20/06/2025
SPLENECTOMY!!
This is the lovely Layla! :)
Layla has been through quite an ordeal recently and we would like to tell you her story.
She presented to us in a very bad condition a few weeks ago. She had become increasingly lethargic over the past 24-48hrs to the point of collapsing and she had a very swollen looking abdomen.
After one of our veterinary surgeons examined Layla, they were concerned that she may be bleeding internally and it was advised that an ultrasound scan should be performed to ascertain the cause of her symptoms.
From the ultrasound scan, our vet Sam could see immediately that there was a large amount of free fluid within her abdomen. A procedure called Abdominocentesis was performed, which is when a needle is used to take a sample of this free fluid, allowing us to determine what kind of fluid this is. It was confirmed that it was fresh blood, indicating that Layla was bleeding internally from somewhere.
Surgery was discussed with Layla’s owners and they decided to go ahead with the operation to determine the cause of this bleeding and ascertain if there was anything that could be done to save her.
During the surgery, two masses were found on her spleen which had ruptured causing a large amount of internal bleeding. The good news was that there did not appear to be any other masses anywhere else within Layla’s abdomen. This meant that a splenectomy could be performed, which is when the spleen is surgically removed – therefore preventing any further bleeding.
Dogs can live a happy, healthy life without their spleen, following a splenectomy. Depending on how much blood has been lost, they do sometimes require a blood transfusion. Layla was very lucky that she managed to regenerate her Red Blood Cells fairly quickly, and she did not require a transfusion.
The spleen's job is to filter the blood and to help fight infections, therefore patients can be at a slightly higher risk of infection post-splenectomy. Other organs within the body often take over these jobs. It is recommended that patients do get regular check-ups and monitoring in the future.
The main symptoms to look out for in patients who have had internal bleeding:
• Lethargy, weakness, collapse
• Reduced appetite/inappetance
• Increased respiratory rate
• Pale gums
• Fast heart rate
• Abdominal swelling/bloating
• Cold extremities (eg. Limbs)
If you are ever concerned that your pet is showing any of these signs, it is crucial to seek immediate veterinary attention, as this condition can be life-threatening.