Tag Archives: splenectomy

The Spleen: Do Dogs and Cats Really Need One?

Anatomy of a cat
Through the centuries, medical practitioners have ascribed many functions to the spleen. In the Middle Ages, physicians thought the spleen produced black bile, the cause of melancholy. In later years, doctors believed the spleen served as a filter for the liver. Today, we know the spleen is an organ of the immune system. Removal of

Splenectomy in Dogs: What You Need to Know

A dog with its tongue out
A Facebook post on the Animal Medical Center’s wall congratulating Dutch for being the first dog to complete a clinical trial protocol for hemangiosarcoma at AMC generated this question: “Since Dutch had his spleen removed, does he need special vaccinations going forward?” Below is my rather long answer. The Spleen The spleen is a soft,