Splenectomy

There are several diseases of the spleen that can require removal of the spleen. The spleen functions as a source of blood storage, blood formation and blood filtration. Removal of the spleen has minimal impact on adult dogs and cats, leaving them with normal function after surgery. Diseases and conditions of the spleen include tumors and splenic torsion. Tumors can either be benign or malignant. Torsion occurs when the spleen twists along the axis of its blood supply which restricts the flow of blood. The result is like a balloon filling up slowly with water. The spleen becomes very large due to engorgement with blood. This condition is very painful and makes the pet very ill. Clinical signs of splenic disease are pale gums, weakness, loss of appetite and distention of the abdomen. Many patients exhibit signs of shock (pale gums, low blood pressure, etc) and need to be hospitalized right away and stabilized with I.V. fluids and possible blood transfusions. Diagnostic tests are performed such as chemistry profiles, complete blood count and x-rays. Special attention is paid to the heart rhythms, since nearly half of all dogs having disease of the spleen have abnormal heart beats or "arrythmias". Once the patient is stable, exploratory abdominal surgery is performed to examine the internal organs. If hemorrhage has occurred, the blood is evacuated.



The spleen and other organs are evaluated and the spleen is removed. It is common for the surgeon to take a biopsy sample of the liver and the spleen to send to the laboratory for evaluation. Surgery can be curative if the disease is benign. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common type of splenic tumor and is highly malignant and metastatic (cancer cells spread to other parts of the body like the heart, lungs and liver via the blood stream.)