What is a Splenectomy?
A splenectomy is a surgical procedure in which a veterinarian removes a dog’s spleen. The spleen is an organ located in the abdomen that helps filter blood and store immune cells. There are several reasons a veterinarian may recommend a splenectomy for a dog:
Enlarged Spleen – The spleen may become enlarged due to cancer, infection, or other diseases. An enlarged spleen can rupture, cause abdominal pain, or interfere with other organs. Removing the spleen treats the underlying condition causing the enlargement.
Spleen Tumors – Tumors in the spleen are common in older dogs. These are usually benign growths but may still require removal of the spleen.
Splenic Torsion – This is when the spleen twists on itself, cutting off blood flow. Emergency surgery is required to untwist or remove the spleen.
Injury – Trauma such as being hit by a car can rupture the spleen. A splenectomy removes the damaged spleen.
Hemangiosarcoma – This type of cancer in the spleen causes internal bleeding. Removing the spleen can extend a dog’s life expectancy.
Immune Mediated Disease – Diseases where the immune system attacks the body may respond to splenectomy. These include autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and others.
Preparing for Surgery
Before undergoing a splenectomy, your dog will need to go through some pre-operative screening and preparation. This usually involves the following:
Pre-operative tests – Your vet will likely run some pre-operative bloodwork, urinalysis, blood pressure check, and may take chest radiographs. This allows them to ensure your dog is in overall good health before surgery [1].
Fasting – You will be instructed to withhold all food and treats after a certain time (usually midnight) before your dog’s surgery. Water may be allowed up until the morning of the procedure. This empty stomach helps prevent issues like vomiting during anesthesia [2].
Admission – Your dog will need to be admitted to the vet hospital on the morning of surgery. This allows the surgical team to get intravenous fluids going, administer any needed pre-medication, and monitor your dog leading up to the operation [1].
The Splenectomy Procedure
The splenectomy procedure involves surgically removing the spleen under general anesthesia. It typically takes 1-2 hours for the surgery itself. The dog will be under anesthesia for 2-3 hours total including prep and recovery time.
During the surgery, the veterinarian will make an incision in the dog’s abdomen to access the spleen. The spleen has multiple blood vessels connected to it which must be located and tied off before the spleen can be removed. Once the spleen is detached, it is taken out and the abdomen is closed with stitches or staples.
Possible complications from a splenectomy include excessive bleeding, infection, pancreatitis, and blood clots. The risk of complications is low with an experienced veterinary surgeon performing the procedure. Dogs generally recover well from splenectomy surgery, especially when they are otherwise healthy.
Recovering at the Vet
After a splenectomy surgery, your dog will need to stay at the veterinary clinic for 1-2 days for post-operative monitoring and care. The vet team will closely monitor your dog’s vital signs like heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature to ensure they are stable. Pain management is extremely important, so your dog will likely receive injectable pain medication like buprenorphine for the first 12-24 hours.
According to veterinary experts, the two biggest potential post-splenectomy complications are hemorrhage and peritonitis from infection[1]. To prevent excessive bleeding, your vet will avoid using blood thinners if possible. Peritonitis risk is reduced through sterile surgical techniques, antibiotics, and careful incision site monitoring. Your dog may need to continue antibiotics at home to prevent infection.
By keeping your dog comfortable, monitoring for complications, and taking preventative measures, the veterinary team helps ensure your dog has the best possible chance for a smooth recovery after their splenectomy.
Bringing Your Dog Home
After a splenectomy, your dog will likely need to stay at the vet for 1-2 nights for post-operative monitoring before coming home. Be sure to follow all of the home care instructions provided by your vet [1]. This will include guidelines for caring for the incision site, administering any medications, and dietary recommendations.
Check the incision site daily for the first 1-2 weeks and keep it clean and dry. Look for signs of redness, swelling, discharge or opening of the incision [2]. Contact your vet if you notice any issues. Your dog may need to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking or scratching at the site.
Your dog will need to take it very easy in the weeks after surgery. Short, leashed walks are recommended to allow bathroom breaks but strenuous activity should be avoided. Limit access to stairs, jumping on furniture, and rough play. Your vet will provide guidance on slowly increasing activity over the course of recovery.
Diet and Nutrition
After a splenectomy, it’s important to feed your dog a diet that will support healing and help rebuild the blood supply. Vets typically recommend feeding a highly digestible blood-building diet for 2-4 weeks after surgery.
