Treatment of splenic hemangioma abroad

What functions does the spleen perform in a dog’s body?

Any organ in a dog’s body plays an important role in the coordinated functioning of the whole organism, which directly affects the animal’s well-being.

The spleen performs several important functions at once:

is the main source of circulating lymphocytes;
works as a filter for bacteria and foreign particles, while simultaneously producing antibodies;
takes an active part in blood circulation, acting as a reservoir for red blood cells;
releases bilirubin from hemoglobin, providing the body with a sufficient amount of iron.

In general, the full functioning of the spleen has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune system and hematopoietic and metabolic processes that are vital for any animal.

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Functions of the spleen in the body

Just like in humans, the structure of the dog’s spleen has a number of similarities. Thus, the organ is single, large in size, located in the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left. It looks like a gland and has two parts - white and red pulp.

Each part of the organ has a number of features, performing its own tasks. Thus, the red part of the spleen is responsible for the process of blood filtration, and also actively takes part in the disposal of waste protein and iron.

In turn, the white pulp, which occupies about 20% of the entire organ, is able to recognize pathogens that have entered the body, neutralize them and create an immune response that prevents re-infections. In addition, the white part of the spleen replenishes lymphocytes.

As a filtration organ, the spleen performs the following number of functions:

immune and filtration;
maintaining homeostasis.

Organ components take part in protein metabolism.

Causes of enlarged spleen in dogs

The exact reasons for changes in the size of the spleen in dogs are very difficult to determine, especially since many cases of its enlargement are not similar to each other. Benign tumors are usually the result of active organ activity or insufficient blood saturation.

The danger is that over time the tumor can turn into cancer, which is the result of rapid cell division and mutation. Despite the fact that this does not always happen, the possibility of a benign tumor becoming malignant cannot be ruled out. This is especially true in cases of constant exposure to external unfavorable factors, such as low-quality and irregular nutrition or the dog’s genetic predisposition.

Sometimes chemicals, radionuclides and hormonal drugs used in the fight against other ailments can enlarge the spleen. Cells that have undergone mutations impede the normal process of regeneration and death of other, healthy cells.

It is difficult to say which breeds are more predisposed to developing tumors in the spleen, but, according to the observations of veterinarians, short-haired pets suffer from them more often, for which it is difficult to find a scientific explanation. Neoplasms can be either primary in nature or originate from other organs and their tissues. The exact origin can be determined after a thorough diagnosis of the dog’s condition or even after removing the tumor and further studying it (biopsy).

Important! Sometimes even a biopsy may not give an accurate answer about the origin and danger of the neoplasm - in such cases, the pet undergoes surgery to remove the spleen and its subsequent histopathological examination.

Types of spleen tumors

All tumors of this organ can be divided into several types: primary, secondary and bulk neoplasms, which are difficult to classify into any of these groups. Each type has its own characteristic properties, differing from each other in symptoms and difficulty of elimination.

Primary

The reasons for the primary transformation of cells and tissues of the spleen are not known exactly, but benign neoplasms are more common among such tumors. Well-known examples from this group include hemangioma and hemangiosarcoma. They are localized only in the area of a specific organ and usually do not disrupt the functioning of neighboring ones. After removing the tumors and undergoing a course of chemotherapy, there is a chance for a quick recovery of the animal, but in the absence of adequate treatment, rupture of the tumor walls and subsequent hemorrhage is possible. Typically, acute conditions occur in older dogs, after 9-10 years of life.

Secondary

Secondary or multicentric tumors can originate in other organs of the abdominal space, forming from metastases entering the spleen. An example of this group would be myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative diseases (for example, lymphoma), malignant histicytosis, histiocytic sarcoma, mastocytoma, hemangiosarcoma and some other malignant neoplasms with distant metastases such as melanoma.

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Read also: How to massage a dog’s spine

Other voluminous neoplasms

Among neoplasms of non-tumor origin, the following disorders most often explain problems with the spleen:

nodular hyperplasia (possibly hormonal origin);
different types of hematomas (appear as a result of a blow);
thrombosis and heart attack;
congestion in the organ;
extramedullary hematopoiesis;
torsion of the pedicle of the spleen.

Most of them do not pose a threat to the dog’s life, but if timely measures are not taken to eliminate the emerging tumor, the possibility of tissue growth into a malignant tumor cannot be ruled out, and its consequences are almost always very serious.

