Spleen Problems in Dogs

Spleen problems in dogs are very common and it can be caused due to various factors like bacterial infection, accidental trauma, inflammation of the internal organs, spleen cell tumors and various other immune system disorders in dogs.

Structure and Function of Spleen
Spleen is an extended dark red colored organ that is located near the stomach and in the left forward part of the abdomen. Spleen has the shape of a tongue and its length is relatively bigger than its width. The spleen is constricted in the middle and it is covered by a capsule of fibrous tissue. The internal parts of the spleen consist of red pulp, white pulp and marginal zone. The spleen is supplied with numerous blood vessels and it performs the crucial function of filtering blood and helps in various other immune functions. The spleen consists of lymphocytes and macrophages, two immune system cells that help in resisting against the external agents and viruses.

Symptoms of Spleen Disorders in Dogs
Various symptoms of spleen problems in dogs that affect the dog health are mentioned below.

• Many dogs develop pale gums that may be due to the bleeding into the abdomen or due to a tumor that has ruptured.
• Abdomen stretching or abdominal enlargement.
• Areas in the abdomen can show hard masses or lumps.
• Weakness, lethargy and lack of playfulness in the dog.
• Loss of appetite in dogs
• Dark, port wine colored urine due to the passage of blood cells and hemoglobin.

Spleen Problems in Dogs
Spleen problems are a sign of some underlying dog illness, that may be affecting your dog. Various spleen problems that can affect a dogs have been mentioned below.

Splenic Torison
Splenic torison is a spleen problem that affects deep chested dogs. In this case, the spleen enlarges (called as splenomegaly in medical terminology) because the blood vessels twist and the spleen is over filled with blood. Blood clots develop in the blood vessels and the spleen dies off, a condition known as of necrosis. Read more on enlarged spleen in dogs.

Hemorrhage
Hemorrhage in spleen can occur due to accidents or due to the rupturing of a tumor that hasn't yet been treated. Hemorrhage in the serious cases can lead to death.

Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma is a tumor of the spleen that frequently results in the rupturing of the spleen. There is severe internal bleeding in this case and this tumor spreads slowly to the brain, lungs, liver, spinal cords, skin, muscle and even the fat under the skin.

Lymphosarcoma
Lymphosarcoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes that may involve the spleen. In fact, cancer of the white blood cells (leukemia) and mast cells (mastocytoma ) are known to effect the spleen.

Diagnosis of Spleen Problems in Dogs
Canine spleen problems are usually diagnosed by following ways.

• The blood count of the dog is measured.
• Urinalysis and checking of past medical complications.
• Radiographs for chest in order to detect cancers.
• Ultrasound of the abdomen area to examine the spleen, liver and other organs in that vicinity.

Treatment of Spleen Problems in Dogs
Timely treatment is essential in order to save the dog from spleen diseases. Various treatments are as follows.

• Administering intravenous fluids and blood transmission in the case of splenic torison. It is called as stabilization.
• Monitoring the heart for improper heart rhythm.
• Surgeries can be performed in the case of a liver and spleen biopsy, examining the abdominal area of the body.
• Fluid therapy is given after the surgeries.

Spleen problems in dogs can be treated in the initial stages of the disease. However, there are some potential threats related to the surgeries or the treatments. It is advisable to strictly follow the veterinarian doctor's advice, take proper dog care and go for the safest mode of treatment.