Can a dog live without a spleen? The answer is yes! As integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains, while the spleen has many important roles in the body, it isn’t necessary for survival. Dr. Buzby also helps ease the minds of dog parents whose beloved pup is facing a splenectomy by discussing why dogs might need a splenectomy and what to expect after the surgery.
No dog parent ever wants to hear from their veterinarian that their dog needs to go to surgery, especially for an emergency procedure. And if you were told that a major internal organ needed to be removed from your dog it may be especially overwhelming and scary! However, if your dog needs to have his spleen removed (a surgical procedure called a splenectomy) the good news is that dogs can not only survive—but also thrive in many cases—without a spleen.
But before we dive into the “whys” and “what to expects” of splenectomies, let’s take a closer look at this marvelous organ.
Where is a dog’s spleen?
Your dog’s spleen is located in the center of the abdomen, directly underneath the curve of his or her stomach. Shape-wise, it can resemble the Nike “swoosh” logo. It has a thicker “head” closely associated with the curved bottom of the stomach. Then there is a thinner “tail” that is more freely movable and drops down against the small intestine.
Cats and dogs have significantly larger spleens than people. In fact, the spleen can weigh up to 10 pounds in a large dog! Since the spleen is large, it is one of the organs that vets will attempt to palpate (i.e. feel) during a physical examination. This allows the vet to potentially note any abnormalities in size, shape, or texture.
What does the spleen do?
The spleen is a fascinating structure with lots of important functions relating to circulation, and it has a vast network of blood vessels flowing into and out of the organ. In many ways, the spleen serves as a “quality control agent” for the blood moving throughout the body. Some of the jobs of the spleen include:
Storing red blood cells
In instances where your dog may require a sudden influx of blood to support circulation, the splenic muscles can contract. When this happens, millions of extra, lifesaving red blood cells are released like squeezing a soaked sponge. This may occur in cases of hemorrhage (i.e. profuse blood loss), trauma, or even stress.
Culling defective cells
Your dog’s spleen has the ability to scrutinize the circulating red blood cells as they pass through the organ and eliminate cells from circulation that do not meet certain requirements. As many as 10% of red cells produced by the bone marrow are “faulty” or unable to survive normal circulation due to abnormal size or shape. Additionally, the body needs a way to remove old red blood cells from circulation.
If these abnormal cells are not culled (i.e. removed) by the spleen, they can cause clumping and blood clots in the blood vessels. This would be problematic for the dog.
When the splenic cells encounter a damaged or abnormal red blood cell, they can capture it and recycle the iron held inside. This preserves essential nutrients for the body.
Removing infectious particles from cells
Your dog’s spleen has the ability to recognize red blood cells that have an infection in the cytoplasm (i.e. jelly-like cell interior). Then it can remove a solid particle from the cell without destroying the cell itself. This process is called “pitting” and it can be a great way to remove red blood cell parasites.
Sometimes after the spleen pits a red blood cell, the cell is too damaged to function correctly. In that case, the spleen will then cull the red blood cell.
Fighting infection
In addition to storing red blood cells, the spleen is part of the immune system. It contains a lymphatic system. Thus, it can function as a very large lymph node. It houses lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) that will produce infection-fighting antibodies in response to signals carried in with the blood flow. Other sites in the body can recruit these lymphocytes to respond to the infection as needed.
Can a dog live without a spleen?
After reading the list of all the wonderful things the spleen does, it can be easy to wonder how a dog can live without a spleen. The good news is that many other organs can “pick up the slack” after a splenectomy. The dog may be slightly immunosuppressed compared to a dog who still has a spleen. Usually this doesn’t significantly impact quality of life.
There is a caveat to that statement, though. Sometimes the condition that made the splenectomy necessary can have significant effects on quality of life or life expectancy. This is especially the case if the dog needed a splenectomy due to spleen cancer.
What are the signs of a spleen problem?
With all those functions, it seems that the warning signs indicating something has gone wrong with the spleen would be obvious. However, the signs of splenic dysfunction or injury can sometimes be vague or difficult to spot. Here are a few warning signs that may indicate a splenic problem:
- Swollen abdomen
- Fatigue or a lethargic dog
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness or collapse
- Pale gum color
- Weight loss
If you notice any of these symptoms, especially if they come on suddenly, call your vet ASAP or head to the nearest emergency hospital for an emergency vet visit for your dog.
How is a spleen problem diagnosed?
The veterinarian will start by assessing your dog and stabilizing him or her with life-saving therapies if needed. Then the doctor will most likely perform a full physical examination. Part of that involves attempting to “feel” the spleen through the body wall. In doing so, he or she may be able to note changes in the spleen that would warrant further assessment.
Your vet also will often recommend blood work to check for inflammation and anemia. Because the spleen is such a vascular organ, splenic disease or injury can cause internal bleeding. This can rapidly lead to severe, or sometimes fatal, anemia (i.e. low red blood cell numbers). The veterinarian may also recommend advanced imaging in the form of abdominal X-rays or abdominal ultrasound.
Based on that information, the vet will develop a plan for your dog. Sometimes this may involve additional diagnostics. Other times, your vet may need to break the news to you that your dog needs a splenectomy.
Why might a dog need a splenectomy?
There are multiple issues that may necessitate the removal of your dog’s spleen. Your veterinarian may recommend a splenectomy if they suspect or diagnose one of the following conditions:
Splenic mass
Abnormal cell growth on or within the spleen (i.e. a splenic tumor) means that the spleen may no longer function properly. This also puts the spleen at risk for rupture, which is life-threatening. Both benign and malignant masses can rupture and bleed so the presence of bleeding can’t distinguish between the two. While a fine needle aspiration (FNA) or the ultrasound may give clues about the identity of the mass, a splenic biopsy is the most definitive way to reach a diagnosis.
However, removing just a piece of the spleen for a biopsy can be dangerous. Plus, the dog may still require a splenectomy at a later date if the mass is cancerous or ruptures.
So in many cases, the vet will recommend a splenectomy. Then he or she can submit the entire spleen to the pathologist to reach a final diagnosis. Occasionally, if the vet suspects the mass is benign and not bleeding, he or she will recommend frequent monitoring of the mass via ultrasound instead of going right to a splenectomy.
Benign splenic masses in dogs include hemangiomas and splenic hematomas. Dogs may also have malignant splenic masses such as hemangiosarcoma in dogs, mast cell tumors, or lymphoma in dogs. If the mass ends up being benign, removal of the spleen is curative.
However, with a malignant mass, the dog may need additional therapy such as chemotherapy to address tumor metastasis (i.e. spread to other organs). Some dogs may also benefit from Yunnan Baiyao for dogs, a Traditional Chinese Medicine that can reduce bleeding.
Splenic rupture
Sometimes a splenic mass remains hidden until it ruptures and bleeds. Additionally, trauma (i.e. a horse kick, being hit by car, a fall, etc.), may cause the spleen to rupture and hemorrhage internally. This is a medical emergency and time is of the essence. However, the hard part is that you may not initially realize what is going on. In these cases, sometimes the only clinical signs you may see are weakness and pale gums.
