An enlarged spleen in dogs can happen for a variety of reasons—and there aren’t always a lot of warning signs. To help you better understand your dog’s condition, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby discusses the top seven causes of an enlarged spleen in dogs and explains what the diagnostic and treatment process involves.
Whenever I tell a client that their dog has an enlarged spleen, the next questions tend to be, “What caused this?” and “What does this mean for my dog?”
These are good questions, and ones I strive to answer to the best of my abilities. Usually, I start out by briefly discussing the causes of an enlarged spleen. Then we can talk about the next steps for their dog.
As I tell my clients, in order to understand why the spleen may become enlarged, it helps to first understand what the spleen does.
What is the spleen?
The spleen is a long, slender, reddish organ that normally lies on the left side of your dog’s abdomen near the liver and stomach. One end is attached to the stomach by a mesh of blood vessels and connective tissue, and the other end can move freely. Three main components—blood vessels, red blood cells, and white blood cells—make up the bulk of the spleen and help it perform its important jobs.
Store blood components
I like to compare the spleen to a sponge because it stores 10 – 20% of a dog’s blood volume at any given time. If the body suddenly needs more blood, for example after a traumatic injury, the spleen can contract and squeeze out blood components.
Make red and white blood cells and platelets
In addition to storing blood, the spleen is also capable of producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Normally the bone marrow, not the spleen, is responsible for making the majority of the new blood cells. But having the spleen as an additional “cell factory” is useful, particularly when there is a high demand for new cells.
Filter the blood
Finally, the spleen also filters all the blood in a dog or cat’s body. This means it can perform “quality control” by removing any old or damaged red blood cells. Plus, it will pull out disease-causing agents or infected cells and then work with the rest of the immune system to mount a response to that invader.
What causes an enlarged spleen in dogs?
Based on this description of the spleen’s duties, you can probably make some guesses as to what sorts of things make the spleen get bigger. They include:
- More cells (i.e. discrete masses or other cells invading the spleen)
- An increased workload in response to infection or cell destruction
- Trapped blood in the blood vessels (i.e. blood gets in but can’t get out)
- Bleeding into the tissue of the spleen
Some of these processes will make the spleen, as a whole, get bigger. This is called “diffuse enlargement.” Others will cause a distinct nodule or mass in one or more locations (i.e. focal or multifocal enlargement).
To help make this information more concrete, let’s take a closer look at the specifics of seven of the most common conditions that would lead to splenomegaly in dogs (i.e. an enlarged spleen in dogs).
#1: Splenic masses
By far, the most common reason for an enlarged spleen in dogs is a splenic tumor. I wrote an entire article about splenic masses in dogs, so I’ll just hit the high points for you here.
Splenic masses can either be benign or malignant, but both types have the potential to rupture and bleed profusely into the abdomen. This can be life-threatening and means you may need to make some hard decisions in a short amount of time.
If your vet suspects your dog has a splenic mass, he or she can give you specifics about your dog’s case. Additionally, you may find these statistics helpful:
- As a general rule, if the mass is bleeding, it will be malignant in two-thirds of dogs. And of those dogs, another two-thirds will have a specific aggressive blood vessel cancer called hemangiosarcoma in dogs. Unfortunately, the prognosis for dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma is poor. This means that often sooner, rather than later, dog parents need to wrestle with the question of when to euthanize a dog with hemangiosarcoma.
- On the other hand, around 70% of splenic masses that are not ruptured (i.e. not bleeding) are benign. So if your vet happens to find a mass on your dog’s spleen during a routine exam or diagnostics for another condition, there is a 70% chance that it isn’t cancer. The most common masses that would fall in the benign category are hematomas (i.e. blood clots) and hemangiomas (i.e. benign blood vessel masses).
#2: Cancer
While, as we just discussed, some dogs have a distinct cancerous mass on their spleen, other dogs with cancer have a more uniformly enlarged spleen. This occurs because cancer cells are infiltrating the whole spleen rather than grouping together to form a mass. Cancers that can cause diffuse splenic enlargement includes:
- Lymphoma in dogs
- Multiple myeloma
- Mast cell tumors in dogs
- Leukemia
#3: Inflammation of the spleen
Sometimes an immune response to severe viral or bacterial infections or parasite infestations can lead to splenic enlargement. After cancer, this is the next most common cause of splenomegaly.
As you know, the spleen plays an important role in the immune system by filtering pathogens out of the blood. Plus, it helps mount an immune response to these “foreign invaders.” Therefore, when the spleen is working hard to fight an infection, it can swell up due to the extra immune system cells.
