Surgical repair of incarcerated umbilical hernia in a white German Spitz

Abstract Background An umbilical hernia is common, but its incarcerated form is quite rare in dogs. An incarcerated hernia is characterized by the entrapment of herniated contents within the hernial sac, often accompanied by a constricted or narrower ring. It is usually refractory to the conservative approach, i.e., manual reduction, and surgical treatment is crucial to avert the risk of ischemia that can potentially lead to necrosis and gangrene in the involved tissues. Case presentation A 7-month-old female white German Spitz of 13.22 kg was presented with an ovoid swelling in the umbilicus, including a history of intermittent vomiting, progressive hyporexia, and weakness. Physical examinations led to a presumptive diagnosis of irreducible umbilical hernia after ultrasonography had shown a defect in abdominal wall continuity. Surgical intervention further confirmed an umbilical hernia with the incarceration of an omental flap. Herniorrhaphy was performed after resolving the incarceration and returning the content (i.e., omental flap) to the abdominal cavity. Postoperatively, supportive medications and routine care were provided. The external sutures were removed after two weeks, and periodic follow-ups revealed no complications. Ultrasonography was performed again on the 78th postoperative day, which indicated no breach in the abdominal wall integrity around the umbilicus. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first documented case of a successfully treated incarcerated umbilical hernia in a white German Spitz. Conclusions Umbilical hernias in young Spitz dogs can undergo incarceration over time if left untreated during the early stages. Meticulous diagnosis and specific treatment including surgical correction are essential for optimal outcome, avoiding further complications.