Neoplasms of the spleen (spleen tumors, neoplasms, spleen tumors)

Hepatitis

8765 November 18

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To make a diagnosis and properly prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor. Neoplasms of the spleen: causes of appearance, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods.

The spleen is an unpaired organ, mainly consisting of lymphoid tissue, responsible for hematopoiesis, immunity and blood supply in the human body. Spleen neoplasms are focal growths of morphologically altered tumor tissue in the spleen parenchyma.

The most common pathology of the spleen is cysts - cavities filled with fluid and separated from surrounding tissues by a capsule. Benign tumors of the spleen include hemangiomas (tumors of vascular origin), lymphangiomas, lymphomas (tumors of lymphoid tissue), endotheliomas, hamartomas, fibromas.

Systematization of spleen tumors is carried out taking into account their morphological structure, degree of aggressiveness, and location of the main focus. When a tumor develops from linear tissues (tissues of the spleen), there is no systemic damage to lymphoid formations and bone marrow, they speak of primary splenic neoplasms. Primary tumor lesions of the organ are in most cases detected in women in young and middle age. The prevalence of primary tumors in the population is very low and does not exceed 0.003%. The mass of tumor tissue ranges from 20 g to 5 kg.

Secondary processes are more common; specific changes in the parenchyma of the organ are detected in 90% of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma; up to 10% of malignant tumors can metastasize to the spleen. Secondary tumors are the result of diseases of other organs and systems, including blood diseases, immune pathologies, tumors, systemic diseases or damage (injuries) to the spleen. These include: splenic infarction, splenic pedicle torsion, splenic abscess, splenic rupture, splenic cyst, benign and malignant formations of the spleen.

Causes of spleen tumors

The causes of primary tumor transformation of spleen tissue have not been fully established. In secondary neoplasms, the process is provoked by systemic damage to lymphoid tissue or metastatic spread of cells. There is no exact evidence confirming the hereditary nature of neoplasia. According to experts, possible etiological factors of primary and secondary splenic neoplasms are:

Impact of damaging factors

. Pathological growth of spleen tissue can occur under the influence of ionizing radiation, infectious agents, and viruses with oncogenic effects. In addition, the development of neoplasia is sometimes associated with the influence of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nicotine, which have carcinogenic potential. Sometimes the disease occurs against the background of ischemia or direct damage to the splenic parenchyma during trauma, as well as due to parasitic damage to the organ.

Presence of extrasplenic tumors

. Secondary tumor changes are characteristic of malignant lymphoproliferative processes - lymphogranulomatosis, reticulosarcoma, lymphocytic leukemia. In some cases, damage to the spleen is the only manifestation of these cancers. Metastases to the spleen are rare.

Classification of diseases

The existing classifications of splenic cysts are a modification of the classification of R. Fowle (1940), which gives an idea of the diversity of origin of splenic cysts:

Primary (true):
a) parasitic (Echinococcus granulosus); b) non-parasitic:
congenital,
neoplastic (hemangioma, epidermoid, lymphangioma, dermoid).

Secondary (false):

traumatic,
degenerative,
inflammatory.

The most complete classification of spleen tumors was presented by L. Morgenstern in 1985:
I. Tumor-like changes:

a) non-parasitic cyst, b) hamartoma.

II. Vascular tumors:

a) benign:

hemangioma,
lymphangioma,
hemangioendothelioma,
hemangiopericytoma;

c) malignant:

hemangiosarcoma,
lymphangiosarcoma,
hemangioendothelial sarcoma,
malignant hemangiopericytoma.

III.
Lymphoid tumors: a) Hodgkin's disease, b) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, c) plasmacytoma, d) lymph-like diseases:

macrofollicular pseudolymph (Castleman tumor),
localized reactive lymphoid hyperplasia,
inflammatory pseudotumor.

IV.
Non-lymphoid tumors: a) lipoma, angiolipoma, myelolipoma, b) malignant fibrous histiocytoma, c) fibrosarcoma, d) leiomyosarcoma, e) malignant teratoma, f) Kaposi's sarcoma.

Symptoms of spleen tumors

With small tumors, the disease is asymptomatic for a long time with minimal clinical manifestations. The patient has a syndrome of “small signs”: fatigue, weakness, deterioration in performance, loss of appetite, depression, weight loss. As the tumor progresses (up to rupture of the spleen), the patient begins to experience constant pain, heaviness in the left hypochondrium, a feeling of fullness, asymmetry and enlargement of the abdomen, prolonged low-grade fever, and pain in the left abdominal cavity. Sometimes the pain radiates to the left shoulder girdle and shoulder. With a significant increase in the size of the spleen and involvement of neighboring organs in the process, urination disorders, arterial hypertension that is not amenable to drug therapy, and swelling of the lower extremities may be observed.

