Guest andrealynch Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Hello All! Today out of nowhere, Bacardi started making gagging noises and when I took him outside, started eating grass like a crazy man!! He kept swallowing over and over again, and never did vomit. I called my vet and she told me to take him to the nearest clinic (since I am out at my parent's house). Once at the clinic, they took xrays to rule out bloat, and found tons of gas in his intestines, and an enlarged spleen. The doctor said it should be 1/3 the size that it is. Following this, they put him on Metacam, along with two other drugs to help with intestinal upset. They said to just watch him and see what happens tonight and tomorrow. However, upon doing research, I was nervous to see that many times an enlarged spleen is due to cancer--so, I thought I would write here and see if anyone knows about this condition, or can offer some advice? I will certainly be on the phone tomorrow with my usual vet to see what she thinks. Thanks in advance for all the advice! Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trudy Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Ryan has an enlarged spleen - his is just bigger than it should be and has been for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patclara Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Bugs had an enlarged spleen. She looked bloated, so off to the Dr. Her regular Dr rec a specialist. I never saw any symptoms but swelling. It was decided to remove her spleen ASAP. The specialist Dr was afraid that she might bleed out. I was petrified.There were risks. They operated on her, she stayed at the Hospital for a few days. We picked her up and she had tons of staples, which she NEVER bothered. I kept her quiet for as I remember, a few weeks and she went back to the Dr and had all the staples removed. She lived another 18 months , excellent quality of life and died of multiple tumors in her abdomen. I doubt if this condition had anything to do with her bloated spleen, but still and all, those extra months were worth every worry, and doubt I had. I hope all turns out fine for Bacardi. Keep us up to date. Special hugs to Mr B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreysAndMoreGreys Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but with TBD can't the spleen be enlarged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2NOFLEAS Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but with TBD can't the spleen be enlarged? this is hard to write for me........... Lambie Pie...... passed away dec 04 from Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever. She didn't have a fever until the last day. First sign...... a tiny bit of vomit and slight poops, next - belly swelling - xray showed enlarged spleen, next bruising (indication - internal bleeding), next throwing up blood, next organ failure....... transfusions didn't help....... and we said good bye. 10 vets in 2 states refused to test and treat her for a tick disease. There was one - the first person to see her - she was a vet in teaching and the first thing she wanted to do was test and treat for TBD..... she was over ruled. I didn't know anything about TBD - so I just trusted........ as I tried to learn more..... but it was too late. They did a biopsy on her spleen - there was so little cel structure left they couldn't get a good reading but they said it "resembles" cancer. TBD can "resemble" cancer. http://www.freewebs.com/3nofleas/ticktbdinformation.htm http://www.freewebs.com/3nofleas/lambiessmilefund.htm This is the first site I came across when I started to search........ and I cried....... http://www.geocities.com/bo_freddy/tick_fever.htm An enlarged spleen could be many things - TBD can have so many very very subtile symtoms........ it's always something that should be asked, questioned and tested for (not just the simple tests either). Hugs and paws in prayer for you and Barcardi. Quote Tina dogmom to Rocket and Angels Cofax (my girl) 5/9/01-7/1/10(OS), ReRun (my boy)(4/18/95-4/19/07 Heart tumor)) Dedicating my life as much as I could - to keeping the smile alive of my Lambie Pie - lost 12/04 to Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever.... & then there's the hubby - Bob .... http://www.freewebs.com/3nofleas/ . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but with TBD can't the spleen be enlarged? T already addressed this but I'de like to second it Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Test for TBD's &/or ultrasound to look for tumors. Are these vets Greyhound savvy? Someone correct me too if I am wrong but don't Greys have much larger spleens than most breeds? Seem to remember hearing Dr. Couto mentioning this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 (edited) My beloved Goldie (Golden Earing) crossed over at 11 years due to an enlarged spleen first documented around a year earlier. The board certified vet did many tests but could not give me a definitive diagnosis or positive treatment plan. He said I could have the spleen removed but that under the circumstances with what he did know he would NOT recommend it. My precious boy essentially wasted away. It was very sad but he luckily always had a good appetite and would at least eat well. I too raised the question of TBD because his balance was also very bad. However it was dismissed out of hand by the vet and that was one of the few tests he DIDN'T run. I wish vets wern't so arrogant and didn't get mad at you for suggusting things. I'm not stupid, I am a chemist and I know about lab tests. I have since become rather more demanding when dealing with vets. My beloved houndies depend on me to speak for them and I take that very seriously. Personally I think it must have been some kind of cancer even though it was not definitively diagnosed as such. The Goldster is a very special part of my heart. I owe him more than I could say or anybody else (but him) knows. Edited August 14, 2009 by racindog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gryhnd_adoptee Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I believe Valley Fever can also cause an enlarged spleen. Where are you located? