Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Imaging signs of spontaneous emphysematous splenitis in Golden
By Battiato, Pierantonio et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2021·Diagnostic Imaging Department, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Spontaneous emphysematous splenitis: Radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in three Golden Retriever dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three Golden Retriever dogs were brought in showing signs of lethargy, diarrhea, and weight loss. Imaging tests revealed gas-filled areas in their spleens, indicating a serious condition called spontaneous emphysematous splenitis. All three dogs had surgery to remove their spleens, but unfortunately, one dog passed away three days later. The other two dogs recovered well after the surgery. Tests showed that the splenic tissue contained Clostridium bacteria, which contributed to their condition.
People also search for: Golden Retriever lethargy diarrhea weight loss · dog splenitis treatment · Clostridium infection in dogs
Abstract
Spontaneous emphysematous splenitis is a life-threatening condition reported rarely in humans; however, published reports in dogs are currently lacking. The aim of this multicentric, retrospective, case series design study was to describe radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging findings in Golden Retriever dogs diagnosed with spontaneous emphysematous splenitis. A total of three dogs were sampled. All dogs had a history of lethargy, diarrhea, and weight loss. Radiographic findings in all dogs included a mass effect with focal or multifocal coalescing "vesicular-like" gas pattern in the splenic region and focal loss of serosal detail. Ultrasonographic findings in all dogs included focal or multifocal irregularly shaped, hypoechoic areas containing a mixture of hyperechoic fluid and gas within the splenic parenchyma, hyperechoic abdominal free fluid, and generalized hyperechoic mesenteric fat without evidence of splenic torsion. Pneumoperitoneum was detected ultrasonographically and radiographically in two dogs. All three dogs underwent splenectomy and splenic torsion was definitively ruled out at surgery. One dog died three days after surgery, whereas the other two dogs recovered uneventfully. Culture of the splenic tissue and free abdominal fluid was positive for Clostridium spp. in all three cases. Findings supported inclusion of spontaneous emphysematous splenitis and septic peritonitis as differential diagnoses for dogs with this combination of clinical and imaging characteristics.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33325583/