Splenic torsion
This condition occurs when the spleen twists upon itself and its vessels. It can happen on its own or in conjunction with a gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Sometimes when the stomach flips in a GDV, it takes the spleen along with it since the spleen attaches along the bottom of the stomach. Splenic torsion occurs predominantly in large, deep-chested dogs such as Great Danes and Shepherds. Additionally, being nervous or anxious may predispose dogs to this condition.
Splenic infection
Because of its high level of circulation, the spleen can suffer from bacterial infections or abscesses in the splenic tissue. If antibiotics are insufficient for controlling this level of infection, the vet may recommend a splenectomy.
What is recovery like after a splenectomy?
Because the spleen is such an important internal organ, your veterinarian will not take the decision to remove it lightly. Following surgery, you should have a discharge appointment. This is the time to ask questions. That way you can feel confident about the home-care plan that will help your dog recover best. Every situation is different, but these are some of the things you could potentially expect during and after your dog’s spleen is removed:
Potential for a blood transfusion
Prior to surgery, your veterinarian may opt to cross-match your dog with a blood donor that they will have available to give a supportive blood transfusion for dogs. Because the spleen is such a highly vascular organ, removing it removes a lot of blood volume from your dog. Additionally, if your dog is already anemic from a splenic rupture or hemorrhage, he or she would probably benefit from a transfusion. This can help maintain circulation and blood flow to the organs.
Hospitalization
Following surgery, your dog may go home the same day. Alternatively, he or she may need to stay hospitalized with supportive care for many days afterward. The vet will most likely send the spleen off for pathologic analysis. That way he or she knows the type of tumor (if there was one) or what processes were going on in the spleen. This information allows your vet to create a medical management plan going forward.
Wearing the E-collar
Perhaps most importantly, your dog needs to wear the E-collar that the vet will send home with him or her. This can help prevent your dog from licking the incision or pulling out the sutures. Let me say it again—it is imperative that you keep the collar on your dog for as long as your vet instructs.
Otherwise, you may come home to find that your dog has preemptively removed the sutures or created an infection in the surgery site. Both of those scenarios could necessitate a second surgery. Post-operative complications are almost always related to improper use of E-collars at home. So keep that collar on!
Incision care and appearance
Because of the large size of the canine spleen, you may note that your dog looks significantly thinner after surgery. Don’t worry—this is normal. He or she also will have a fairly long abdominal incision that is closed with sutures or staples. Your dog may need to return to the clinic approximately 10 days after surgery for a staple or suture removal. In the meantime, the incision line must stay clean and dry at home.
If the incision starts to come apart, looks inflamed, begins to drain excessively, or you have any other concerns about how your dog is looking or acting during the healing process, contact your veterinarian.
Rest
When you bring your dog home, he or she should stay on the dog version of “bed rest” for 10 to 14 days. This means that your dog is not allowed to jump on or off furniture, play with housemates, or go on long walks. When you take your dog outside to go to the bathroom, he or she must be on a leash. This allows you to restrict him or her from running or jumping.
Keep in mind that not only is your dog recovering from major abdominal surgery, but he or she is also trying to replace the lost blood volume. Excessive movement can damage the fragile healing tissues. Plus, your dog may not have the red blood cell reserves to support much activity.
Long-term monitoring
Following a successful splenectomy, most dogs can resume normal lives after a two to three week healing period. Depending on the type of injury or disease process in the spleen, your veterinarian may recommend frequent follow up visits. For example, dogs with a malignant splenic tumor may need screening bloodwork or imaging (ultrasound or X-ray) to check for metastasis of any cancerous cells.
Life without a spleen is still a great life!
Despite serving so many important functions for the body, a dog doesn’t actually need a spleen. As long as your dog is otherwise healthy, he or she can continue to live a full and active life after the splenectomy recovery period. Dogs who have a malignant tumor may eventually succumb to their disease. But they can still have a bit more time to make memories with their family.
I understand it can be difficult to face the idea of your dog losing his or her spleen. But sometimes it is life saving. And it doesn’t have to be life altering. Maybe a splenectomy will give your dog many more good years. Or, perhaps it will buy him or her several more wonderful weeks or months. Either way, keep in mind that dogs can survive and thrive without a spleen. There is hope, even when facing a scary situation like a splenectomy.
Has your beloved companion had a splenectomy?
Please share his or her story and any words of advice or encouragement below.
My 13 y/o German Shepard had a massive tumor on his spleen, causing it to rupture about a month ago. Thankfully, we were able to get him to the vet in time and they were able to successfully remove the organ and discover there was no other growths during surgery. Somehow, the tumor wasn’t cancerous, but I wasn’t told exactly what it was comprised of. I have a sneaking suspicion it was a limpoma due to the fact that he has multiple lumps already that have been tested and diagnosed as such on his skin. My question is, now that his spleen has been removed and he has recovered, what can I do to make sure he stays as healthy as possible? I am definitley concerned for blood clots and infections, but he’s also an old man. What are some steps I can take to ensure I have proper preventative measures in place?
Hi Nicole,
I am so glad your boy’s surgery was a success and that the pathology showed the tumor was not cancerous! I am not aware of lipomas occurring in the spleen but of course can’t say for sure what type of mass was present. Since the absence of a spleen causes a mild decrease in immune system function, I highly recommend you keep your pup well vaccinated and be on the lookout for places that are high risk for sharing viruses/diseases (dog parks, boarding, grooming facilities, etc.). Other than that, your boy should have a good prognosis and continue living his best life. Best wishes and give your big guy a hug for me!
I just found out my 8yr old golden retriever needs his spleen and gallbladder removed. They found a large abscess in the spleen and the gallbladder has thickness. My local vet no longer does gallbladder surgery so we’ll need to go to another city. If we do the surgery will my baby have a good life? Or am I just prolonging his pain in order to keep him with me as long as possible?
Hi Christina,
I am sorry your Golden is facing this uncertain future. Unfortunately, there is no way to know what the long-term prognosis will be at this point. The recovery process from these surgeries is a little risky and it would be good to send off the spleen for pathology to review to ensure there is no evidence of cancer. Proceeding with surgery may be the best option but if you decide you would rather pursue palliative care that is always ok! I hope you can find the advice you need to feel confident moving forward. Wishing you all the best and praying for a positive outcome.
My female Labrador, 10 yo was acting weird, she seemed to have a problem with digestion. Threw up food from a day ago so I took her to the vet. Took X-rays and found a tumor size of mango attached to her spleen. It turned out it was benign so we had her spleen removed in November. She was 96lb before the surgery now she’s 83lb. I feel her ribs. She’s been a big girl so I’m a bit concerned the way she’s losing weight. I’ve read that’s somewhat common (the whole spleen and tumor looked like 10lb, it was huge.) So maybe that’s normal but as she’s always being a big dog (almost intimidating big as she’s black and looks like Rottweiler a bit) she shows her belly and sooo flat. Is there any supplements like iron pills or something to help her generate blood cells or that’s completely unnecessary?
Hi Michelle,
I understand your concern for your senior girl. What a blessing the surgery was successful, and her tumor was benign! I am not sure any medication is needed to help with red blood cell (RBC) production as there are other sites of RBC production in the body besides the spleen. Has your girl had any lab work recently to make sure her blood cell counts look stable? As always, make sure you keep your vet up to date on any changes you notice. It is better to act quickly and catch things early. Best wishes to you and your pup.