An enlarged spleen may occur in infectious conditions such as:
- Hepatitis (i.e. inflammation of the liver due to infection, which can cause an enlarged liver and spleen in dogs)
- Pyometra in dogs
- Sepsis
#4: Autoimmune conditions
Splenomegaly also occurs in dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA in dogs) and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP in dogs). In these conditions, the body marks its red blood cells (IMHA) or platelets (ITP) as being “foreign.”
As we discussed, the spleen is one of the organs responsible for pulling “abnormal” cells out of circulation. This means it has to work overtime in IMHA or ITP. Plus, the spleen has to ramp up the production of new blood cells to replace the ones it is destroying. The combination of these two processes leads to the enlargement of the spleen.
#5: Congestion
Another common cause of splenomegaly is congestion. As the name implies, congestion occurs when some of the many blood vessels associated with the spleen become “backed up.” Blood still may be entering the spleen but it can’t get out. Thus, it starts to build up, just like traffic does when a few lanes of the highway are closed. This disturbance in blood flow can cause damage to the spleen and possibly other organs.
Common reasons for splenic congestion include:
- Liver disease in dogs
- Right-side heart failure from heartworm disease in dogs or other causes of heart disease in dogs
- Certain anesthetic or sedative medications (this congestion is just temporary)
- Splenic torsion (which we will talk about next)
#6: Splenic torsion
Remember how I told you that the spleen is attached to the stomach at one end? Well, sometimes when the stomach rotates into an abnormal position, as is the case with GDV (gastric dilation volvulus) or bloat in dogs, the spleen can become twisted too.
Additionally, dogs, especially those with deep chests like German Shepherds, may have a primary splenic torsion (i.e. one that happens spontaneously). This may be either acute, with sudden onset of severe symptoms, or more chronic, with a slower onset of non-specific symptoms.
In either situation, the twisting of the spleen can cause the spleen to swell. Plus, it can compress blood vessels and prevent blood flow. This can lead to the splenic tissue becoming congested and damaged or potentially even death.
#7: Trauma to the spleen
The spleen is a “sensitive” organ and can be easily injured. In cases of trauma, like when a dog is hit by a car, it is possible for the spleen to be damaged or even rupture. Sometimes in less forceful trauma, the spleen can also form a hematoma. This is essentially a “bruise” or blood blister in the splenic tissue.
What are the symptoms of an enlarged spleen in dogs?
As you can see, there are a variety of different causes of an enlarged spleen. Some, like trauma or a GDV, usually have pretty abrupt and obvious signs. However, a splenic tumor can and often does, hide until it ruptures. Therefore, there isn’t really one set of symptoms that can indicate a dog has an enlarged spleen.
Instead, there are some non-specific signs that could go along with splenomegaly (and a variety of other conditions too). They include:
- Painful abdomen (which can also occur in conditions like pancreatitis in dogs)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Being a lethargic dog/decreased energy
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Dog has a pot-bellied appearance
If you see any of these signs or have other concerns, please make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Keep in mind, too, that some dogs with an enlarged spleen have no clinical signs. The vet may end up discovering your dog’s spleen is bigger than normal while palpating the abdomen. Or the splenomegaly may show up on an X-ray or other imaging the vet performed for a different reason.
Signs of a spleen emergency
Alternatively, with a ruptured splenic mass, splenic torsion, or other serious conditions, the signs may be sudden and severe. Symptoms that point toward a life-threatening problem include:
- Pale or white gums due to shock or anemia in dogs
- Weak pulses
- Labored breathing
- Collapse or being unresponsive
If you see any of those signs, immediately make an emergency vet visit. Left untreated, these conditions can rapidly become fatal.
How does the vet diagnose an enlarged spleen?
During the visit, the vet will start with a physical examination. This allows him or her to:
- Look at your dog’s gum color
- Assess your dog’s vital signs
- Palpate your dog’s abdomen
- Evaluate the rest of your dog’s body for bruises, lumps, signs of trauma, or other clues
Based on the findings (and how stable your dog is) the vet may recommend various diagnostics.
Bloodwork
The vet may use bloodwork to get a better idea of what is going on with your dog. The complete blood count (CBC) can allow the vet to look for signs of infection, low platelets from ITP, low red blood cells from IMHA, or internal bleeding. And the chemistry panel can help rule in or rule out other conditions with similar nonspecific signs like kidney failure in dogs or liver disease.
Urinalysis and fecal examination
A urinalysis is a good way to look for infections like UTIs in dogs or pyelonephritis in dogs. Plus, a fecal test for dogs can help rule out parasites.
Abdominal X-rays
An X-ray (i.e. abdominal radiograph) can help your vet to evaluate the size, shape, and position of the spleen. Plus, it allows him or her to see the other abdominal organs and look for a gas-dilated and twisted stomach that would indicate a GDV.