Diagnosis of splenic tumors

Diagnosis of spleen tumors is difficult in most cases, which is associated with the poor clinical symptoms of this disease. Neoplasms are most often discovered accidentally during routine examinations. The examination plan for a patient with suspected splenic tumor includes the following instrumental and laboratory methods:

allows you to visualize the structure of the parenchyma, assess the size and topography of the organ. Sometimes Doppler ultrasound of the spleen is additionally prescribed, the results of which can be used to judge the blood supply to suspicious nodes and the speed of blood flow in the splenic arteries and veins.
Computed tomography of the abdominal cavity with a bolus of intravenous contrast agent helps to distinguish unchanged parenchyma from tumor foci that do not accumulate contrast. Computed tomography is highly informative and detects tumors in 95% of cases.

Symptoms and course of the disease

The specific symptoms of spleen cancer in dogs may have some differences, which are explained by the location of the tumor and the speed of the disease. Benign tumors may not manifest themselves at all, even in cases where they have already reached a significant size. The reason for a visit to the veterinarian in this case is an enlargement of the dog’s abdomen, or a neoplasm is discovered during an examination related to the diagnosis of any other disease.

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Pets with spleen sarcoma may develop nonspecific signs of the disease, such as general weakness and malaise. Other manifestations often become noticeable only in the later stages of the development of the disease, when the chances of a successful outcome of events become less and less.

Among the common symptoms characteristic of most oncological causes of spleen enlargement, the following are usually distinguished:

pallor of the skin and mucous membranes on the dog’s body;
severe exhaustion, up to anorexia;
indigestion (both diarrhea and persistent constipation may occur);
fainting conditions;
hemorrhagic diathesis (expressed in spontaneous, constantly recurrent bleeding and hemorrhages of varying intensity);
heart rhythm disturbance.

Severe and much more noticeable manifestations of a spleen tumor include the following:

acute collapse after rupture of the primary neoplasm (tumor body);
hemorrhage into the abdominal cavity;
acute vascular insufficiency (expressed in fainting, a sharp decrease in blood pressure and body temperature).

The sooner the owner consults a doctor, the greater the chance he will have of saving the pet’s life, because the acute manifestation of symptoms is very dangerous for the dog’s life and can lead to death within a few hours after the onset of the attack or a sharp deterioration in the animal’s well-being.

Spleen disease in dogs

Author: Valentina Ustinovich Category: Diseases and treatment
Spleen

- an organ that is not vital, but it performs a number of functions necessary for the normal functioning of the body. In dogs, the spleen is located on the left side of the abdominal cavity and consists of 2 types of tissue - red pulp (occupies about 80% of the organ) and white pulp (remaining 20%).

The spleen is responsible for the following tasks

Immune function: recognition, capture and neutralization of pathogens, destruction of ecdotoxins, synthesis of specific antibodies.
Filtration of circulating blood from aging red blood cells.
Synthesis of hemoglobin into bilirubin and hemosiderin.
Accumulation of blood cells (platelets, erythrocytes and leukocytes).
Reservation of iron and participation in its metabolism.
Hematopoiesis.

Therefore, pathologies of this organ negatively affect the condition of the pet.

About ¾ of cases of spleen diseases in dogs are of non-infectious origin and require surgical treatment. Timely detected pathological processes in the spleen can save the life of a pet.

Symptoms

In dogs, spleen diseases are accompanied by the following symptoms:

Increased organ size, bloated abdomen.
With an acute inflammatory process, an increase in the animal’s body temperature and a lack of interest in food may be observed.
Vomiting (noted with the appearance of tumors, as well as with volvulus of the spleen).
Anemia (expressed as pale gums and oral mucosa). Indicates the occurrence of viral infections.
Enlarged lymph nodes.
Dyspnea.
Increased urination.
Diarrhea.
Weight loss.

Diagnosis of the organ is carried out using x-ray or ultrasound. It is also necessary to conduct a biochemical blood test and palpation of the organ (however, this is more difficult to do in hound breeds, due to the fact that the organ is almost completely hidden behind the ribs).

