Banjo is a huge, happy, crossbreed dog. He arrived at Bristol Vet Specialists earlier this year with an uncommon problem. For a few days, Banjo had been lethargic and he had lost his appetite. He also appeared uncomfortable on abdominal palpation. Initial investigations and imaging by his own vet had led to a suspicion of splenic torsion.
The spleen has various roles, including acting as a reserve store of red blood cells and forming part of the immune system. It is a really mobile organ and its only attachment to other structures in a dog’s abdomen is via the bundle of blood vessels which supply it. Very occasionally, and we do not fully understand why, the spleen can rotate around this “stalk” and this twisting action results in obstruction of those blood vessels. The splenic veins collapse before the splenic artery, because they are at a lower pressure, so blood can still reach the spleen from the splenic artery but cannot drain away. The spleen becomes progressively congested with blood, and, with time, the tissue dies. Treatment must involve surgical removal of the spleen. Happily, dogs tolerate life without a spleen really well.
No wonder Banjo was uncomfortable. Our imaging specialists confirmed the referring vet’s diagnosis, and he was quickly prepared for surgery. During his operation, his greatly congested spleen was separated from the blood supply and removed. It weighed 6 kilos! One really important surgical point is to avoid the temptation to try to untwist the spleen. Because the spleen has been starved of oxygen and nutrients, the tissue dies off and so the twisted spleen contains many toxic compounds. Untwisting the spleen would release this “soup” of toxins into the circulation. Much better to seal the blood vessels and remove the spleen whilst still in its twisted state.
Banjo is an otherwise healthy dog, and he rallied swiftly and was soon able to return home. He was already something of a celebrity in his neighbourhood; and is all the more so now after his brush with a rare surgical emergency.
