🩸 Vet Guide to Splenic Masses and Splenectomy in Dogs: Diagnosis, Surgery & Recovery in 2025 🐶

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Splenic masses are a common and potentially life-threatening issue in dogs, especially in larger breeds and older pets. Often silent until bleeding begins, these masses can be benign or malignant, and immediate intervention may be life-saving. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the role of the spleen, the types of masses, emergency signs, surgical removal, and recovery care—essential information for any pet owner in 2025. 💉🐾

What Does the Spleen Do? 🧠

Although dogs can live without a spleen, this organ provides key support functions:

• 🔴 Blood Reservoir: Stores red blood cells for emergency use
• 🧹 Removes Old RBCs: Recycles iron from aged or damaged cells
• 🧬 Fights Infections: Removes parasites or antibody-tagged cells
• 🛡️ Immune Role: White pulp functions like a lymph node

Its architecture makes it a natural blood filter—but that also means masses can rupture and cause dangerous bleeds. 🩸

Why Are Splenic Masses Dangerous? 🚨

The most common concern is sudden, life-threatening bleeding due to mass rupture. Key tumor types include:

1. Hemangioma (Benign)

• 🌱 Made of abnormal blood vessels
• 🩹 Curable if caught and removed before rupture

2. Hemangiosarcoma (Malignant)

• 🔥 Aggressive cancer from spleen’s blood vessels
• ⚠️ Prone to rupture and internal bleeding
• 🧬 Often metastasizes (spreads to other organs)

Other Less Common Tumors

• 🐈 Mast cell tumors (common in cats)
• 🧠 Lymphosarcoma (a type of blood cancer)

Ruptured splenic tumors can cause sudden collapse and death. Recognizing signs early is vital. ⏱️

Signs of a Splenic Bleed 🧯

• ⚖️ Sudden weakness or collapse
• 🧊 Cold limbs or gums
• 😶 Pale mucous membranes
• 🔁 Dramatic recovery, then relapse (indicative of intermittent bleeds)

How Are Splenic Masses Detected? 🩻

1. Physical Exam

• 🖐️ A large, firm mass may be felt in the abdomen

2. Bloodwork

• 🧪 Responsive anemia indicates active bleeding

3. Imaging

• 📷 Abdominal X-rays: Check for visible masses
• 🔬 Ultrasound: Determines mass origin and internal bleeding
• 🫁 Chest X-rays: Check for tumor spread to lungs

Note: Liver masses can mimic spleen tumors—imaging helps distinguish them. 🧬

Surgical Removal (Splenectomy) 🛠️

If the mass has not yet ruptured, elective splenectomy is ideal. If bleeding is active, emergency surgery is needed. 🔪

Key Considerations:

• 🩸 Bleeding risk is high—blood transfusions are often required
• 💉 PCV (packed cell volume) will be monitored to assess red blood cell levels
• 🧪 Biopsy of the removed spleen determines if the tumor is benign or malignant

Risks During Surgery:

• 🔪 Hemorrhage during vessel ligation
• 🛌 Intraoperative blood loss requiring transfusion

Post-Surgery Recovery

• 📆 Most dogs go home within 1–2 days
• 💊 Pain meds, antibiotics, and iron supplements prescribed
• 🧴 Bandages may help minimize incision bleeding

Without a spleen, dogs live normal lives—but their immune systems are slightly compromised, especially against blood-borne infections. 🧪

What If Surgery Isn’t an Option? ❌

For dogs too fragile for surgery or whose owners decline it, palliative care is the next step:

• 🩹 Belly wraps can help control bleeding temporarily
• 🌿 Chinese herbs like Yunnan Baiyao support clotting
• 💊 NSAIDs and pain relief for comfort

Metronomic chemotherapy is a newer low-dose treatment that targets the tumor’s blood supply and may offer quality-of-life benefits with fewer side effects. 🧬

What to Expect If the Tumor Is Malignant 🔬

If a hemangiosarcoma is confirmed, the prognosis is guarded:

• 📉 Life expectancy with splenectomy alone: ~1–3 months
• 📈 With chemotherapy: 4–6 months on average

However, if the tumor is benign, splenectomy may be curative and your dog can return to a full life. ❤️

Other Reasons for Splenectomy 🦴

1. Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (Bloat)

• 🌀 Stomach twists and pulls the spleen with it
• ✂️ Splenic removal often needed due to damage

2. Trauma

• 🚗 Car accidents or kicks may rupture spleen
• 🧵 Minor tears may be repaired; major ruptures need removal

FAQs Before Surgery ❓

• 💉 What if bleeding starts before surgery?
  Apply a snug belly bandage and rush to a veterinary ER.
• 🩸 What if the tumor is malignant?
  Discuss your wishes for continued care, chemo, or euthanasia before surgery if possible.
• 🛏️ How will my dog recover?
  Expect fatigue, weight loss, and a large abdominal incision—but most dogs bounce back well.

Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston 👨‍⚕️

Splenic masses can strike silently, but with vigilance and swift veterinary care, many dogs recover well—even after emergency surgery. While a malignant tumor like hemangiosarcoma is serious, not all splenic masses are cancerous. Timely diagnosis, supportive care, and open communication with your vet can make all the difference. 🐶❤️

Need answers fast? Connect with a licensed vet anytime via Ask A Vet or download the Ask A Vet app for help in urgent situations. 📲