Hi Michaela- If you had your dog neutered already, I am surprised that your vet did not go ahead and fix it surgically regardless of you authorizing it. Typically it is done for the dog at the time of the spay/castration...and many owners are never the wary. <g>
That said, it is not a necessary surgery, in most cases. If there is only a small amount of fat popping through the area, causing a little ball of fat to be felt underneath the skin on the belly...then most vets will recommend either having it corrected at the spay/castration time, or leave it alone if the dog is not going to be neutered. Most dogs do just fine living with an umbilical hernia all their lives. IF the hernia is on the larger size (to be determined by your veterinarian), then they may recommend surgical repair regardless if the dog is to be neutered or not. Just depends on the size of the opening. Jennie Hoffnagle Glenmoore, PA
