Splenectomy in Dogs

An enlarged spleen in dogs can be caused by a surprising range of things, from a simple benign growth to a much more serious tumor, and figuring out which one you’re dealing with often means the difference between watchful waiting and immediate surgery. It’s a diagnosis that tends to catch pet owners off guard, usually arriving during a routine exam or an emergency visit rather than something anyone saw coming. Because the spleen can be safely removed when it becomes diseased or dangerous, splenectomy in dogs is one of the more common ways veterinarians address this problem, and understanding why it’s recommended can make a frightening moment feel a lot more manageable. In this article, our team at Highland Pet Hospital in Lakeland walks through what causes an enlarged spleen, when surgery becomes necessary, and what pet owners can expect before, during, and after the procedure.

What Is the Spleen and What Does It Do?

The spleen sits tucked near the stomach and plays several important behind-the-scenes roles in a dog’s body, including filtering blood, storing red blood cells, and supporting immune function. Because it’s a soft, blood-rich organ, it’s also particularly vulnerable to injury, abnormal growths, and conditions that cause it to enlarge.

What Causes Enlarged Spleen in Dogs?

The spleen plays an important role in filtering blood and supporting the immune system, but it’s also prone to a variety of conditions that can cause it to enlarge. Common causes of an enlarged spleen in dogs include:

• Benign growths, such as hematomas
• Malignant tumors, including hemangiosarcoma
• Infections affecting the spleen or surrounding organs
• Torsion, where the spleen twists on itself
• Trauma leading to internal bleeding
• Chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the abdomen

Because many causes of an enlarged spleen in dogs don’t produce obvious symptoms until the condition is advanced, it’s sometimes discovered incidentally during imaging performed for an unrelated reason, such as a routine wellness ultrasound or bloodwork follow-up.

Is an Enlarged Spleen in Dogs Always Cancer?

Not necessarily, though the possibility of cancer, particularly hemangiosarcoma, is one of the primary reasons veterinarians take an enlarged spleen seriously. Benign conditions can look similar to malignant ones on imaging, which is why further diagnostics, and often surgery itself, are typically needed to determine the exact cause. This uncertainty is part of why splenectomy in dogs is frequently recommended even before a definitive diagnosis is confirmed, since removing the spleen provides both treatment and the tissue sample needed for an accurate answer.

When Is a Splenectomy in Dogs Recommended?

A splenectomy in dogs is generally recommended in several key situations:

• When the spleen has ruptured and is causing internal bleeding
• When a mass is found that could be cancerous
• When the spleen has twisted, cutting off its blood supply
• When ongoing pain or complications are linked directly to the spleen
• When imaging shows a mass large enough to pose an ongoing rupture risk

Because dogs can live a full, healthy life without a spleen, removing it is often the safest path forward when the organ itself has become a source of risk. Other organs, including the liver, help take over many of the spleen’s functions once it’s gone.

What Happens If an Enlarged Spleen Isn’t Treated?

Left untreated, an enlarged spleen in dogs (particularly one caused by a tumor or torsion) can rupture, leading to sudden and severe internal bleeding. This is considered a veterinary emergency and is one of the most common reasons a splenectomy in dogs is performed on an urgent basis rather than as a scheduled procedure. Dogs experiencing a ruptured spleen often show sudden weakness, pale gums, or collapse, and require immediate veterinary attention.

What to Expect During a Splenectomy in Dogs

A splenectomy is performed under general anesthesia and involves removing the spleen through an abdominal incision. At Highland Pet Hospital, our veterinary team evaluates each dog’s overall health, runs pre-surgical bloodwork, and discusses the specific risks and expectations before moving forward with surgery. In emergency situations involving a ruptured spleen, surgery may need to happen quickly to stabilize the dog, sometimes with little advance notice for the pet owner.

During the procedure itself, the surgical team carefully isolates the blood vessels supplying the spleen before removing the organ, which helps minimize blood loss. The abdomen is then closed, and the dog is closely monitored during recovery from anesthesia.

Recovery After Splenectomy in Dogs

Most dogs recover well after a splenectomy, though the initial days involve rest, pain management, and monitoring of the incision site. Full recovery timelines vary depending on the underlying reason for surgery and each dog’s overall health, but most dogs are up and moving comfortably within a week or two. Dogs generally return to normal activity levels within a few weeks, and long-term quality of life following splenectomy in dogs is typically very good.

Pet owners are usually asked to limit strenuous activity during the initial healing period and to watch the incision site for any swelling, redness, or discharge. Highland Pet Hospital schedules a follow-up visit to confirm the incision is healing properly before releasing dogs back to their normal exercise routine.

Understanding the Biopsy Results

Once the spleen is removed, it’s sent for biopsy to determine whether the cause was benign or malignant. This step is a critical part of splenectomy in dogs, since the biopsy results guide any follow-up care, including whether additional treatment for cancer may be needed. Biopsy results typically take several days to return, and waiting during this window is often one of the harder parts of the process for pet owners. Highland Pet Hospital walks pet owners through these results and next steps in detail once they’re available, including referral to a veterinary oncologist when further cancer treatment is appropriate.

Are Certain Breeds More Prone to Spleen Problems?

Some breeds appear more frequently in cases involving an enlarged spleen and subsequent splenectomy in dogs, particularly large and giant breeds such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers. This may be linked to a higher incidence of hemangiosarcoma in these breeds, though spleen issues can occur in dogs of any size or breed. Older dogs are also more commonly affected, which is one reason senior wellness visits often include abdominal palpation and, when warranted, imaging to check the spleen and other organs.

Life After Splenectomy in Dogs

Dogs adapt remarkably well to life without a spleen. While the organ supports immune function, other parts of the body compensate over time, and most dogs go on to live active, comfortable lives after recovery. If your dog has been diagnosed with an enlarged spleen or is facing a splenectomy, our team at Highland Pet Hospital in Lakeland is here to support you through every step of the process, from diagnosis through recovery. Call us at (863) 644-6634 or make an appointment.