What is a canine splenectomy?
A Canine Splenectomy refers to a surgical procedure in which a spleen is removed from a dog. There are two main reasons why a canine has to get a splenectomy: a tumor, or a ruptured spleen which is usually a result of getting hit very hard in the lower stomach. In cases where a spleen has to be removed because of impact, it is essential that the surgery be performed as soon as possible, as a couple minutes could be the difference between life and death.
What does a dog’s spleen do?
A dog’s spleen acts as a storage unit for your dog’s blood. The spleen has various functions such as creating red blood cells, destroying old or toxic cells, and fighting immune diseases.
How do you know if your dog needs a splenectomy?
If your dog has a tumor in it’s spleen, it will become very painful as it grows over time. Your dog might experience lethargy, loss in appetite, and in extreme cases will not be able to walk once the tumor grows to a certain size. If you suspect that your dog has a tumor in its spleen, your vet will run blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. The worst kind of spleen tumor is hemangiosarcoma, which has a very high fatality rate if the spleen isn’t removed immediately.
If your dog experiences a brutal impact, such as getting hit by a car, there is a chance your dog has a ruptured spleen. This is very dangerous because it causes blood to leak into the stomach and other vital organs. Your vet will most likely undergo an emergency splenectomy immediately if the spleen has been ruptured.
In both cases, the spleen is completely removed from the body. If your dog had a tumor, your vet will likely take blood samples from other parts of the body to see if the tumor was cancerous and if it spread.
How Much Does a Canine Splenectomy Cost
A canine splenectomy usually costs around $1,000. However, if your dog had a tumor, it could cost around $1,500 because the vet will have to perform blood tests in the future to see if cancer spread to other parts of the body. If your dog had their ruptured spleen removed, they will still be able to live a happy and healthy life after the surgery.