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest andrealynch Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I believe Valley Fever can also cause an enlarged spleen. Where are you located? We are in St. Louis, MO: I have never heard of Valley Fever before, but I do know a girl who was in the hospital this summer with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever! I assume she picked up the tick here, but she does travel to horse shows throughout the nation, so I guess she could have gotten it somewhere else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2NOFLEAS Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I believe Valley Fever can also cause an enlarged spleen. Where are you located? We are in St. Louis, MO: I have never heard of Valley Fever before, but I do know a girl who was in the hospital this summer with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever! I assume she picked up the tick here, but she does travel to horse shows throughout the nation, so I guess she could have gotten it somewhere else? RMSF - Lambie got it in New Hampshire in Dec. Tick diseases are spreading. People, animals, and things travel - we become "buses" for all kinds diseases - not just TBD. Time is extremely important in any TBD. Quote Tina dogmom to Rocket and Angels Cofax (my girl) 5/9/01-7/1/10(OS), ReRun (my boy)(4/18/95-4/19/07 Heart tumor)) Dedicating my life as much as I could - to keeping the smile alive of my Lambie Pie - lost 12/04 to Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever.... & then there's the hubby - Bob .... http://www.freewebs.com/3nofleas/ . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Here in the desert, I have never heard a vet ever mention testing for TBD's, Valley Fever yes, but that's not TB. We may not have a tick problem here in the desert, but the dogs don't come "from" the desert. This is one of the many reasons I think the Lambie Smile Fund is so so important. Awareness and education saves lives Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mandm Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 I've had 2 greyhounds with TBD. Both had GI problems. I lost the 1st one to TBD -- she had an enlarged spleen. We caught the second greyhound's TBD early and fixed it. So we never checked spleen size on that one, but I assume it was enlarged. I posted a brief description of the 2nd greyhound's TBD & GI problems here: http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showtopic=236723 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gryhnd_adoptee Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Valley Fever is predominately in the south western states. It is a fungus which lives in the dry soils, which when are blown around become airborn, and inhaled. Once in the body is transforms and can cause a whole list of health problems. It is not limited to animals, as humans can suffer from it also. It was believed that our in-laws Yorkie had it as they lived in AZ in the winter months, and then Ohio in the summer months. He had several health issues once they started to snowbird to AZ. Their vet in Ohio never heard of it, but their vets in AZ considered it right from the start. . I believe Valley Fever can also cause an enlarged spleen. Where are you located? We are in St. Louis, MO: I have never heard of Valley Fever before, but I do know a girl who was in the hospital this summer with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever! I assume she picked up the tick here, but she does travel to horse shows throughout the nation, so I guess she could have gotten it somewhere else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytlady Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I had a young girl that was just hard to put weight on. Finally made the appointment to have her spayed and the vet said her spleen was so enlarged they couldn't get to her uterus. They sewed her back up, we tested for TBD and she was positive. Treated with imazole. Sent her back to get spayed in 6 weeks and her spleen was normal size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 It's also possible he has an infection or too much bacteria present in his intestines. This has happened to Dallas 2x this year and her spleen was enlarged and an odd shape. It has gone back to almost normal size now. I'd finish the meds and see how he does and get it checked again. Dallas presented much the same way as your boy, and to the extent we thought she had a blockage. She had a BUNCH of gas, so much so it pushed her intestines all over the place. She was diagnosed with something called ileus. Now we just are very careful what we feed her and she's on probitics as well as a good dose of yogurt almost daily. I also changed her food. So far so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest spider9174 Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 one of the purposes of the spleen is to filter the blood. enlargement of the spleen can be due to an infection (ie TBD), cancer, or some sort of trauma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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