Your cat's spleen is an important part of a healthy, well-functioning circulation system. The organ produces and stores blood cells, and filters out particles and old or abnormal blood cells from circulation.
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Enlarged Spleen
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One of the most common signs of ill health is an enlarged spleen. It signals a variety of diseases and infections, and may be a side effect of some medications or food your cat is consuming.
Trauma or Injury
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Abdominal trauma from such things as being hit by a car, getting kicked or falling from a great height can injure the spleen and cause bleeding.
Splenic Torsion
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Torsion occurs when the veins of the spleen become twisted and the organ grows in size because of an excessive amount of blood within it. This is very painful and the spleen will eventually die within the cat.
Mast Cell Tumors
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Mast cell tumors can occur anywhere within your cat's body, however the cause of these tumors is unknown. As with many diseases, the spleen will become enlarged and may be painful for your cat.
Cancer
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Spleen cancer is relatively rare in cats. Medically known as hemangiosarcoma, spleen cancer accounts for only 2 percent of all cancers found in cats.
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