Abdominal ultrasound
An even better way to take a look at a potentially enlarged spleen is an abdominal ultrasound. It allows the vet to get a detailed view of the architecture of the spleen and surrounding organs. The ultrasound may reveal:
- Splenic masses
- Splenic torsion
- Congestion
- Infiltration by other cells (e.g. lymphoma)
- Free blood in the abdomen from a ruptured splenic mass or trauma
Fine-needle aspiration
While performing the ultrasound, your veterinarian may want to do a fine needle aspirate (FNA) of the spleen. He or she will start by using the ultrasound to visualize the area of interest in the spleen. Then the vet will insert a needle under ultrasound guidance to collect a sample of cells from the spleen.
Examining these cells under the microscope can sometimes help the vet reach a diagnosis. Other times, it may be inconclusive.
Biopsy
Either way, if the vet needs to remove the spleen, he or she will probably also recommend a biopsy. This lets the veterinary pathologist look at slices of tissue, not just cells (like in an FNA). For this reason, a biopsy is a more definitive way of figuring out what was going on with the spleen. It can also indicate if a mass was benign or malignant.
What is the treatment for an enlarged spleen?
Once the veterinarian determines why your dog has an enlarged spleen, he or she will talk with you about the various treatment options. They are going to differ depending on your dog’s condition, but some possible treatments may include:
Splenectomy
This surgery involves removing the spleen and tends to be a common treatment for splenic masses. If the mass has ruptured, a dog may require an emergency splenectomy to control the bleeding. However, if the splenic mass was an incidental finding, the dog can have a scheduled (non-emergency) splenectomy.
Splenectomy is also the treatment of choice when there is a diagnosis of splenic torsion and in some cases splenic trauma. (For a feel-good story about a police dog with a splenic torsion, check out this news release from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.)
There are some risks associated with the surgery itself such as bleeding and abnormal heart rhythms. However, the good news is that a dog can live without a spleen.
What that life looks like depends on why they needed the splenectomy in the first place. If the mass was benign or the dog had a splenic torsion, the prognosis is going to be significantly better than if the dog had a malignant mass.
Medications
If the dog has an immune-mediated disease like ITP or IMHA, he or she may need to be on prednisone for dogs or other immunosuppressants. Some dogs are able to get off these medications eventually, while others require lifelong treatment.
Alternatively, if an infection is a culprit, the dog may need antibiotics. Or the dog may benefit from heart medications if right heart failure is causing blood to back up into the spleen.
Chemotherapy (or other cancer treatments)
Sometimes the parents of dogs with hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, or other types of cancer may decide to pursue chemotherapy. This may buy a few more weeks or months together (or occasionally longer). A board-certified veterinary oncologist can advise you about the pros and cons of chemotherapy or other treatments for your dog’s particular cancer.
Supportive care
Additionally, dogs may benefit from various additional therapies. This might mean IV fluids and a blood transfusion to stabilize a dog with a bleeding splenic mass. Or it could be Cerenia for dogs or appetite stimulants for dogs if your dog is nauseous or not eating well.
What is the life expectancy of a dog with an enlarged spleen?
As you have probably figured out from our discussion in the treatment section, the outlook for dogs with an enlarged spleen varies. Sometimes a family must prepare for their dog’s euthanasia within minutes, hours, days, or weeks of the diagnosis. Other times, the dog may have a splenectomy or take medication for a period of time and then never look back.
Therefore, your veterinarian is the best person to give you an idea of what to expect in terms of prognosis and life expectancy. He or she is familiar with your dog’s situation and would be happy to walk alongside you during this difficult time.
Stay strong in the face of an enlarged spleen in dogs diagnosis
I know it can be scary when your dog is diagnosed with splenomegaly. It’s easy for your mind to go right to the worst-case scenario or to feel hopeless.
However, I urge you to keep pushing forward and advocating for your dog. Work closely with your vet and follow his or her recommendations so you can get to the bottom of why your dog has an enlarged spleen. Then continue to lean on your vet’s expertise as you face whatever the future may hold for you and your dog.
What was the cause of your dog’s enlarged spleen?
Please share your experience below.
Our nearly 12 year old lab had an episode 3 weeks ago where he came home from his pack walk with his dog walker and was very lethargic, didn’t lift his head up to greet me. We took him to his Vet right away for blood work and a X-Ray. The Dr. Said his spleen looked a bit enlarged but bloodwork looked unremarkable. He recovered within 24 hours and was back to his old self. We re did the X-ray yesterday and it appears his spleen is slightly bigger. The Veterinarian said it could be a tumour but he isn’t sure. He said a CT scan would be the next step to confirm. He didn’t seem convinced that at his advanced age it would be worth pursuing and we should just let him be a dog. He said if he collapses with white gums, we would know it was his time to go. We are torn because we love this boy to bits, but also want to be realistic that invasive treatments and tests might not prolong his life either? What do we do?