My 5 year old Great Dane had his spleen removed due to a ruptured tumour two weeks ago. The tumour is a hemangiosarcoma. He picked up kennel cough at the vet. He is not eating. He is panting and his breathing is shallow. What is his prognosis for a recovery from the kennel cough? Is it better to euthanise? 😢
Hi Helga,
I am sorry your Dane is in such a difficult situation. Was the kennel cough diagnosed by your vet? The reason I ask is panting and shallow breathing are not usually symptoms of kennel cough, but these can by symptoms of progression of hemangiosarcoma. Here are links to other articles with more information:
1. Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
2. When To Euthanize A Dog With Hemangiosarcoma: A Vet’s Guidance
I am very concerned that something else is contributing to your boy’s diminished condition. I highly recommend you contact your vet right away and see if they need to schedule a follow up exam. Hoping for the best and praying for a positive outcome.
Our 10 yr old Blue Nose Pitty was recently diagnosed with a mass after collapsing 3 weeks ago. Vet at first thought arthritis, but after the x ray, she saw the mass. we did the ultrasound, and the Nu-Q blood test to find out if it cancerous. The blood test came back benine and after 3 weeks of being patient and watching over our Buddha, hes got his energy back, he eats very well. wants to go on long walks and otherwise not acting like anything bothers him. We still are in the process of trying to get questions answered about the surgery.i just don’t know what to do. I have a hard time with having surgery done, mostly because of his age, I don’t know what the odds are. (he is 10. and weighs 105 lbs) he’s a big guy, tall, not like most Pitbulls. I just want my guy to have the best outcome, and best life. Kinda hoping for some advice.
Hi Misty,
What a scary few weeks you have had with your Pitty. I’m thankful that he is doing well now, but understand how that can make it extra difficult to weigh the risks and benefits of surgery. If you haven’t already, it may be helpful to have a consultation with a veterinary surgeon. These surgery specialists are the experts when it comes to performing higher-risk surgeries, and they often work in locations that also have board-certified anesthesiologists. This combination of a soft tissue surgeon and an anesthesiologist on the case can go far in minimizing risks. And since they frequently perform splenectomies (and other surgeries) they would be able to provide you with a very good idea of the risks and benefits in your pup’s particular situation. I’ll attach an article below that discusses veterinary specialists in a bit more detail so you can see how having them as part of your dog’s healthcare team can be helpful.
If that isn’t an option for you for whatever reason, scheduling an appointment with your regular vet (assuming he or she is comfortable doing the splenectomy) to discuss the odds could also be a great way to get answers. I wish I could give you a more specific answer, but without knowing more details about the tumor and your dog’s health, and being able to look at him myself, I don’t have enough information to give you a solid answer.
I hope that the discussion with the surgeon (or your regular vet) is fruitful and that you are able to find clear answers about how best to proceed.
Here is the link:
How Do I Find Veterinary Specialists Near Me and What Do They Do?
my 10-year-old pittie mix had an ultrasound today and it showed a splenic nodule. They did an aspiration of it and I’m waiting on the results. If it is benign, do you still recommend a splenectomy because of possibility of rupture or do you just leave it alone? He is healthy and doing well otherwise. That’s why this news of a nodule is shocking.
He’s never had any health issues ever. This ultrasound was a follow up appointment for some vomiting that happened over the summer which has ceased. I will discuss with my vet when the results come back but what is your opinion? Thank you.
Hi Jennifer,
I am sorry you are facing this unknown path with your senior guy. What a blessing the nodule was found so early, allowing you to make some choices about how to proceed. If the results are benign, it may be ok to wait and monitor the nodule for growth. Of course, this comes with the risk that the nodule may grow rapidly between ultrasound scans. Also, an aspirate may not offer a definitive diagnosis. Many times, a definitive diagnosis cannot be made without removing the spleen and submitting it to the lab for evaluation. I tend to lean towards splenectomy but understand this isn’t best for every case. Here are some links to other articles with more information:
1. Enlarged Spleen in Dogs: 7 Causes
2. Splenic Masses in Dogs: Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
3. Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
Hoping you can find the advice you need to navigate the tricky road ahead. Wishing you all the best and praying for a positive outcome.
It’s 2am and I’m sitting in the waiting room of a emergency Vet hospital to discuss options after finding a tumor/mass and some bleeding in my 8yr old Black Mouth Cur mix. My priority is giving my pup, Reggie, a chance to keep living a happy life and may that be for a while longer. I truly appreciate reading all these comments and this page to understand what all of this means. I’m pretty confident with deciding to proceed with surgery to give him a fighting chance. Up until the last 24 hours he was an excited, healthy boy.. I want to give us a chance to conquer a pup bucket list and I’m hoping for the opportunity to do so. – Elyssa 💕
Dear Elyssa,
My heart goes out to you as you navigate this tricky path ahead. I hope the surgery was a success and Reggie’s recovery is going smoothly. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Wishing you both the best for many happy days ahead.
My 9 year old Pembroke Welsh corgi had a splenectomy at the end of June because of a benign mass that was about to rupture. Post splenectomy she was very ill with a fever of unknown origin and we were lucky she survived. My understanding is that without your spleen (all animals including humans) you are more susceptible to bacterial infections. What are reasonable measures to take to prevent infections? I compete in dog sports and am concerned about having either her or my other dog pick something up out in the world in general or at a dog event. I don’t want to live out life in a bubble, but would like to mitigate the risks. Thoughts?
Hi Sue,
I understand your concern for your Corgi and think it is great you are taking such a cautious approach. You are correct that your pup will be at a higher risk for infection. Your best bet is to make sure your other dog is up to date on vaccinations and is as protected as possible. This way there is less risk of your other dog brining something home that could cause an issue. Herd health works! You want to play it safe, but your girl also needs to be able to live a full life and do what brings her joy. Try not to let worry overcome you. Wishing you and your sweet girl the best for many happy years ahead.
My dog had his spleen removed in 2019 and it was benign – he was 11 years old at that time. He recovered quickly but his health also deteriorated very fast after 1 year – he developed urinary incontinence and had black flaky scabs on his body which bleeds when attempted to peel them off. He passed away in 2022.
Dear Vin,
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved pup last year. I am glad you gained 3 extra years of quality time with him after his surgery. May his memory live on and be a blessing in your life.
Hi, My 12 year old Catahoula mix had a splenectomy with a blood transfusion, about a month and a half ago. Biopsy revealed no cancer. She recovered quickly and seemed to be her old self for about a month then she kinda suddenly got very weak and lethargic. Our vet said she was just very anemic and gave us a Chinese herbal remedy call yunnan baiyao. She has had a few doses, not as much as he recommended, but still daily. She seems to be worse with a distended belly and is not pooping so much.
I am worried and my vet is very busy. The nearest emergency vet is 3 hours away.
Hi Mary,
I am very concerned about the symptoms you are describing. Of course, without examining your dog myself, I can’t be sure if this is a true emergency situation or not. I like to err on the side of caution when dealing with possible internal bleeding. I highly recommend you have your girl evaluated ASAP even if that means a trip to the vet ER. Praying your sweet girl is ok. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
My dog had septic peritonitis when she was 18 mos old and had to have her spleen removed (as well as ileocolic junction resection). She is now 14 years old, and is still going strong!
