PetMD Seal

Twisted Spleen in Dogs

PrintPrint

Treatment

 

Dogs with GDV should be considered a surgical emergency. After fluid therapy and medical treatment, a surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy) should be performed. At this time, the stomach will need to be surgically affixed, or it may flip again at a later date. A splenic sample should be submitted for histopathologic examination (laboratory study of abnormal tissue). Fluid support and cardiovascular monitoring will be provided after splenectomy.

 

Living and Management

 

Your veterinarian will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your dog's progress. Post-surgery infection is a serious issue of concern. You will need to monitor the surgical site for cleanliness. Follow your veterinarian's instructions for proper methods of cleaning a post-surgery wound. If you observe any redness, swelling, itching, or oozing at the site, you will need to contact your veterinarian. Because the spleen plays a role in the immune system, there is some concern that the absence of the spleen may place an animal at an increased risk of infection. You may wish to talk with your veterinarian about ways to strengthen your dog's immune system, or to protect it from injury and illness.

 

If your dog shows symptoms of GDV again, call your veterinarian immediately for advisement.

 

 

Related Articles

Heart Valve Malformation in Dogs
Dogs with malformed mitral or tricuspid valves are said to have atrioventricular...
READ MORE
Anemia Due to Iron Deficiency in Dogs
Anemia, Iron Deficiency in Dogs  
READ MORE
Bleeding Disorder in Dogs
Von Willebrand’s disease (vWD) is a blood disease caused by a deficiency of von Willebrand...
READ MORE
  • Lifetime Credits:
  • Today's Credits:
Hurry Before All Seats are Taken!
Enroll
Be an A++ Pet Parent! Take fun & free courses to earn badges & certifications. Choose a course»

symptom checker

Search dog Articles

 

Follow petMD


Keep your pets healthy and safe with the latest from petMD

Latest In Dog Nutrition

How Antioxidants Improve Our Pet's Health, ...
The science behind pet nutrition continues to make major advances. One such example...
READ MORE
How Your Overweight Pet Could Benefit from ...
Pet obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Fortunately, there are some things...
READ MORE
What Are Lean Proteins and How They Can Help ...
Protein is an important component in your pet's food, but not all proteins are the...
READ MORE
MORE FROM PETMD.COM