Dear Heather,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior boy. It is hard to make specific recommendations without playing a personal role in your pup’s medical care and I am not sure there is a right or wrong way to proceed. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information and guidance. Hoping you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and your sweet boy. Praying for clarity and comfort. Bless you both.
1. Splenic Masses in Dogs: Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
2. Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
3. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
Hello there. My 6 year old girl recently had a splenectomy due to what the vet says was splenic torsion!? There was no tumour, or any signs of GDV so how can this have happened? She did fall when jumping into my car (about 40 minutes after being fed), and she was rough house playing with my other dog in the evening, so could this have caused the spleen to twist or what else could have caused it? Im confused by it? We were on holiday, she was her normal healthy self, had her supper, then slipped/fell jumping into car, was in car for about an hour. We came home and she played with my other dog in the evening. Around 2am she vomitted 4 times and couldnt settle, she vomitted bile twice around 5 am too. I phoned vet first thing as l noticed her distended belly, panicking thinking it was bloat! Rushed her in but vet said spleen, and hence removed it as it was very enlarged? Again no sign of GDV causing it and no tumours?! Sorry for long post! What could have caused this?
Hi Yvonne,
What a scary and stressful day! Great job recognizing that something was wrong and getting her to the vet quickly!
To answer your question, splenic torsion can be secondary to a GDV, which it sounds like she didn’t have. Otherwise, the cause of primary torsions is unknown, but it is theorized they may potentially be due to damage to the ligaments that hold the spleen in place, a partial twist of the stomach, or a congenital abnormality. Unfortunately we may never know exactly what caused it in her case.
Hopefully she is recovering well and will be back to her old self soon!
We are facing a splenectomy this coming Thursday the 39 of August. Although we are on the schedule I am trying to back out. As you said the trauma of a difficult surgery is difficult. Champ is a 34 lb mix breed terrier about 12 years old. . We have had him for 11 years ….’he is and has been a very healthy active boy so this diagnosis was a heart wrenching surprise. I have read survival rates for non malignant spleen to be all over the map. Some as low as one month ….. so if true he would have a terrible surgery and recovery and then die …. What is your best guess as to life expectancy? Thanks and heart out to all going through this nightmare
Hi Connie,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior guy. I understand your concern for Champ and how hard it can be to know how to proceed. I will attach links to other articles with more information that should help offer guidance. Hoping you can find the best way to ensure your boy continues to feel good and remains happy for as long as possible.
1. Splenic Masses in Dogs: Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
2. Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
3. Can a Dog Live Without A Spleen?
Hi,
I appreciate your very detailed and informative post. My dog is 3 and she ate fertilizer. The next day she pooped it out and threw up. She wasn’t eating and became lethargic. We called poising control and was told there were no toxins in the fertilizer. We took her to the emergency and they did x-rays. They saw she was backed up and gave her fluids to help her poop come out. The vet put her finger in Soleil’s anal and poop with dirt came out. So we thought Soleil just needed extra support getting the dirt out of her. Well she did not improve and we had to take her back. This time they ran blood test and saw her calcium had spiked and her kidneys were being affected. They ran parathyroid test, Addison disease test and both came back negative. They did state her spleen was enlarged but it could be due to everything her body was going through. They took cells from her spleen to check for cancer and they cannot find the cancer. However, they want to begin chemo and treat her as a cancer patient. We’ve been to 4 different vets and can’t find the underlining cause to her hypercalcemia. When she came home after being hospitalized and her calcium and kidney were at normal values, they prescribed steroids’. After 2 weeks, we were told to slowly wean her off. We followed instructions and she began to decline AGAIN. We rushed her back to the emergency and her calcium spiked again. We’ve been through this twice in one month and vets can’t find the underlining cause. They told us it’s possible the cancer is there but they can’t prove it and it’s a coincidence that she ate the fertilizer around the same time that the cancer symptoms started. This is so unusual and we can’t make sense of it. 🙁
Dear Mailene,
I am so sorry your girl is facing this unknown issue, and I can see why you are worried. I wish I had some great suggestions of how to proceed but unfortunately, I am just as puzzled by all of this as the veterinary teams seem to be. Praying for answers and a clear path forward with treatment. Hoping Soleil can keep fighting and wishing her all the best for many happy days ahead. ♥
Hi, I recently felt something strange in my 10yo English Setter’s (Xic) abdomen. I took him to the vet and they performed an ultrasound and some blood work. I was told the mass was in the abdominal wall. Bloods came back with mild anaemia, but not much else. Cytology of the “mass” was inconclusive. After a discussion with my vet, we decided to monitor for now as he had no other symptoms. 5/6 weeks later, I could feel something rather large in his abdomen so too him back. He is still well and very active. The vet suspected an enlarged spleen. This was confirmed via ultrasound. She said although his spleen appeared “mottled” and enlarged, she didn’t see any tumours or free fluid. His other organs seemed unaffected. I was told he has high blood pressure (170/60) which he is now being treated for. Because he is from Spain, she has sent his blood to the lab to test for tick borne diseases. How likely is this as he has been in the uk for 7 years? What would cause the spleen to appear “mottled”?