Types of diseases

Diseases of the spleen have different etiologies. Therefore, pathologies are grouped as follows:

Mechanical damage to the organ (formed due to injury to the abdominal area). These include hematomas, volvulus of the spleen, pulp rupture, and cysts.
Infectious processes.
Presence of parasites.
Immunotoxic causes. It is provoked by exposure to toxic substances and an autoimmune factor.
Oncological neoplasms (hemangiosarcoma, lymphosarcoma).

Let's look at some of the pathologies in a little more detail.

Splenomegaly.

Splenomegaly is a disease of the spleen, manifested in an abnormal increase in size of the organ. A healthy organ in dogs can almost double in size. In pathological processes, the diameter of the spleen exceeds 7 cm, the organ is well palpated.

Volvulus of the spleen.

This is the position of the organ in a twisted form. With this pathology, an enlargement of the organ may occur due to circulatory problems. Large breed dogs - Great Danes, St. Bernards, and German Shepherds - are especially prone to volvulus of the spleen.

Cancerous tumors.

Hemangiosarcoma and lymphosarcoma are more common in dogs over 5 years of age. Older animals have lumps on the organ due to hemorrhages. These lumps can develop into a malignant tumor. German Shepherds are more susceptible to hemangiosarcoma. Labradors, boxers, Great Danes, pit bulls and other short-haired dogs are also considered susceptible to cancer. With oncological tumors of the spleen, metastasis to other organs often occurs. In some cases, complete removal of the organ may be necessary.

If you notice symptoms of spleen pathologies, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Pets
animals
dogs
spleen

January 28, 2019| 12:41

How is the diagnosis carried out?

Correct diagnosis is the key to further productive elimination of the problem, therefore, in case of any manifestation of the above-described symptoms, it is so important for the dog owner to contact a veterinary clinic in a timely manner for a full examination of the pet. The doctor will notice an enlarged spleen after a visual examination of the animal and palpation of the organ through the abdominal wall, but to better study the problem, a more detailed diagnosis will be required.

Important! If the diagnostic examination requires the use of sedatives or anesthetics, a cardiac electrocardiogram should be performed on the dog before administering them. It will help identify possible pathologies and reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions to the medicine from this organ.

It is usually based on the following methods:

Ultrasound (in most cases, it is best to determine the shape, structure and size of the spleen, as well as the presence of metastases in the abdominal cavity);
radiographic examination of the chest cavity (makes it possible to identify metastases in the lungs);
echocardiographic examination of the heart (in 45% of cases, a tumor on the spleen also affects this organ);
computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (despite the fact that the possibility of carrying out procedures is typical mainly for large veterinary clinics, such studies accurately show the extent of damage to the spleen and the presence of metastases in any part of the abdominal or thoracic region);
cytological examination of biospecimens obtained using a long needle or after tumor removal (usually the second option is used).

Veterinary clinic of Dr. Shubin

Incidence and risk factors

Tumors of the spleen can develop from all tissues that make up the organ; probable sources of tumors can be blood vessels, lymphoid tissues, smooth muscles and connective tissue of the fibrous capsule.
The main reason for searching for a tumor of the spleen is splenomegaly - an increase in the volume of the organ compared to the norm. Splenomegaly is divided into homogeneous (increase in volume while maintaining shape) and nodular (formation of one or more nodes in the parenchyma. Below are the main pathological causes of splenomegaly in dogs and cats.

Table: Pathological causes of splenomegaly in dogs. Non-neoplastic lesions • Hyperplastic nodes • Hematoma • Splenitis (abscess, granulomas) • Organ congestion (congestive heart failure, splenic torsion, acute dilation/volvulus of the stomach, some drugs) • Infections (fungal, bacterial, viral) Benign tumor lesions • Hemangioma • Lipoma • Leiomyoma • Myelolipoma Malignant tumor lesions • Hemangiosarcoma • Lymphoma • Undifferentiated sarcoma • Fibrosarcoma • Leiomyosarcoma • Malignant histiocytosis • Plasmacytoma • Mastocytoma • Liposarcoma • Mesenchymoma • Myxosarcoma • Histiocytic sarcoma • Osteosarcoma • Metastasis ic carcinoma

Table: Pathological causes of splenomegaly in cats. Non-neoplastic lesions • Congestion • Splenitis • Hypereosinophilic syndrome • Hematoma • Extramedullary hematopoiesis Malignant tumor lesions of cats • Mastocytoma • Lymphoma • Myeloproliferative diseases • Hemangiosarcoma.

