What Function Does the Spleen Perform in the Canine Body?

The spleen is a filtering organ common to almost all vertebrates. The canine spleen is a long, tubular organ located in the upper abdomen. It has two main sections, the white pulpy section and the red pulpy section. Each section has a different function. The spleen is not essential for life, but it does play an important role in a number of important bodily functions.

  1. Red Blood Cell Production and Storage

    • The red pulp section of the spleen is responsible for red blood cell production. This function is additional to the function of the bone marrow, the primary source of red blood cells. The red blood cells produced in the spleen are stored until required by the canine immune system. Red blood cells are essential for delivering oxygen to the organs. Only when there is a shortage of red blood cells, for example due to inhibited bone marrow function, do the splenic blood cells enter the blood stream.

    Platelet Storage

    • Platelets are primarily produced by bone marrow. The function of platelets is to enable clotting. Without sufficient platelets, your dog is at risk of internal bleeding. The spleen creates reserve platelets that enter circulation only when called upon by the immune system.

    Blood Filtration

    • The spleen removes bacteria and dead blood cells from the bloodstream. Blood passes through the spleen as part of its journey through the circulatory system. The spleen retains and destroys old blood cells. The liver is the primary filtration organ in the canine body, performing general and essential cleaning of the blood and production of urine. The spleen acts as ̶0;backup̶1; to the liver, becoming active when the liver is inhibited. If your dog has liver problems, such as shunts or copper storage disease, a condition common in German shepherds and Labradors, spleen function will increase to compensate. The liver will assume the function of the spleen if the spleen is removed or functionally inhibited. If a dog has had his spleen removed, for example due to cancer, liver disease becomes significantly more difficult to treat.

    Antibody Synthesis

    • In the white, pulpy section of the spleen, antibodies are created. This is an important but noncrucial function of the immune system. The production of antibodies enables the dog to fight off infections. Without a spleen, your dog is more prone to picking up potentially fatal infections such as distemper and parvovirus. This is because the immune system, while functioning, is weaker than normal; and such infections typically afflict dogs with inhibited immune function.