The blood results will take another week to come back but I’m worried his spleen could rupture. Any advice would be greatly received. Many thanks,
Danielle
Hi Danielle,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior guy. I am glad your vet is being thorough with testing and unfortunately, tick borne disease is also an issue in the UK. There are any number of things that can cause the spleen to look “mottled” and that is just an indication that more investigation is needed. I would not be too concerned about splenic rupture if a mass was not found. When a bleeding event occurs, it is usually due to a splenic mass that has overfilled and then breaks open. Hoping you will get results quickly and there will be a clear path forward with treatment. Wishing your sweet boy all the best of luck and praying for a positive outcome.
hello
I have a 1.6 year old male American Akita. very young dog
Two weeks after his neuter back in January 2024, He stopped eating , was vomiting and lethargic. Had very high Calcium and enlarged spleen.
This happened twice. He was given fluids and recommended I do Testing for cancers.
After $12,000 they can not tell what is wrong. YES I paid $12K
Now I will pay more to have spleen removed if it isn’t too late.
Very sad events.
He is eating after I switched too expensive organ meat air dried food and boiled chicken but his energy level is low.
He likes walks but not long ones and still gets annoyed with barking dogs.
If he had had cancer we would just let him go but he doesn’t show cancer.
Most all tests have been done.
He has been through the ringer and back!
Vet refuses antibiotics because NO infection is seen in blood even though his blood work is all over the map. I guess they treat animals like humans now…No antibiotics.
This has been a stressful 3 months.
KLP
Hi Kate,
I am sorry your young pup has been through so much in the last few months. I can only imagine how frustrated you must be after spending so much money and still have more questions than answers. You are correct that veterinarians are having to be stricter with prescribing antibiotics. We are getting the same pressure as human doctors to try and combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. I hope you can find the answers you need to feel confident when moving forward with treatment. Praying for healing and a restored quality of life for your sweet boy.
Hi, as of this month our male dobie is two years old. Purebreed and good breeding stock with no known genetic health issues. In August of last year he had a short spell of lack of appetite and urination was in short bursts and could not go a night without at least one urination. Urinalysis test showed an infection. He was treated for this with antibiotics and regained his appetite the second day. Follow up urinalysis continued to show some evidence of infection. Another two weeks of antibiotics was given. Follow up urinalysis showed ok. Another urinalysis showed evidence of minor infection again. Vet determined this was going to his normal. During this time the pup acts completely normal.
Vet was not interested in performing an ultrasound. Took to another vet. An ultrasound showed the following:
Ultrasound : thick bladder wall – generalized ; Compression by enlarged prostate in area of mid to trigone ; Recommend neuter to decrease prostatic size
Followed with 2 weeks enrofloxacin to clear nidal bacteria that are likely present :
note changes in medullary tissue in both kidneys – hyperechoic and some small cystic or gas structures : Pyelonephritis ? suspect.
Currently eats raw ; various proteins
Continue cranberry supplement – urine clear and pH normal ;
Continue Probiotic – Copper Hollow … Can continue if substrate does not have protein
or yeast additives.
Stomach radiographs: thickened gastric wall ; prominent rugae ;
splenomegaly ( enlarged prominent spleen ) which is indicative esp this time of year (no seasonals) of inflammation and processing at the immune system level .
The immune system calming plan is as follows :
Streamline diet to one protein ( not chicken ) and do not switch
This diagnosis was in February.
He was neutered within a week and medication given.
Strict adherence to one protein diet and specific supplements.
The pup’s appetite is normal,
His weight is steady between 74lbs and 75lbs
His urination went from short bursts to long (normal?) release.
He is active and seems completely OK.
However, a urinalysis taken just last week shows evidence of infection.
Thoughts?
