How does a splenectomy affect a dog?

A splenectomy is the total removal of the spleen from the dog’s body. The spleen is responsible for storing blood vessels and cleaning toxins from the blood. If damaged, it can bleed profusely into the abdominal cavity, causing anaemia, low blood pressure, shock and even death.

Does a splenectomy affect life expectancy in dogs?

With splenectomy alone, the reported median survival time is 86 d with an estimated 1-year survival rate of 6.25% (8). A more recent study reported a median survival time of 1.6 mo with 11.1% alive at 1 y and 4% alive at 2 y following splenectomy alone (3).

What should I watch after my dog has a splenectomy?

After surgery, your dog will need to be monitored and treated for anemia, pain and heart arrhythmias. Depending on the biopsy results, your veterinarian may recommend further therapies, such as chemotherapy.

What to expect after dog had spleen removed?

Your pet may be able to go home the same day or may require several days of hospitalization. When discharged, full recovery should occur in two weeks. The diseased spleen and its large blood clots may weigh up to 10 lbs in a large dog and therefore, pets will appear substantially thinner after surgery.

What is the life expectancy after spleen removal?

Survival. When considering all cases, the median survival was 80 months. Following emergency splenectomy, the median survival was 72 months compared with 89 months following elective surgery (p=0.381) (Table 1).

What can a dog eat after spleen removal?

All dogs should have quality food. However, this is especially important after spleen removal. Too much starch can harm a dog’s immune system, so we need to ensure the feed we buy is low-starch and grain-free. While we can feed a dog without a spleen dry feed, it is best we give them at least some wet food.

Which of the following is a complication of splenectomy?

Infections, particularly pulmonary and abdominal sepsis, constitute the majority of the complications. The mortality rate from postoperative sepsis is substantial. Atelectasis, pancreatitis/fistula, pulmonary embolism and bleeding at the operative site are also relatively common occurrences following splenic removal.

What is the most common early complication of open splenectomy?

These are reported with both open and laparoscopic splenectomy. Early postoperative complications include pulmonary complications (atelectasis to pneumonia), subphrenic abscess, ileus, portal vein thrombosis, thrombocytosis, thrombotic complications, and wound complications (hematomas, seromas, and wound infections).

What are the long term effects of a splenectomy?

A recent study from a large cohort of American veterans showed an increased risk of death due to septicemia, pulmonary embolism, coronary artery disease and cancer more than 10 years after splenectomy.