Senior dog has an enlarged spleen and weight loss. Could it be cancer?

Question

My dog is a 12 year old lab/border collie mix and she is my baby...she is spry and happy and loves to go everywhere with me. At her vet appt for vaccinations this week, they noticed she lost weight, 75lbs to 63.7. They decided to do an X-ray and now she is going in for surgery next week. They’re not sure if she just has an enlarged spleen or if it’s cancer that is spread to her liver. I’m praying a splenectomy will help her but I need to prepare myself Incase they find cancer...Any thoughts? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | 63.7 lbs

Ana M, DVM · Accepted Answer

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Betty Lou. A lot of dogs develop splenic masses and many of them are not cancerous. There is no way to know by looking at the spleen. It needs be removed and submitted to the laboratory for a pathologist to evaluate microscopically. The same holds true for the liver. Just because a lesion is seen on the liver in surgery does not mean cancer has spread from the spleen. It is best in this case to remove the spleen and biopsy any abnormality in the liver. You may consider having an abdominal ultrasound performed prior to surgery by a board certified radiologist. This will allow a full evaluation of the abdomen and give you a better idea of what to expect in surgery. I hope this information helps. Good luck to you and Betty Lou!

Senior dog has an enlarged spleen and weight loss. Could it be cancer?

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