Hi Clay,
I understand your concern for your young Doberman with all these issues he has experienced so early in life. He is a lucky pup to have you playing such an active role in advocating for his health and well-being. Unfortunately, without being personally involved in his medical care, I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations. His case seems to be a bit complicated, and, in this situation, I think it would be best to talk with a specialist. I am glad your boy seemed to improve after starting treatment and getting neutered. Hoping all is well and wishing you the best of luck as you navigate this unknown path.
my five year old English Cocker was always a happy girl. never showed any signs of being sick. one evening she came inside and went straight to a wall and just stood there. I told my husband ” how cute she’s giving herself a time out’ she suddenly wanted outside, it was pouring rain and she ran to a bush and climbed under. I knew something was wrong. I climbed under the bush and pulled her close. she had a dazed look. we took her to an emergency hospital.. after a while they informed us she had a ruptured spleen and there was nothing that could be done for her. we held her. as they put her down. she had given no clue of being sick.. I have been broken up ever since.. what should we have been looking for?
Dear Donna,
My heart aches for you with the tragic loss of your beloved pup. Please don’t continue to carry the burden of guilt over how things progressed. It is likely that your girl had hemangiosarcoma and it often does not offer any symptoms until a fatal bleed occurs. Blood work can look completely normal even as the disease progresses into the final stages. Consider it a blessing that you were home with her when her condition began to decline so you could get her to the emergency clinic and offer her a peaceful goodbye. I will attach a link to another article with more information about this terrible disease. I hope it will offer clarity and pray you will find solace in the comments of others who have experienced a very similar event. May your grief fade as time passes and be replaced with healing and peace. Bless you.
When To Euthanize A Dog With Hemangiosarcoma: A Vet’s Guidance
Hello, my 12 yo Westie was diagnosed with anaplasmosis about 4 months ago. I was told they normally don’t treat this. I noticed that she was losing weight, yet always seems to be hungry, so I took her to another vet and had a complete senior blood panel done. All came out good. However, she continues to lose weight. I took her back to the 2nd vet and asked them to do an x-ray (since all bloodwork was good), and they found the enlarged spleen. Another x-ray two weeks later showed the spleen was still enlarged. She doesn’t have any of the “enlarged spleen“ symptoms, other than weight loss. The next step is an US, or surgery. I tend to want to be conservative and do the US first, but not sure what kind of information that can tell us. Can the enlarged spleen be caused by anaplasmosis? If so, what would be the best steps to take? There’s so much conflicting information that I’ve read, I’m just not sure how to proceed.
Hi Tikka,
I am sorry your Westie has received this difficult diagnosis. I agree, I like to have ultrasound performed before moving on to surgery. Ultrasound can give you an idea if the spleen has a tumor inside or if it is just generally enlarged. Sometimes US can be used to look for possible metastasis or rule out other complicating factors. The enlarged spleen could be secondary to the anaplasmosis as the spleen will try to remove the affected blood cells from the blood stream and this could cause it to swell or enlarge. Anaplasmosis is usually treated with doxycycline which is a common antibiotic that most vets already have in the clinic. It might be worth trying a few weeks of treatment to see if it has any beneficial effects on the spleen. Don’t hesitate to ask the hard questions and make sure your vet is aware of any lingering concerns. You can also ask for a consultation with an internal medicine specialist if needed. Specialists can give you all the treatment options and details about prognosis and offer advice on how to proceed. Hoping you can get the answers you need to make the best choices for your sweet girl. Praying for a positive outcome. Bless you both!
Thank you so much for sharing this article. My dog, a 9-year-old female lab/pit mix, had a large splenic tumor last month. This article and the comments gave me a lot of hope and comfort. We elected to have the spleen and tumor removed on the vet’s recommendations, and after a very long week, we learned it was benign. She’s back to acting like a puppy. I thought of this article and the stories shared here many times during that waiting period. I really can’t thank you enough.
For those on the fence about surgery, it was the right thing for us. It can be cost-prohibitive (between CT scans and surgery, we spent about $6000, without pet insurance), but if it is something you can afford, it improves quality of life. And know that whatever the odds may be (I can’t even tell you how many different estimates I saw!), there are success stories.
If you’re dealing with this, I wish your pup a speedy and full recovery.
Hi Amanda,
This is such great news! What a blessing your girl’s tumor was benign, and she made a full recovery after surgery. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. Positive outcomes like this give others the hope they need when facing a tough and uncertain future. Wishing you and your sweet girl nothing but the best. Bless you both!
Hi Dr Buzby,
I have an almost 11 year old female GSD about 90 lbs. I took to vet for swelling in abdomen. Turned out to be enlarged spleen. Bloodwork came back “Excellent” “some dogs are prone to it.” Should I get a second opinion?