Hi Cynthia,
Wow! What an amazing pup! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Hi Mary,
My shiba just got his spleen remove 2 months ago. He got a 10cm benign tumor near his spleen and must have had it all remove. I’m so worried that without spleen he won’t live long. I’m so very happy to have seen your post. How did you take care of her? What kind of dog food is she having? I’m so sorry to have to bother you. Hope you can reply. Thanks! I’m Elles from Hong Kong.
Hi Elles,
I am sorry your Shiba has been through so much over the last few months. I did want to let you know that it seems as though you accidentally replied to Cynthia instead of Mary. If you have a chance, try finding the reply link just below Mary’s comment and try to post your question again. I will also leave a reply for Mary letting her know you were trying to reach out and make her aware of where your comment is located. Best wishes and take care!
Did you have to change her food ?
My corgi had her spleen removed about 9 days ago along with a blood transfusion. She is doing absolutely amazing and I could not be happier I still have her. The only thing is, she’s been having accidents. This has never ever happened with her before. Is this due to the surgery? We have a follow up appointment with her primary vet in a few days.
Hi Chrissy,
What a blessing the surgery was successful, and your girl is recovering so well! I wouldn’t expect urinary incontinence to be a complication of this type of procedure. Is your pup taking any medications? If her treatment plan includes steroids, then these medications could cause the side effects you describe. I think it would be a good idea to talk to your vet about these worrisome urinary issues. They may want to do an exam and make sure nothing else is contributing to your pup’s problem. Wishing you both the best and praying your sweet girl will be back to normal in no time.
Hi my Maya has two tumors in her spleen one day a large her doctor said it be best to remove but he doesn’t do transfusions and that has me worry, she is been treated for water in lung and he said her heart is weak I am worry of her going to surgery with out having a transfusion, today the doc check her and the lungs are better time is of essence , thank you
Hi Demetrio,
I understand your concern for Maya and what a difficult choice you are facing. I wish I knew what was best or could guide you through this process. Unfortunately, I am not sure how you should proceed. This is when you have to lean on your veterinarian’s advice and expertise and follow your heart. You know your girl better than anyone. If you decide to forgo surgery, it is ok to choose palliative/hospice care. Make sure you are honest with your vet about your concerns and discuss any lingering questions you may have. Praying you find a way forward and can make a decision with which you are comfortable.
Hello there – my dog Rocky recently had a splenectomy less than two months ago. The reason was for a mass that had began to rupture, and he also had a swollen lymph node next to the mass. Thankfully, the mass was benign, and the lymph node was just reactive to the mass because of its close proximity. Rocky has returned back to his normal self. However, two weeks ago, I noticed his lymph nodes on both of his rear legs and underneath his jaw/neck are swollen. All of equal size, one is not larger than the other, and it’s not to the point where it’s visibly protruding from beneath his skin, but they are all definitely larger than normal. His lymph nodes on his groin, armpit and by his front chest are all normal. He’s also not exhibiting any symptoms of illness. He has been back to his regular self since about a week after the splenectomy. My question is could this still be his bodies reaction and acclimating to no longer having a spleen? To my understanding, the spleen does play an intricate role in the lymphatic system, and now he is without that. I also read that lymphatic stagnation and swollen glands can pop up after a splenectomy.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Adam,
I understand your concern for Rocky with these enlarged lymph nodes. I am not familiar with lymph nodes becoming swollen after splenectomy but I guess it is a possible complication. With that being said, I wouldn’t have expected it to occur almost 2 months later. Since the biopsy result of the splenic mass was benign, I am a bit more worried about what could be causing this lymph node issue. I highly recommend you have your dog examined by your vet. They may want to use a needle to get a sample of the nodes for microscopic examination. Any time there are multiple lymph nodes enlarged at the same time you want to rule out things like lymphoma or infection. I hope you can get the answers you need quickly and there is a clear path forward. Feel free to leave an update when you get more information. Praying for good news!
Hello again, thank you for the timely response. Quick update. One of his rear legs, I can’t even feel any swelling anymore. So that appears to be back to normal. The other rear leg, along with both underneath his jaw are still present. About the size of large grapes.
To give you some more context. He was discharged from the splenectomy surgery on 5/19. I first noticed the swelling on his rear legs on 6/23. However, it’s highly possible the swelling was already present a week or two before I even noticed. Which would put us around say 6/12. So that’s only about 3 weeks post surgery, and after we had completed all the post surgery antibiotics. I’m just wondering, would it be possible for him to have some sort of infection, but not show any outward symptoms of an infection, aside from the 3 swollen nodes?
Thank you again.
Hi Adam,
So sorry that I am just now getting a chance to reply to you. Lymph nodes can become enlarged for a variety of reasons, so it is hard to say for sure if they were reacting to infection or inflammation somewhere or if something different was going on. Hopefully you and your veterinarian were able to sort out the cause of the enlarged lymph nodes and create a plan that helped your pup continue to keep living his best life.
My 13 year old extra-tall labradoodle had his spleen out 18 months ago. It was so engorged that he could hardly stand up. This condition happened quickly. The vets were mixed about whether to do the surgery or put him down because of his age and arthritic hips. It was a tough call –they told me he may get 2 months or 6 months or… but he’s recovered nicely and this was worth it –every day with him is precious! During the surgery, they found a mass on his pancreas considered inoperable. We decided not to do a biopsy of the spleen because further treatments wouldn’t even be feasible for him. By now, I assume it wasn’t cancerous. I add that we live in Mexico and our excellent vets here charged about 250 USD for the surgery.
Hi Ann,
Thanks for sharing your dog’s amazing story of hope! I’m so thankful that you have gotten 18 wonderful months together since his splenectomy, and I hope you have many more months together!
My beloved Golden Retriever died unexpectedly on Sunday and I am beyond broken. My wife and I took him to the emergency vet after he seemed very lethargic and not hungry. After a few minutes, the vet came in the waiting room and said that his heart had stopped beating. Apparently, the spleen had ruptured and he had been bleeding out. His poor body didn’t even have enough blood to keep the heart beating. I keep asking myself how we could have prevented this. If we had noticed his spleen was not right and had it removed, would he still be here?
Dear Houston,
I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your Golden. I can only imagine how hard it must have been to get that devastating news. Please don’t carry around the burden of guilt over how things progressed. A splenic mass can rupture with little to no warning. It is very likely there were no symptoms and nothing you missed. You acted quickly as soon as you realized there was a problem and did everything you could for your sweet boy. I am certain he knew how much you loved him. Praying for your heart to heal and that you will find comfort and peace. May his memory be a blessing in your life.
Bella, my 9 yo Flatcoated Retriever had her spleen removed just over 3 weeks ago, there were 2 tumours attached to it. Unfortunately they were malignant. The vet told us that only 20% of dogs last more than 10 months after diagnosis. Obviously this is devastating to hear but a few people I have spoken to have had the same issue with their dogs and they have lasted years. I am trying not to read to much into this but we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
Also, she seems to look very thin, is this normal after the surgery?
