Spleen Removal in Dogs

The spleen is an organ that performs many important functions in the dog's body. However, dogs that have their spleen removed usually recover and live a normal life. Dogs may need to have their spleen removed because of trauma or a medical condition such as a tumor. This procedure is known as a splenectomy.

  1. Identification

    • The spleen is an organ that is deep red and supplied by many blood vessels. The spleen is long and wide and shaped like a tube. It is located in the upper abdomen near the stomach, depending on the fullness of the stomach and the size of the organs that are in close proximity to the spleen. A splenectomy may be necessary if the spleen becomes damaged or diseased.

    Causes

    • Splenic tumors are a cause of the removal of the spleen in dogs. Certain breeds, such as the German shepherd, are predisposed to a certain type of tumor known as hemangiosarcoma. Splenic tumors may also develop in older dogs. Another cause of spleen removal in dogs is splenic torsion. This condition is most often seen in large and giant breeds. The spleen may rupture if the dog experiences trauma, such as being hit by a car or getting kicked in the abdomen. A ruptured spleen must be removed because it can cause internal bleeding.

    Diagnosis

    • According to Petplace.com, there are a number of diagnostic tests that may be used to determine if your dog's spleen must be removed. These may include a CBC (complete blood count), examination of a blood smear, abdominal X-rays, an abdominal ultrasound and a biopsy of the spleen. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform exploratory surgery in order to determine if the spleen is healthy. If the spleen must be removed, it is usually done during this surgery.

    Treatment

    • If your dog's spleen has already ruptured, he may need to be stabilized with IV fluids, steroids, oxygen and blood transfusions. Once the dog is stable enough for anesthesia, the splenectomy is performed. After the dog's spleen is removed, the veterinarian will examine it to determine the cause of disease. If the spleen was removed because of a splenic tumor, chemotherapy may also be performed in the months following surgery. This is only done if the splenic tumor was found to be malignant (cancerous).

    Considerations

    • While the spleen is an important organ, your dog can live without it. Most dogs that undergo surgery to remove the spleen go on to live normal lives. Be sure to follow all of your veterinarian's instructions after the dog undergoes surgery. Most veterinarians recommend restricting your dog's activity for one to two weeks following surgery.