She is on Carprofen for hip pain. Still very mobile but slowing. Will still play w/our male 9.5 yo GSD and keep squirrel population down.
Hi Connie,
I understand your concern for your Shepherd with her spleen being enlarged. While this can be a benign change for some dogs, I would want to be very thorough with my testing before deciding whether it was cause for concern or not. I am glad your girl’s blood work is normal, but has she had any other tests done? If not, the next step may be to talk to your vet about abdominal ultrasound. You can also request a consultation with an internal medicine specialist if needed. Hoping you can get some definitive answers and praying for favorable results. Take care and keep up the good work!
My Dog was recently diagnosed with Anemia. The vet did an xray and found no internal bleeding. said that her liver and spleen were enlarged and suggested that she get an ultrasound. I didnt agree at first because he didn’t find any internal bleeding; however, we need to know what’s causing the anemia. But I’ve thought it over and want to get the ultrasound. She has no energy and is moving slowly, and her back legs appear wobbley, but she still has a lil fire burning. Loves barking at the door when she hears people walking by. also, she not eating as much. I’ve been feeding her organic probiotic yogurt.. Is there anything I can give her in between Dr visits? thanks
Hi Kim,
I am sorry your pup is struggling with anemia of an unknown cause. I am glad you have decided to pursue the ultrasound. I am not sure what would help with her lack of appetite other than to ask your vet about an appetite stimulant. I assume her decreased appetite is a symptom of her feeling bad from the anemia. Hopefully you were able to get some answers and start the appropriate treatment. I hope that once the treatment begins to take effect, you will notice her appetite returns as well. Just in case, here are links to other articles with more information about your specific situation:
1. What Causes Anemia in Dogs? Explore the Top 10 Reasons
2. Anemia in Dogs: A Dog Parent’s Guide
3. How an Appetite Stimulant for Dogs Can Help Your Pup
Praying for a complete resolution and wishing you both the best for a long and happy life.
Hello,
I have a 3 yr old golden who has an enlarged spleen. Almost double in size. Found on an X-ray for something unrelated (she ate a chicken bone). Anyway we mentioned last year that she pants heavily at night for no obvious reason and not temperature related. She also still has her puppy fur on her hind legs.
Last year she was randomly vomiting so we did blood work and her cortisol levels were slightly high. We did an elimination diet and found nothing. Her vomiting stopped.
She’s going in on Wednesday for some further scans and blood work. Any ideas?
Hi Brandy,
I understand your concern for your pup and am glad you are following up with your vet for additional diagnostics. Unfortunately, without being able to examine her myself and look at the results of the diagnostics, I don’t have enough information to confidently give you some differential diagnoses. However, your appointment with the vet should hopefully provide the information necessary to get to the bottom of this.
Also, I wanted to mention that if the vet visit doesn’t provide an answer, you can also consider taking her to an internal medicine specialist. Because they narrow their focus to one area of medicine and have access to diagnostics that your regular vet may not, specialists can sometimes get to the bottom of the more complex or puzzling cases. Hopefully that won’t be the case for your dog, but I wanted you to know that was an option just in case.
Hope all goes well at the appointment and that you get clear answers and good news for your dog!
We just put our 12 year old lab/husky cross down two days ago because of an enlarged spleen that had ruptured. I’m devastated by this loss.
We had to put our other 12 year old shepherd cross down 2 years ago from the exact same thing.
Is there anything we can do to avoid this in other dogs? I know 12 is a good age for large dogs but I’d love for them to live longer if possible.
Hi Jodi,
I am sorry for the loss of your senior dog and my heart goes out to you that you have endured this tragic situation twice. I am not sure you can truly avoid this, but you could avoid the breeds of dogs in which it is most commonly found. Also, if you know the warning signs to be watching for you may be able to detect it early enough to pursue surgery. But please know that no matter how vigilant and proactive you are, splenic tumors can seem to appear out of nowhere and with little to no warning. Here is a link to another article with more information: Splenic Masses in Dogs: Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
Wishing you peace and happiness as you continue life’s journey.
My senior rescue dog (lab) tried to jump in our jeep and missed. Tried again and missed again. We helped him in the car and he cried a little. The next day he tried again to jump in and again missed. A couple of days later I saw and felt a lump in his groin area and saw the vet as I know labs are prone to cancer. Charlie’s x-ray showed a very large spleen. His blood work was great but I don’t have enough money or credit to have a CT scan.
Dear Helen,
I am so sorry you are in this difficult situation with Charlie. Please make sure your vet is aware of your financial concerns. They may be able to offer alternatives such as abdominal ultrasound or proceed straight to surgery. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Hoping you can find the best way to ensure your sweet boy has many happy years ahead. Praying for a positive outcome.