Hi Emma,
So sorry to hear that Bella’s splenic tumors ended up being malignant. It is always heartbreaking to discover that our canine family members have cancer. Fingers crossed that she has many more good days with you!
Also, in answer to your question, sometimes dogs to look thinner once their spleen is removed, especially if the spleen was enlarged. However, if you have any concerns or think that she might be losing weight, please contact your vet.
Thinking about you and hoping Bella is one of the dogs that defies the odds!
Hi I took my Dog to the Vets in 2021. He was off his food and Water and kept collapsing. I left him with the Vet for a few hours. I later had a phone call to say that he has a mass on his spleen. The vet advised me that it would be best to have him Uthenaised. I chose to go ahead with it. it was very traumatic. But afterwards and with research I found that he could have had surgery. They did mention this but said his quality of life would be terrible. They never said if the Mass was Malignant or not and I will never know. I feel so guilty because he could have been with us for longer.
Hi Tracey,
I am sorry you had to say goodbye to your beloved pup. I can only imagine how much you miss him, and it is normal to ponder the “what ifs” while grieving. I have to believe that the recommendation to euthanize was due to dire circumstances and your vet was certain your sweet boy would needlessly suffer otherwise. You made a loving decision to free your boy from his struggles and made the choice based on the information you had and your vet’s advice. You didn’t do anything wrong, and you certainly did not fail your dog. Try to give yourself some grace and let go of the burden of guilt you have been carrying all these years. May the memories of the good times be a blessing in your life. Praying for your comfort and peace.
Our Welsh Corgi, Daisy had a splenectomy on Christmas day 2022. Once her red blood cell count came back up she’s been completely normal. However, now that the weather is warmer, she seems to be looking for cooler places to sleep. We had read she’d be colder, but she seems to have trouble tolerating the heat.
Hi Kathy,
I am not sure that this behavior is anything to worry about, but it might be a good idea to mention it to your vet anyway. Without examining your pup myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. I always like to err on the side of caution and investigate changes in behavior rather than wait to see if they go away on their own.
MY 11 Yr old half shepherd/chow, just had his spleen removed as a smaller mass on it had ruptured. He seems to be doing great since, but has had a couple of blacked soft stools in the couple of days after the surgery. Is that normal or something to worry about?
Hi Robert,
You are right to be concerned about these changes in your dog’s bowel movements. Without evaluating him myself, it is hard to know if this a sign of something serious. Please make sure you are keeping your vet informed and let them know what you are seeing at home. They are your best resource for how to navigate the recovery process.
My husband found this article after we found out our 12 year old Yellow Lab Tucker needed a splenectomy. He had the symptoms that you described lethargic, and loss of appetite. I got him to the vet Monday morning, and the spleen was removed the next day. Our vet said it looked like it was just contained to the spleen, but he was starting to bleed internally. After a few days of recovery, he was starting to act like his normal happy himself again.
We got the pathology report back 3 weeks later, and it was not what we had hoped. Tucker had hemangiosarcoma, and our vet said maybe a few months.
Sadly, we didn’t even get that. Tucker started acting oddly again just a week later, and I rushed him to the vet April 20th. When we arrived, they had to carry him inside, and the vet told me she didn’t think he wouldn’t be able to hang on, and recommend putting him down. She could hardly hear his heart, he was so weak.
He was able to rally long enough for my husband to arrive, and he passed peacefully with us by his side.
Our hearts are absolutely broken, he was such an important part of our family. But I’m thankful we got to be there with him.
Dear Laura,
I am so sorry for your loss of Tucker. I can only imagine how difficult it was to say goodbye with such short notice. What a blessing your husband made it in time to be with you both and your sweet boy passed peacefully surrounded by those who loved him most. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. I hope with time your heart will heal and know Tucker’s memory will stay with you always. Bless you both. ♥
Maddie my 13yr. Jack Russell had her spleen removed yesterday. She was showing no symptoms was not sick. A large mass was found during a routine health check. X-rays and ultrasound showed no other organs were affected. All my other Jacks live beyond 16yrs. I hope the mass is benign and I will have many more years with my baby.
Hi Nancy,
I am glad the surgery went well and there seems to be no sign of this issue in other organs. Praying for good pathology results! Keep us updated on how Maddie is doing. ♥
Great news! I also have a 10 year old Jack Russel named Bella. Our girl is such a fighter. Past November she had zero platlets, with months of steroids and vet visits her count was back to normal. One day my family said she didn’t look well. We rushed her to the vet and they said she was bleeding internally from a mass on her spleen. We chosen emergency surgery to have her spleen removed 10 days ago. We just got back from her checkup and she had a blood clot on her spleen. No cancer and she is doing very good. Praying for all the pet parents. They are part of the family.
Hi Trisha,
I am glad to hear Bella is doing well and the pathology report showed no signs of cancer! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Wishing you both the best for many happy years to come. ♥
My 13 year old JRT is due to have his out on Monday. I pray it’s benign and I have a few years left with him.
Dear Shannon,
I am praying for your pup today! Hoping surgery is successful and he can make a full recovery. ♥
It went really well! I was so worried, but it’s only been two days, and he seems like his old self. I’m trying to have to keep him from jumping up on the furniture. I appreciate this page because it really reassured me that the splenectomy was the right thing to do. Thank you!
Hi Shannon,
YAY! So glad the surgery was successful, and your pup is recovering at home! Thank you for leaving this update. You have made my day 🙂
Hi. I’m scared. Love of my life rat-chi will need to have spleen removed. 14x16x18mm. Mass. Good news. Biopsy said its bengin. I’m very concern. Her alt is slightly high for a few years. The number remains the same. Ultrasound shows she has little enlarged liver. They seem not concern about it. She had pancreatic (that is how we found out about the mass in the spleen) and it’s healed. She is 14 years old and pretty healthy beside all above. I’m so scared. I hate to see her going thru all of this. Is it OK to remove spleen with a little enlarged liver? Does my dog feel some pain when there is mass in her spleen? Again I’m so afraid of the big surgery coming. Hope you can comfort me. Smile. Thank you in advance.
Hi Debi,
I understand your worries about this upcoming surgery. Even though we cannot be certain of the outcome, I think you are making the right choice to have the spleen removed. If the liver is only mildly enlarged and has remained stable for a few years, I would not think it would make your pup a bad anesthesia candidate. The splenic mass is probably not painful. The reason for wanting it removed so quickly is to prevent it from rupturing and causing internal bleeding which can be fatal. I am hopeful this surgery will be curative and praying your sweet girl will have many happy days ahead. Wishing you both the best. Feel free to leave an update as things progress.
Hello, sadly my 13 year old cocker passed away last week.
He had a spleen removal in June 2021 (1.5 year ago ) and recovered really well.
In Jan 2023 he started limping and stumbling on legs.
Vets checked blood and said he is anaemic, low blood cells but didn’t know why.
Gave him arthritis injection and pain relief which helped a lot so I was happy..
then last week his mouth was bleeding and nose started to bleed too, he kept fainting, coughing and breathing sounded weird. It was very traumatic. We rushed him to vets. They found bleeding on chest and blood clotting disorder as blood wasn’t clotting properly.