Some good options include:
- Home cooked meals with lean protein like chicken or salmon, rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and green beans
- High quality commercial dog food formulated for gastrointestinal and immune system health
- Prescription canned food for dogs recovering from surgery or illness
Certain supplements can also aid recovery after a splenectomy. These include:
- Probiotics to support healthy digestion
- Fish oil for anti-inflammatory effects
- Vitamin B12 and iron to improve red blood cell production
Around 4 weeks after surgery, you can gradually transition back to your dog’s normal diet as long as they are tolerating the recovery diet well. It’s important not to overwhelm your dog’s digestive system too quickly after surgery. Some dogs may need to remain on a special diet long-term if they have difficulty digesting regular dog food.
Activity Level
It is crucial to restrict your dog’s activity level and ensure adequate rest in the weeks following a splenectomy. The spleen plays an important role in the immune system, so its removal leaves dogs vulnerable to infection while they recover. Restricting activity helps prevent complications like internal bleeding or infection at the surgery site.
For the first two weeks after surgery, only provide short, leashed walks of 5-10 minutes 1-2 times per day. Do not allow any running, jumping, rough play, or strenuous activity. Confine your dog to a crate or small room when unattended to prevent excessive movement. You may increase walk duration and frequency gradually after 2 weeks, but vigorous activity should be avoided for at least 4-6 weeks post-surgery.
Around 6-8 weeks after the splenectomy, your vet will likely clear your dog to resume normal exercise. Slowly increase activity over 2-4 weeks before allowing full access to running and play. Listen to your dog’s signals—if they seem tired or sore, scale back exercise. With time and patience, most dogs bounce back to their usual active selves after splenectomy recovery.
It’s normal to be eager to exercise your dog after surgery, but restraint is crucial in these initial weeks. Providing adequate rest and restricted activity will give your dog the best chance at healing properly after a splenectomy. Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions about safely increasing your dog’s activity level after this procedure.
Long-Term Care
Your dog will require ongoing monitoring by your veterinarian after a splenectomy. It’s important to schedule regular checkups to ensure your dog is healing properly. Some post-op complications like infections can arise days or even weeks after surgery, so vigilance is key.
Make sure to monitor your dog closely during recovery. Watch for signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums, weakness, or collapse. These could indicate internal bleeding, infection, or other issues. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Your vet may want to run bloodwork periodically to check cell counts.
Your dog may be more susceptible to certain illnesses after spleen removal. Discuss prevention and care strategies with your vet, like minimizing exposure to contagious diseases. You may need to avoid dog parks and other high-risk areas during the recovery period.
With close monitoring and preventative care from your vet, most dogs go on to live a normal life after a splenectomy. But be vigilant, as lifelong management is required after this surgery.
Quality of Life
The splenectomy procedure often significantly improves a dog’s quality of life, especially when removing a diseased or cancerous spleen. After recovering from surgery, most dogs are able to resume their normal daily activities and energetic play. According to some sources, the average lifespan after splenectomy surgery can range from 6 months up to several years, depending on the underlying cause for spleen removal.
Without the spleen, dogs may be more prone to certain infections. However, with proper care and preventative medicine from your veterinarian, your dog can live a happy and fulfilling life. Be sure to monitor your dog closely and watch for any signs of lethargy, weakness, or illness, reporting anything abnormal to your vet. But overall, splenectomy offers dogs a good prognosis and largely normal lifespan in most cases.
According to one veterinary source, “Most of these dogs do fantastic with surgery and often are back to their normal happy selves 24-48 hrs later. Even the old ones. They feel so much better once that diseased spleen is gone” (Davidson Veterinary Associates). So while lifelong care is important, quality of life is often significantly improved by splenectomy.
When to Consult Your Vet
It’s important to watch for any concerning signs or symptoms after your dog’s splenectomy and contact your veterinarian if needed. According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons[1], you should call your vet if:
- Your dog is lethargic or depressed
- Your dog is not eating or drinking normally
- You notice pale gums or other signs of anemia
- Your dog has a fever above 102.5°F
- There is vomiting, diarrhea, or straining to defecate
- You notice any swelling, discharge, or redness at the incision site
- Your dog is coughing, having trouble breathing, or seems in pain
According to the University of Tennessee veterinary teaching hospital[2], call your vet immediately if you notice any of the following emergency warning signs:
- Weakness
- Pale gums
- Collapse
- Difficulty breathing
- Uncontrolled bleeding
Your vet may want to examine your dog or run tests to check for post-operative complications like infection, bleeding, or clot formation. Prompt veterinary attention can help manage any issues and prevent serious complications. Don’t hesitate to call your vet with any concerns after splenectomy surgery.