Use of splenectomy in the management of lymphoma in dogs: 16 cases (1976-1985).

Sixteen dogs with lymphoma underwent splenectomy to relieve signs of massive splenomegaly including splenic rupture. The most common preoperative hematologic abnormalities, anemia and thrombocytopenia, were reversed in all dogs surviving the initial postoperative period. Within 6 weeks after surgery, 5 dogs died because of disseminated intravascular coagulation and sepsis. The remaining 11 dogs underwent chemotherapy. These 11 dogs had a complete response rate of 66% at one month after surgery; the mean and median survival times were 9.3 and 5 months, respectively. In 7 dogs evaluated until death, the mean and median survival times were 13.4 months and 14 months, respectively.