Due to his age and quality of life not the same we made the difficult decision to euthanise our darling dog.
I was wondering if the spleen removal would have been cause of blood cell problem and therefore his death ?
Dear Rachael,
I am sorry for the loss of your senior pup. I can only imagine how hard it must have been to see him go through so much trauma. Without having examined your dog myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions about why things progressed as they did. I would not think his splenectomy from 2021 would have caused this clotting disorder. Ultimately, we will probably never really know why this happened. I wouldn’t regret having his spleen removed as I am certain this gave you the blessing of extra time together over the past year. Take comfort in knowing you did everything you could for your sweet boy, and he was well loved. May his memory live on and bring joy to your life. ♥
Hello,
My healthy puppy had to have his spleen removed due to a hernia. He is back to normal now. I’m wondering if there is a special diet that benefits a dog with no spleen?
Thank you.
Hi Julie,
I am sorry your pup had to go through such an extreme procedure so early in life. I am glad he was able to make a full recovery and is back to being a normal puppy again. There are no specific diet recommendations after splenectomy surgery. With that being said, it is always very important to discuss diet changes with your vet, especially with a growing puppy. Young dogs whose bodies have not fully matured can develop numerous developmental issues if their diet is lacking in certain nutrients or if some vitamins are fed in excess. I am hopeful your pup will go on to live a full and happy life. Wishing you both the best.
Our 6-year old Giant Schnauzer suddenly didn’t act like himself. He wasn’t his playful self, and would suddenly lie down and not move at all, which was just not like him. He threw up his dinner. We took him to our vet, who discovered a lime-sized tumor on the spleen. After ultrasound showed a clear chest, and bloodwork looked good, we were educated in the necessity of having the spleen removed. Long story made short…the tumor was benign. Hallelujah!!! His recovery went well and so far no complications in life without a spleen. He is back to the fella we know and love. It was a scary time, but his story has had a happy ending.
Hi Kathy,
YAY! What a blessing for a successful surgery, benign pathology results, and a full recovery for your sweet boy. Thank you for sharing your story with us. This may be the ray of hope someone else desperately needs who is facing a similar situation. Wishing you both many happy days ahead.
my pitbull had this done due to a mass and rupture, 2 years later he is still going strong. he is 15 now and still showing signs of being an old dog but in all he is still crazy and making memories with my 3 young girls and the rest of the family. If you care about your dog I would get this done, I was thinking it was probably cancerous and he wouldn’t last another 6 weeks after because he was so bad off but here we are 2 years later.
Hi Derick,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with our readers. What a blessing your senior guy is still going strong 2 years after surgery! Best wishes to you both.
Hi Derick, This is great to hear, thanks for posting. Our vet has just found a mass and we’re waiting to hear if a splenectomy is possible. I was in bits at the internet’s prognosis of another 4-6 months life expectancy even with the surgery, so I’m relieved to hear of some better outcomes in the best-case scenario..
Thank you for commenting, our Pit is 9 and ee are facing this surgery on a couple of days. So glad to hear this.
We had the same thing happen! Our 10 year old pittie went on a 2 mile beach walk as usual and then chased his border collie little sister around the yard as usual and then just laid down suddenly and wouldn’t move. We had no idea that he had a tumor on his spleen and it had ruptured. Thankfully we found a wonderful vet after the emergency vet and we are coming up one year this week.
He takes down our 4 year old border collie daily and they have 2-3 hours of chase and wrestling a day. He’s practically a pupper again (just with arthritis meds)!
Hi Emily,
What a blessing your senior guy was able to recover, and you have gained so much extra time together. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Wishing you and both of your pups all the best!
Hi I am so glad I found this thread.
Our little bichon frise is 11 years old, by chance a mass was found on ultrasound – originally thought to be near his liver. We were referred to a doggy hospital where Reggie had a fine needle aspiration biopsy and after we were told it was a 4cm spleen mass and likely HSA. The biopsy results came back today and they did not find evidence of cancer. We are though still so worried about rupturing and so Reg is going tomorrow to have his spleen out. I am so scared if we are doing the right thing as Reggie is his normal self and I feel scared to be putting him through this and given his age and heart murmer I’m so scared he won’t pull through or recovery will be hard.
Hi Kirsty,
I understand your worry and concern for Reggie. I do think you are making the right decision in moving forward with surgery. Hoping the procedure goes smoothly today and praying for a full recovery. If you have a chance, leave an update and let us know how Reggie is doing. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Thank you for your information doctor…this is a scary process to experience and involves a frantic search for informed info online! Our 12 year old Yellow Lab/Golden Retriever became lethargic after throwing up in the night and did not want to eat (very unusual!) or even stand up or walk. We took him to local vet who saw large mass on spleen and blood in abdomen from X-ray (may have been ultrasound?). They then screened the chest to see if lungs were clear or spotted, fortunately lungs showed clear.
Our prior Yellow Lab exhibited similar symptoms at 10 years old but had spots on his lungs so we were advised against having surgery as cancer had spread. Option was to wait a day to see if internal bleeding stopped. Amazingly his internal bleeding did stop, the abdominal blood was reabsorbed and he lived another 6 months in pretty good health before the cancer took him. One day he refused to eat and did not want to get up so the decision to euthanize was made the next day after no improvement. We were grateful he had good quality of life until then.
Our recent experience was de ja vu. This time we chose to have the surgery as our guy had otherwise been active and in great health. We received a call during surgery that in addition to large mass on spleen he had nodules on his liver. Likelihood of cancer was high and that it had spread. The option was presented to euthanize on the table or proceed. Very difficult choice. We decided to proceed, though it would probably not be the best/wisest choice for everyone. Life expectancy was only a month or two and the cost of surgery was high. We seriously wondered whether we were doing the right thing for him or just being selfish. Even at 12 he had been in such good health we decided to move forward with the surgery.
Surgery went well and his recovery has been remarkably quick. We are only 9 days post op and he is off pain meds and wanting to walk further than we think is wise, so restricting him as much as possible. Stitches are to come out in a few more days and then we can increase his activity….gradually.
I write this long story to give people some idea of the process as well as hope….we received his biopsy results yesterday….spleen tissue benign!….liver tissue benign!!! We are stunned and thrilled as are our 3 kids who have grown up with him. We understand there are still no guarantees going forward, but our chances are at least better now to enjoy more quality time with him.
We also understand not everyone’s story will go this way, and know the pain of loss, but just wanted to share a little bit of hope to those searching the internet for answers and stories.
Hi Dan,
This is such amazing news! Thank you for sharing your story with us! You are correct that so many are looking for hope and need some encouragement while going through this process. I have no doubt your words will bring comfort and peace to others. I am hopeful that your sweet boy will continue to heal and make a full recovery. Praying for many more happy days ahead. Bless you and your family!
When my vet asked what I would do if lesions were found on the liver, I told her to continue with the surgery. I couldn’t imagine not to give my dog a final goodbye. I’m so glad for you.