In dogs, when the spleen is enlarged, the law (rule) of two thirds applies: two thirds of cases of splenomegaly in dogs develop due to neoplasia, and two thirds of these tumors are hemangiosarcoma. In cats, the main cause of splenomegaly (up to 75%) is malignancy, and most often it is mastocytoma (first most common) or lymphoma (second most common).

Neoplasms of the spleen are more often observed in middle-aged and elderly dogs, with a breed predisposition in medium and large breeds. The German Shepherd is not in first place in terms of predisposition to the formation of hyperplastic nodes, hematomas, hemangiosarcoma and lymphosarcoma, followed by the Golden Retriever and Labrador.

Splenic hemangiosarcoma most often affects dogs aged 8 to 13 years. A breed predisposition to the development of tumors has been noted in the German Shepherd and Golden Retriever.

With nodular hyperplasia of the spleen, German shepherds, cocker spaniels, Labradors, golden retrievers and poodles are predisposed to the disease. There is a possible predisposition to nodular hyperplasia in females.

Biology, behavior, predictions

Below is a description of the most common spleen tumors.

Hemangiosarcoma of the spleen.

Splenic hemangiosarcoma develops from transformed endothelium of blood vessels and is characterized by aggressive behavior - local invasive growth and high metastatic potential. More than half of dogs already have macroscopically detectable metastases at the time of diagnosis. The typical localization of tumor metastases is the liver and lungs; metastases form less frequently in other organs (omentum, peritoneum, brain, muscles and bones). The average lifespan of dogs with surgical treatment alone ranges from 3 weeks to 2 months; with postoperative treatment with chemotherapy drugs, the lifespan can increase to 6 months. Feline hemangiosarcoma is characterized by less aggressive behavior and is much less common than in dogs.

Nodular (nodular) hyperplasia of the spleen in dogs.

Canine nodular splenic hyperplasia is a neoplastic regional proliferation of normal splenic parenchyma cells. Nodular hyperplasia, depending on the ratio of cell components, can be divided into lymphoid, hematopoietic, plasmacytic, fibrohistiocytic and mixed.

Nodular fibrohistiocytic hyperplasia of the spleen is accompanied by proliferation in the organ of a mixed population of spindle cells mixed with hematopoietic cells, plasma cells and lymphocytes. Nodular fibrohistiocytic hyperplasia of the spleen can be a transitional form between a node and a malignant tumor (eg malignant fibrous histiocytoma or generalized histiocytic sarcoma).

The treatment of choice for fibrohistiocytic nodular hyperplasia of the spleen is splenectomy; the average survival time after surgery is about 12 months. Survival is largely determined by a low lymphoid-fibrohistiocytic ratio and a high mitotic index; these factors are associated with a decrease in average life expectancy.

Mastocytoma of the spleen.

Splenic mastocytoma is more common in cats, in which up to 50% of mastocytosis affects the visceral organs. Splenic mastocytosis accounts for approximately 50% of the causes of splenic hyperplasia in cats. The average age of tumor onset in cats is 10 years; no breed or gender predisposition has been identified. A malignant course with widespread dissemination and the formation of distant metastases is characteristic. Paraneoplastic syndrome in mastocytoma of the spleen of cats can be caused by the release of histamine by tumor cells (gastric ulcers, vomiting, anorexia). Splenectomy gives an average survival for feline splenic mastocytoma of about 12 months; the role of chemotherapy is uncertain.

In dogs, mastocytoma primarily of the spleen is quite rare; the visceral form of mastocytosis is more often noted, which follows primary skin lesions.

Lymphoma of the spleen.

Lymphosarcoma of the spleen in most cases presents as part of a systemic disease; in rare cases, lymphoma in dogs may be limited to the spleen.

Malignant histiocytosis of the spleen

Clinical signs

The history of splenic tumors is poorly specific, and signs can range from mild weakness to asymptomatic abdominal enlargement and sudden death due to tumor rupture and massive blood loss.

When palpating the abdomen, an enlarged spleen is easily determined in most animals; further examination requires the use of visual diagnostic methods, with an emphasis on ultrasound examination of the spleen. Ultrasound best determines deviations in the structure and shape of the spleen; it is also ultrasound that best determines the presence of metastases in the abdominal cavity.

Radiographic examination of the chest cavity allows identification of metastases in the lungs. In view of this, with hemangiosarcoma, cardiac damage is likely (up to 45%), if this disease is suspected, an echocardiographic study is mandatory.

