We had to take our GSD to the vet while in Auckland a couple of weeks ago, due to a gastro upset. Upon examining him she thought his spleen was possibly enlarged, and knowing Shepherds are prone to Spleen Cancer, she told us to wait a couple of weeks and get him re examined which we did the other day in Whitianga.
The vet here also agreed it felt 'puffy' and blood tests were taken. They came back clear but the vet phoned the lab back and asked them to put the red cells on a microscope, which they did, but result came back with an irregularity.
Yesterday drove to Papakura for a scan, which thankfully nothing was found, but he wants us to go back for another scan in 6 weeks, to be sure.
He said if nothing is there, to leave alone, but if something is found, the spleen will need to come out.
Just wondering if anyone has been through this?

Hi there. Keeping fingers and paws crossed for you and your GSD.
I do hope all turns out well for your baby.
Yes we have been through it with our late GSD. She passed away nearly three years ago aged 10.
All the very best and sending lots of hugs your way.

Sasha's Mum xx

Slightly different scenario for us Lou with little Shelby in May. She had her spleen removed due to a tear - but it was an emergency situation that started with a collapse one evening and resulted in the vet telling me, after a barrage of tests over two days, that I had to have her at the surgery within an hour! The fact that the scan was clear is good news because that was the determining test for us! But what was the irregularity??

I don't know, my husband took the initial call, but I will find out. Was going to post a pic of my boy with his shaved belly but can't remember how to attach a photo. Can someone enlighten me?

Lou1 after my experience with my Yani and then Hogan and knowing the suddeness it can happen to rupture and the life threatening situation it causes if any of my GSDs have an enlarged spleen on examination I am going to elect to have it removed. Splenectomy in a non urgent situation is under $1000,00, emergency splenectomy with blood transfusions pushes it up over $5K. I did not get any warning with Hogan, healthy one day, at deaths door the next.

To send a photo go to - Full reply screen, then click on File Manager, browse, add file, done adding file

Thanks Denise, I am sure that's what we will do, I don't care about the csot. Our last GSD died in our arms, with suspected spleen rupture, it happened so fast, and was incredibly distressful, as you can imagine.
He is booked in for another scan on 21 October.
I picked up a copy of the lab report yesterday which reads:
Heamatology Reports Comments:
There are occasional acanthocytes. These are often associated with microangopathies, heart murmer or neoplasia (especially hemangioarcoma), but can also be seen in normal animals.
Chemistry Report:
There are no changes here to point to a specific cause for the clinical signs. With this history could be primary gut disease, gastritis/enteritis, foreign body, intussuception, neoplasia, or possibly pancreatitis. May want to measure lipase as not all cases of pancreatitis will have elevated amylase? Imaging may also be helpful (readiogrphs/contrast studies/utltrasound.
So whatever all that means, I don't really know!
Anyway he has bounced back after being distressed from the sedation all night, and we are conviinced his initial vomitting was food related, and both vets weren't positive there was a definite swelling of the spleen.
Here is a photo of my precious boy the day after his procedure.

Also on the haematology report it states:
Film Comments:
Erythrocytes show: Anisocytosis 1+ Poikilocytosis 1+ Acanthocytes 1+
Keratocyle occasional
Leukocytes show: Occasional Reactive Lymphocyte (medium size, blue cytoplast, mature chromatin. No nucleoli seen)
Numbers and morphology of platelets appear normal.

Also, I notice on both sheets ALL Buck's readings are within the ref-range, so hopefully there is nothing wrong?

Lou1 Please keep us updated on Buck. I know you will be keeping a very watchful eye on him. 21st October seems a long way away for followup so vet obviously doesn't consider immediate problem, His photo reminds me of one I have of Yani recovering from her procedures.

Thanks Denise. I think it is just precautionary but if there is any sign of anything in the spleen, we will have it removed.

I am so glad Denise you are on the mend, as I am sure everyone else is too. I also have some good news. I had my scan last week and they found nothing, so it means maybe my enlarged spleen is just age related, and I feel fine now. Hopefully Mum and Dad will leave me alone, getting sick of all those extra cuddles and their worried looking faces! Take care!
Buck