Our almost 6 ear old Bernese mountain dog seemed a little less hungry and energetic..so trying to be proactive took him immediately to vet for evaluation..she felt an enlarged spleen..did an informal u/s..saw a 3 cm mass..maybe nodules..all other organs, chest, heart etc negative and good..she recommended a splenectomy for this coming Wednesday…it’s probably histio..he’s our 4 th Bernese..we’ve had a fair amount of experience..you helped us with toe clips for one that had wobblers..anyway..the surgeon vet really says the splenectomy is for a tissue diagnosis..he’s probably going to die anyway..if this be the case..why pit him Thru the surgery and an attempt at chemo..with the statistics stacked so heavily..he has a pretty good quality even today..running at the park with his friends..if I send him to sirgery im really ending his good time Wednesday? He could go on another month feeling fine? No one has a crystal ball except he has a fatal disease..5% chance it’s something benign ….why operate..please Dr Julie busy..I respected you ..we talked on the phone about 7 plus years ago..I’m in sf and we talked about Beaufort and savannah..thank you Robin hammerman ..time is of the essence….iknow you haven’t examined him but you have the necessary experience and acumen to give us your best guess and if he were your dog would you go ahead and have the surgery..? 💜💙❤️
Dear Robin,
My heart goes out to you with this difficult situation you are in with your big guy. I am not sure there is a right or wrong choice at this point. If you pursue splenectomy, you may gain some extra quality time with your pup, but there is no way to know for sure. I tend to lean toward hospice/palliative care for my own dogs when the prognosis is poor. If you decide to forgo surgery, make sure you have a plan in place for hospice care (possibly a house call vet) and have things lined up for when it’s time to say goodbye. Make the difficult decisions ahead of time so you can enjoy these last days together and not be stressed about details when things are emotional. Love on your sweet boy and make some lasting memories. ♥ Bless you both.
Hi, my 14 year old staffy cross Ace has just had his spleen removed nearly three weeks ago. The surgery went well but since then he is finding it hard to sit on his haunches. Is this due to the surgery? He is walking ok and eating/drinking. He used to spend a lot of time sleeping/resting prior to surgery but no he is walking to and fro the house all day…restless… His back legs sometimes look like they are going to give way also. Any help or advice greatly appreciated…
Hi Tracie,
I understand your concern with this behavior chance in Ace since the splenectomy was performed. Since I haven’t personally examined your dog, it is difficult to make specific conclusions. What you are describing could be anxiety, symptoms of pain, or side effects of his medications. I am glad the surgery was a success and Ace is healing well. I think your best bet is to contact your veterinarian and discuss these behavioral issues. They may need to do a follow up exam or run some tests just to make sure everything is ok. I hope your sweet boy continues to thrive and makes a full recovery. Best wishes!
My Patterdale Terrier is 4 years pist opp after his spleen he is now 14. Just recently there has been a slight decline as he is old but we have had 4 wonderful years x
Hi Lizzie,
What a blessing to have gained so much extra time with your pup. Best wishes to you both!
Dog had spleen removed so what will cull the bad red cells? She showed being anemic 6 months later. What can I do or feed to help.
Hi Wendy,
After splenectomy, the liver takes over some of the functions previously handled by the spleen. I am not sure what foods or treatments would be beneficial for your pup. Since I haven’t personally examined your dog, I can’t make specific recommendations. Make sure your vet is aware of your concerns. It might be a good idea to consult with an internal medicine specialist to get expert advice for your dog’s specific situation.
My 9 year old Lab Deacon has a mass on his spleen. We’re scheduling surgery ASAP to get a splenectomy. Doctor gave us some Chinese herbs in capsules. We also have a 4 month old Chocolate lab puppy who’s energetic to say the least. We’re trying to find a surgeon right now but hoping to talk to some people who’ve had this done and can give us some feedback on what to expect. I’d appreciate any help that can be given. Thank you
Hi Jeffrey,
I am glad you are moving fast to get this splenic mass removed. I understand your concern and the need to gather as much information as possible to help you with the decision-making process. The article contains a good deal of information about what recovery after splenectomy looks like and what long term monitoring could be recommended post-op. If you can help me to better understand what specific answers you are looking for, maybe I can point you in the right direction. I hope Deacon’s surgery is successful and he has many happy years ahead to continue making memories.
Hi there. My 14 year old cairn terrier has a small mass on spleen. Was going to recheck ultrasound in about a month but he also had a sludgy gall bladder and chronic elevated LFTs that have been stable. Could surgery/anesthesia worsen his liver issues?? Even if he did well without the spleen?
Thanks for your time.
Hi Alice,
You are right to be concerned about your senior pup and these issues that have been recently identified. The liver changes and sludgy gall bladder definitely make anesthesia riskier. I recommend you consider scheduling a consult with a veterinary internal medicine specialist. They can let you know if your little guy is a good candidate for surgery or if other treatments need to be pursued prior to anesthesia. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choices for you and your sweet boy. Praying for a positive outcome and more time together making memories.
My beautiful little girl westie has just had a splenectomy ,a mass was found on her spleen ,dont know yet if malignant or benign ,my little girl is a rescue so not really sure how old she is but we think shes about 10 as lve had her for 5yrs now ,she stayed in aftercare for one night and it cost £735 ,please can u explain how it is so expensive ? Glad l had insurance bcos altogether it cost £3,000,
Hi Alyson,
I am glad your girl made it through surgery and is recovering well. I understand your financial concerns but am glad you had insurance to help with the cost. Since I am not familiar with the exact facility where your pup stayed, I can only speak to what is common for specialty hospitals in my area. When a dog is in overnight care at a specialty hospital, you have trained veterinary nurses and ICU staff/doctors monitoring patient vital signs and preforming treatments around the clock. There are IV Fluid pumps being used and many medications that are administered. Sometimes certain lab work parameters are monitored at intervals during the night as well to make sure blood counts are stable. So, the cost is high because you are paying for the expertise of specialists and the high level of care as would be expected of a human in an ICU setting at a hospital.
My 16 year old pomeranian has mass in his spleen and the vet wants to remove the spleen asap, like tomorrow asap. Their quote is $5800 which I do not have. I already spent $2200 for tests and x-rays. My family and friends are saying it is not worth since he is already so old. What are the other options? Put him down? Obv we won’t know if it is cancerous before biopsy.
Hi Julia,
I am sorry you are in such a difficult situation with your senior pup. I understand how financial concerns can play a big role in what we are able to do for our beloved dogs. Having to say no to surgery doesn’t make you a bad dog mom. Unfortunately, the only other options would be euthanasia or wait until the mass ruptures. If the mass ruptures, it will cause your little guy to start bleeding into his abdomen. This internal bleeding is fatal unless it can be stopped which usually requires emergency surgery to remove the spleen, if the dog hasn’t lost too much blood and is stable enough for anesthesia. I know that still leaves you with a very hard decision. I wish I could make it easier. I hope you can find the answers and advice you need to make the best decision for you and your sweet boy. Bless you both. ♥
Try your local humane society. I’m not sure that all areas offer this but since I’m low income, I had the surgery done for a total of $750 including biopsy tests to determine if the mass was cancerous. This cost did not include the diagnosis steps such as vet exams, ultrasound and X-ray (I had already had done before I knew about our humane society. The vet was amazing who did the surgery and so far good results. The results of the mass biopsy came back benign. I’m so sorry about your doggie. 😢
My 11 y/o standard poodle has a 3x3cm splenic mass found incidentally on diagnostic abdominal ultrasound for IBD. She is asymptomatic and blood work is normal. She is scheduled for a follow up ultrasound in 2 months. Is a prophylactic splenectomy the most recommended intervention regardless of any changes in ultrasound findings?