1. Splenic Masses in Dogs: Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
2. Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
I rescued .y dog from the streets 10 yrs ago .He has been my best friend for 10 yrs.I lost my husband during covid and I have nothing. I noticed runt belly was swelling and not going down.He was eating good and being his self,until last ight.I don’t have any money to get him seen.im afraid he’s gonna die to.I am so crushed. plz pray for him. thank u
Dear Heidi,
My heart goes out to you with this difficult situation you are facing. I am sorry your senior guy’s health is declining and finances are making it impossible to get him the care he needs. Please know you are not alone, and I am praying for you both. BLess you and your sweet boy. ♥
Call local dog rescue groups or the animal control dept. They sometimes have places that will donate to help people with things like this.
My dog (golden retriever, 7) recently had rapid growth in spleen size. My Vet did an ultrasound 3 weeks ago and said it looked large and wanted a follow up. We just went back (3 weeks later) and her spleen drastically increased in size. She has been on doxycycline for 3 weeks for anaplasmosis as well. She is also being treated for a hot spot (no steroids).
They vet is unsure why the spleen grew drastically and is giving a choice of splenectomy vs watching and waiting. I’m leaning more toward removal but nervous to remove it for a benign reason. What could cause a rapid growth in a spleen on a dog who is on antibiotics.
Hi Mariah,
What a puzzling situation you find yourself in with your Golden. Anaplasmosis can definitely cause an enlarged spleen, but I wouldn’t have thought that the spleen would get drastically larger during treatment either. However, most of the time we don’t have a reason to monitor spleen size before and after treatment, so who knows what actually happens with it. I think that what your vet said makes sense—you can either do a splenectomy now and get some answers quickly, or you can wait until the anaplasmosis treatment has been finished for a few weeks (on the off chance that treating the anaplasmosis was somehow related to the rapid spleen enlargement) and then recheck the spleen.
Feel free to give us an update on what you decided to do and how your girl is doing now!
My dog has an enlarged spleen. They did FNA of lymph nodes and bone marrow,
Both inconclusive, non specific. They did a vector borne disease panel and found Babesia and bartonella. They also found a blood clot in a vessel associated with the spleen. No splenic mass has been found yet even after x ray and ultra sound. He’s been on meds for 5 weeks now and has improved drastically. I’m hoping it’s just the bacteria that caused it and not something else. Next step would be FNA of the spleen. Have you seen cases of Babesia and bartonella causing spleen enlargement? What was the outcome?
Hi Lauren,
I am glad your vet was able to get some answers and find out about the babesia and bartonella. I have definitely seen these diseases cause spleen enlargement and have had some patients make a full recovery with the right treatment. Some dogs do not respond to treatment, especially if it is not caught early enough, but I am hopeful your pup will be able to pull through. How is he feeling today? Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Praying all is well!
Our Vet found our dog’s spleen very enlarged when doing X-rays for a sore left shoulder. Could pain be radiating from the spleen to the left shoulder?
Hi Carla,
Without examining your dog, myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. I wouldn’t think an enlarged spleen would radiate pain to the shoulder joint, but I guess anything is possible. I feel like you will need to look for the source of your dog’s shoulder pain after you have settled on a plan for how to address the enlarged spleen. Hoping you can partner with your vet to find the best way to keep your dog happy and healthy. Best wishes and good luck!
I just read this Symptoms of an enlarged spleen and it says :pain may spread to the left shoulder”https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/blood-disorders/spleen-disorders/enlarged-spleen
Hi Monique,
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!
My boxer is recovering from a spleenectomy due to a ruptured mass. A week before he drastically declined, he would periodically limp on his left hind leg.
Hi Denise,
Praying your boy will make a full recovery. Best wishes to you both.
Our 11 year old dog has an enlarged spleen and it is large. The biopsy indicated no cancer but our vet is suspicious of that result since the mass is so large. Our dog is eating, drinking, pooping and peeing normally and is still very active, however our vet does not recommend surgery because in his experience these masses become attached to other organs and are difficult to remove and it puts the dog through unnecessary trauma, however, everything I read sounds like the surgery is necessary and is usually a successful treatment.. We’re very conflicted.
Hi Barbara,
I understand why you are conflicted about how to proceed. Your vet is correct that removing the spleen can be a difficult and extensive surgery with many possible complications. With that being said, it is also the recommended treatment and could be the only way to give your pup a second chance at life. It might be a good idea to talk to a specialist and get the opinion of a veterinary surgeon. Your vet should be able to make a referral if needed. In cases like yours, a second opinion is never a bad idea. You want to have all the information you can to make the best decision possible. Praying for answers and a clear path forward. Bless you all.