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are capable of more fully assessing damage to the spleen and the presence of metastases, but they are used quite rarely due to their high cost and poor availability.

Due to the fact that various rhythm disturbances are often observed in malignant and benign tumors of the spleen, an electrocardiogram should be assessed before planning anesthesia.

The final diagnosis requires pathological examination. Cytological examination of fine-needle biopsy samples obtained under ultrasound guidance makes it possible to make an accurate diagnosis in up to 61% of cases with a low probability of complications. In other cases, the diagnosis is made after splenectomy and histopathological examination of the obtained material.

Treatment

The goals of treatment for splenic tumors are to slow the progression of the disease, control clinical manifestations, and maintain optimal quality of life for as long as possible.

In the absence of metastases, the method of choice is splenectomy (except for lymphoma); for canine splenic hemangiosarcoma, additional chemotherapy is performed. For lymphoma (lymphosarcoma), chemotherapy treatment is carried out in monotherapy.

Valery Shubin, veterinarian, Balakovo

Treatment of spleen cancer in dogs

Since the cause of an enlarged spleen is most often a tumor, the dog cannot be saved with medications alone, so it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention. Specially selected chemotherapy, which in such a situation can be considered an example of standard drug treatment, will help to consolidate the positive effect of the operation.

Carrying out the operation

If the dog’s spleen is enlarged and the cause is a tumor, it will have to be removed, regardless of whether it is benign or malignant. Small tumors can be excised, leaving the spleen itself intact. However, if the lesion is extensive, the entire diseased organ will need to be removed. Of course, if there are a large number of metastases in neighboring areas, even this procedure will not help cure the dog, but in any case it will slightly prolong its life, improving its general condition. Further chemotherapy is important to achieve these goals.

Did you know? Dogs are more likely than any other animal to fall under the wheels of a car due to their carelessness and inattention.

Chemotherapy

The use of this treatment method is deservedly considered the most effective way to fight cancer, and not only for problems with the spleen. Having achieved a state of remission, the owner has every chance to prolong the life of his pet, however, one should not forget about the side effects of such strong drugs: first of all, the liver and kidneys suffer from them (renal failure develops).

The impact on cancer cells is often carried out using anti-inflammatory steroid compounds, developed on the basis of hormones similar to those normally produced by the animal’s adrenal glands. Unfortunately, the effect of their use only lasts for a few months, and in the future the body can develop resistance to drugs used in the fight against malignant neoplasms.

The most effective compounds for fighting cancer include doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide and piroxicam. For symptomatic treatment of the animal, analgesics and antispasmodics can be prescribed, but only if the pet is in constant pain.

If the treatment is chosen correctly, at a certain stage of growth the entire cancerous tumor or only its metastases (remaining in the animal’s body after surgical removal of the source of the disease) stop growing and the same period of remission is observed.

Important! After the operation, it is important not to let the dog lick the stitches, as this could cause infection or cause them to separate. The seam area must always remain dry and clean.

How to feed a dog with a sick spleen

Like any other patient, it is very important for a dog with spleen problems to choose a balanced and at the same time “gentle” diet, using only easily digestible food. In order not to burden the body, it is better to give food in small portions, and as for the diet itself, it can include both special ready-made dietary foods and self-prepared dishes (non-rich broths occupy a leading place in this matter).

In the first time after surgery, it is advisable to soak hard foods in water or the same broth. The regular menu is returned gradually, gradually mixing the usual food into the new diet. In addition to broths, kefir, porridge and cottage cheese would be appropriate here. There should always be a container of clean water near the resting place of a sick pet.

In addition to proper nutrition, there are a number of other recommendations for caring for a dog with spleen problems. If bleeding, stomach upset or any other abnormalities occur, you should immediately inform your veterinarian.

SobakinoAbout dogs for people

The spleen plays a huge role in the dog’s body. First of all, it supports the immune system. It is also part of the cleansing function of the animal’s body and a powerful filter, since it destroys dead blood cells and platelets, and helps the animal’s body get rid of harmful microbes and bacteria and foreign bodies. The spleen is the largest store of iron in the dog's body and the producer of lymphocytes and red blood cells. Naturally, diseases of the spleen cause enormous damage to the dog’s health and require mandatory treatment.