Hi Joann,
I do believe the current recommendations are to remove the spleen even if the mass is small. It is ok to monitor the mass frequently for signs of enlargement, but if the mass ruptures, an emergency splenectomy will need to be performed. In my opinion, it is much easier to do the splenectomy while the mass is small and there are no other complications. I looked through some discussion panels from surgery specialists, and they all said that the risk of surgical complications is much lower in an asymptomatic patient. Ultimately, you should discuss your concerns with your vet and make a choice together with which you can both be comfortable. It is also ok to talk to a veterinary surgeon and get their recommendations as well. I hope your poodle will remain stable and continue to live her best life. Praying for a positive outcome!
My nine-year-old Bernese mountain dog recently had an ultrasound with results showing nodules on her spleen. She has almost no appetite and blood test show high monocyte levels and that she is slightly anemic. We are awaiting results from a comprehensive fecal test and are considering the possibility of Addison’s disease but I am wondering if she should have an aspirate or biopsy of the nodule?
Hi Angela,
I am glad you have been so proactive with having your girl examined and starting the testing process. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, it is hard to make specific recommendations. It might be a good idea to schedule a consult with a veterinary internal medicine specialist. They can review the test results that have already been performed and let you know if an aspirate or biopsy would be a good idea. I hope you receive positive results and a good prognosis for the future. Praying your girl has many happy days ahead. Feel free to leave an update as things progress!
Our pup Hope had her spleen removed in February 2022. At that time she had ceased activity and was very weak. Since we were on vacation, we needed to find an emergency clinic, and ultimately a good surgeon. Initially, the ER reported that she appeared fine. Upon our request, they performed blood work and X-rays. That result was a mass on the spleen. Of course the first thing that the ER doc said was “cancer”. We opted to have her spleen removed. Once she was opened, her abdomen had 800cc’s of free flowing blood and she was transfused. The mass proved to be benign. She is 6 yrs old and everyone was amazed at how young. She is very active and bears no lingering problems. Hope she continues well into her teens!
Hi Bonnie,
I am happy to hear that Hope’s surgery went well and she has made a full recovery. What a blessing to receive the news that her mass was benign! Thank you for sharing your story with us. Praying she has many happy years ahead and will live life to the fullest!
Hello, can you please give me your email. I would like to ask you a few questions about the splenectomy. Thank you in advance! 🤎
Thank you so much for your informative posts, I have read several on your articles and peoples stories now in regards to splenectomies. My 14 year old Maltese just had her spleen removed last Thursday after a mass was discovered at emergency last Tuesday night. Thankfully the spleen had not burst. We decided against getting a biopsy done on the mass as we don’t want to put our sweet girl through chemo at 14. There was no evidence of any other masses observed during surgery or on the thorough ultrasounds and X-rays we had done at emergency. She is doing marvellous, her speedy recovery has amazed us. One of her favourite things to do is go camping with our other two senior dogs so we have plenty more camping trips booked in 🥰.
One question that is bothering me is does she require any special supplements or vaccinations now that her spleen is gone? My vet didn’t seem too concerned and said she doesn’t need special care. My worry is that she may have an immunity gap now? I’m going to put her on a dog prebiotic/probiotic powder after her antibiotics are finished (7th and last day today) and all my dogs eat a high quality premium dog biscuit. I guess I’m comparing it to my mum who had her spleen out 5 years ago and was told this can make her immunocompromised.
Thanks for your help!
Hi Nicole,
I am happy to hear your sweet girl recovered so quickly and is doing well! What a blessing to have her thriving again. To answer your question, no, she doesn’t need any special supplements or vaccinations. Her immune system may be slightly less competent, but we just really don’t see those kinds of issues in dogs post splenectomy. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with our readers. I pray it will be a ray of hope for someone else in a similar situation. Wishing you and your senior girl many happy days ahead.
Casper, our 12 year old Jack Russell, just had a splenectomy last week, as an ultrasound found a very large mass in his spleen (about the size of a tennis ball). We were so worried about him, but so fortunate that the lab result has turned out to be benign!
I’m planning to start cooking proper meals for him. I really want to boost his immunity so he won’t get any infections.
Hi Laura,
I am so glad Casper’s lab results came back benign! What a relief it must be for you and your family. I hope he continues to heal and makes a full recovery. Thank you for sharing your story with our readers. Bless you both!
my 10 yr spayed mix had spleen removed. Was fine for 5 days then stopped eating.-but yet not losing wgt–I manage to get around 4-10 oz of food in her by hand feed or force–but worry if I let it go she will be too weak for help. Also with no spleen where do the bad red cells get culled?
Hi Wendy,
I am very concerned that your pup has stopped eating, especially since things were going well for 5 days after surgery. I highly recommend you call your vet and discuss these worrisome new symptoms. This could be a sign of post-operative complications that could be life threatening. As for your question about the bad red blood cells, the liver will end up doing most of the work. I hope your girl is doing well and can make a full recovery. Best wishes.
Our 11 year giant breed dog had a splenectomy in September. The suspected shadow on an X-ray grew from a small spot on to a 9 pound mass in a matter of 3 months. He recovered beautifully and appreciated the new found comfort.
Hi Alicia,
I am so glad to hear that your sweet boy is doing well and that his recovery was uneventful. I wish you both many more happy days to make memories together!
Ruby, my 14yo Cocker Spaniel had a splenectomy in December 2021. It’s touch and go as we had no idea she’s ill. She went from happily running indoors to dying in my arms. Vet recommended to put her down giving her age and prognosis…. if it was cancer less then 6 months tops. Any extra time with her is worthy. The surgery wS successful and she recovered fully in a few days. Biopsy was positive for hemangiosarcoma but not obvious metastasis. She’s on keto raw diet, Fenbendazole protocol plus natural supplements and doing remarkably well.
Thanks for the very informative article about the spleen.
Regards
Carla Ashdown
Hi Carla,
I am glad to hear Ruby had a smooth recovery from her surgery. I am sorry about her poor diagnosis but happy she is responding well to her current treatment. I hope you can enjoy every day together and make the most of the time you have. Thank you for the kind words about the article. Give sweet Ruby a hug for me. ♥
Hi Carla,
Thank you for sharing your story about your sweet Ruby. I am in the same position you were in Feb 2022 as you wrote about your girl’s surgery 2 months post op. Yours is the only situation I’ve read about that’s the EXACT same as mine. My Frankie girl had a splenectomy 1/26/23 with the same diagnosis. – hemangiosarcoma but not obvious metastasis. And today, is 100% normal! Living in this unknown is the heart wrenching part though. The good *I guess* is that I am thankful for every second I get to spend with my sweet Frankie! She’s an 11 year old white Labrador who, like Ruby recovered quickly. I hesitated writing you for fear of stirring up any more emotions. However I decided to in hopes of maybe being able gain insight, help, suggestions, and perhaps to offer each other comfort! I’d love to talk to you if you’re willing. I hope this message finds you and yours happy and healthy. Gina 💕