Removal of the spleen (splenectomy)

Let's understand its role:

• The spleen is a depot for red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets, and at the same time controls their formation.
• It performs the process of blood filtration, participates in the production of antibodies against viral diseases.

Splenectomy is a complete removal of the spleen.

This is a planned or urgent surgical intervention of a rather high complexity, so it should be performed in specialized clinics with good surgical and anesthetic equipment, a laboratory, and an intensive care unit.

Can an animal live without a spleen?

• An animal can live without a spleen, but the body is less able to fight infections.

Indications for splenectomy:

• Usually performed to relieve clinical signs: hemorrhage, splenic neoplasia, hemangiosarcoma, splenic neoplasia, splenic torsion, acute gastric dilation-torsion, mechanical trauma to the spleen, abscess or rupture of a hematoma.
• Animals with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, or anemia that is resistant to medical treatment, may also benefit from spleen removal.

How do I know if there is a problem?

Most often, spleen disease is asymptomatic. The first sign of the disease is an increase in spleen volume, but in case of systemic inflammation, infectious disease, this condition is considered normal for the spleen, the organ is under increased stress, but after recovery it should return to normal.

To make the correct diagnosis, it is necessary to collect anamnesis (complaints from the owner).

The examination reveals anemia, sometimes renal failure. The pet refuses to eat, starts drinking more water and going to the toilet more often, bloating, sudden weight loss, vomiting, upset, constipation, diarrhea.

Diagnostics is carried out:

• General and biochemical blood test.
• X-ray is performed
• An ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is performed.

Splenectomy is a surgical intervention that is performed under general anesthesia and high-quality pain relief. The surgeon performs a laparotomy, visualizes the spleen, examines it, removes it, and if a tumor is found, takes a sample for histological examination.

After the operation, the patient needs inpatient treatment for one to three days on average, receives antibacterial and analgesic drugs, and then is discharged home.

Remember that only an experienced doctor can correctly detect an enlarged spleen and make a differential diagnosis. You should not try to make a diagnosis yourself - entrust your pet to a professional to start treatment as soon as possible.