The first sign of spleen disease is its enlargement. The spleen can enlarge either slightly or very much, depending on the disease itself. However, in dogs it is possible to visually notice a disease of the spleen only when it has already increased quite significantly.

There are also other symptoms. For example, lack of appetite and increased temperature may indicate an inflammatory process occurring inside the spleen. If the hematopoietic functions in the animal’s body are impaired, shortness of breath and anemia appear. A sign of anemia is paleness of the gums and the rest of the oral mucosa. Anemia, or anemia, indicates that a viral infection is progressing in the dog’s body. Vomiting may be a signal that the animal has a volvulus of the spleen. And an increase in the abdominal cavity in the area of this organ may indicate the presence of some kind of neoplasm. If your dog has any of these symptoms, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis in order to prescribe the correct treatment.

In general, the most popular method for diagnosing spleen diseases in dogs is ultrasound of this organ. An ultrasound examination of the spleen can show almost 100% of its physical damage. When diagnosing diseases of the spleen, an x-ray examination is often performed. Usually it is either additional in order to exclude diseases of other organs located near the spleen, or it is used if it is not possible to conduct an ultrasound. Angiocontrast radiography can also be used. It is performed in order to examine the veins of the spleen in detail. Also, in the diagnosis of spleen diseases, various blood tests are used, which show the level of certain cells, which helps to more accurately establish the diagnosis of a sick animal. The Doppler effect is also used in diagnostics. This is an ultrasound examination of blood flow.

In general, such complex studies have been and will be used for a long time in the diagnosis of spleen diseases in dogs. But currently there is a more innovative diagnostic method - laparoscopy. It is not used in every veterinary clinic and is innovative and very accurate. Moreover, laparoscopy in a number of cases has shown incorrect diagnosis of spleen disease in dogs using other research methods.

In particular, at the initial stage, clinic specialists conducted an experimental laparoscopic study on 15 dogs. Preliminary diagnoses such as abdominal neoplasm and splenomegaly (an increase in the size of the spleen) were studied. Laparoscopy is performed in such a way that tubes are inserted into the dog’s abdominal cavity through punctures and air is pumped, usually carbon dioxide. Next, using special manipulators, specialists examine the animal’s abdominal organs. This allows for a more accurate and detailed diagnosis. Laparoscopy can also help determine the consistency of the spleen, the size and foci of the tumor.

After the procedure, which lasts about half an hour, the tube is removed from the abdominal cavity and the gas is released. Animals are also given drugs that support blood pressure, antihistamines and drugs with antihypoxic effects, which help them recover as soon as possible. The wound is also sutured and treated with antiseptic agents to avoid blood poisoning and suppuration in the animal. The entire study is carried out under anesthesia, and in order for the animal to emerge from this state more calmly, the animals are given drugs to relieve intoxication.

What does laparoscopy ultimately provide as a method for examining the spleen in a dog? Firstly, no complications were found after it, secondly, in a number of cases the diagnoses were clarified as much as possible, and thirdly, in some patients the diagnoses identified during ultrasound examination were refuted. It follows that laparoscopy is the most accurate method for diagnosing spleen diseases in dogs. And, thanks to this method, it is possible not only to prolong the life and improve the health of the animal, but also, in some cases, to preserve such a vital organ as the spleen.

What is the prognosis for recovery?

Unfortunately, in most situations it is impossible to talk about the complete recovery of a dog with a malignant tumor in the spleen, because even after its removal, the metastases remaining in the body can lead to a new outbreak of cancer with the oncology transitioning from the remission stage to the active one. With benign neoplasms, the prognosis is more optimistic, but even here the re-development of the same problem cannot be ruled out.

Important! If your dog does not go to the toilet for several days after surgery, there is no need to worry. Most pets refuse food within three days after the procedure, which means they simply have nothing to defecate with.

If veterinarians managed to identify oncology at the 1st or 2nd stage, then the pet may well live 12–18 months or even more, but already with the 3rd stage of cancer, with the condition of removal of the affected organ and further chemotherapy, they do not live up to a year more than 5% of animals. The presence of chronic diseases only worsens the overall picture, reducing the dog’s chances of life.

Diagnostics

Splenic hemangioma is usually diagnosed by ultrasound examination.
The method allows you to effectively examine the tumor and assess its size. Radiography and angiography can also be used to diagnose splenic hemangioma. The angiography method, which involves introducing a special X-ray contrast agent into the bloodstream, allows you to obtain a detailed image of the formation, evaluate its structure, and accurately determine the size and location.