Tag Archives: splenectomy

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

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,