Dogs
In dogs, spleen complications 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
Various signs that affect the health of a dog are as mentioned below.
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 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.
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
Canine spleen problems are usually diagnosed by following ways.
Timely treatment is essential in order to save the dog from spleen diseases. Various treatments are as follows.
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- Internal Bleeding In Dogs
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- Enlarged Spleen In Dogs
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- Globulin Levels In Dogs
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Dogs
Spleen Problems in Dogs
In dogs, spleen complications 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
Various signs that affect the health of a dog are as 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 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 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.
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
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.
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 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.
- Hemolytic Anemia In Dogs
Hemolytic anemia is a serious dog illness that can affect canines of any breed at any age. The severity of it can vary from being mild, requiring only timely medication to being life-threatening, requiring complete and undivided attention from the...
- Internal Bleeding In Dogs
Internal bleeding, also called hemoperitoneum which translates to 'blood in abdomen' is a life-threatening condition in dogs. It is often a result of traumatic injury or a blood clotting disorder. In the absence of strong and peculiar internal...
- Enlarged Spleen In Dogs
The spleen is an important organ that filters the red blood cells and holds a reserve of white blood cells. It plays an important role in the immune system. The spleen is also responsible for producing and storing red blood cells. An enlarged spleen...
- Globulin Levels In Dogs
Globulin is a type of blood plasma protein, and it is a crucial element of the immune system of both humans as well as dogs. Globulin is one of the three types of blood plasma protein, the other two being albumen and fibrinogen. Around 38% of the...
- Canine Anemia
Anemia can be defined as a lack or deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which is the hemoprotein responsible for binding with oxygen, and then transporting it to every cell of the body. Like humans, a dog can also have anemia. In humans,...