the puppy to the vet immediately. As it will be necessary to determine if the lesion will heal on its own or if surgery will be needed.
The dog has a navel in the same place as humans. That is, between the genitals and the pectoral area. However, it is normal not to locate it with the naked eye, as it is normally covered by a thick layer of hair. Depending on the problems that occurred when the umbilical cord came off, the navel can be voluminous or “raised”. In these cases, its position will be much easier to locate.
Unfortunately, probable diseases such as hernias are linked to the navel of the dog. A hernia in the dog is formed when an organ or part of it expands out of the cavity that should contain it. That is, an internal content of the body, consisting mainly of muscle and fat, is oriented towards the outside.
This precipitation gives rise to smooth lumps, which are usually visible and soft to the touch. Hernias can develop in all regions of the body and depending on where it is located determines its name. The umbilical hernia, for example, appears in the navel. In addition, they can have different sizes and evolve according to the animal’s organism.
Anyhow, the intervention of a specialist and adequate treatment by the veterinarian is necessary. Hernias in dogs occur due to congenital defects or malformations, which are generated at the time of delivery. In these cases, they are called congenital hernias. During the dog’s pregnancy, the puppy receives all the nutrients through the umbilical cord and this also involves a bond to the mother’s organism.
Once the mother has given birth, she bites the cord, which leaves a wound that then heals. When this cavity does not close completely, this small space can allow the formation of an umbilical hernia. The lumps following an umbilical hernia can have different sizes and evolve in different ways in each animal.
Therefore, when a bump is observed on the dog’s body, it is advisable to go quickly to the veterinary clinic. When it comes to a puppy with a small hernia, the vet usually chooses to wait for the patient to turn six months old.
If the dog is more than six months old or already an adult, the treatment will fundamentally depend on the characteristics of the hernia. Many times hernias are not dangerous and do not pose a risk to animal health. In these cases, in addition to regular inspection, at the most, cosmetic surgery could be evaluated.