Esplenectomia em cães: estudo retrospectivo de 55 casos no período de 2021 a 2024

Abstract

Splenomegaly is a common disorder that affects the spleen of domestic carnivores, defined as the generalized enlargement of this organ, being associated with factors such as neoplasia, trauma, and congestive conditions. These splenic conditions can be treated, and the most usual way is the splenectomy, which consists of the surgical removal of the organ, completely or partially. Therefore, this study aims to assess the rate of animals that underwent splenectomy, through a retrospective study of dogs submitted to this procedure at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia (HV-UFU), from January 2021 to June 2024. Through the medical records, data regarding, breed, sex, age and case distribution were reviewed and submitted to descriptive and percentage analysis. Contingency tests, Chi-square tests, and ANOVA were performed, with significance set at p < 0.05. The high incidence of mixed-breed dogs (65,45% of the animals) made it difficult to associate the diseases with specific breeds present in the study. Neoplasms, particularly in neutered animals, were the most significant findings, observed in 54.5% of the subjects, with hemangiosarcomas accounting for 53.3% of the cases. There appears to be a probable association between hormonal influences and the development of certain neoplasms, particularly hemangiosarcomas, as indicated by the high rate of neutered animals exhibiting this issue. The conclusion of this study highlights the high incidence of splenic hemangiosarcoma in dogs, with a predominance of mixed-breed dogs, reflecting the country’s sociocultural context. Although age did not show statistical significance, it aligns with previous findings linking the neoplasm to older dogs. The high prevalence of spaying and neutering among the affected animals raises questions about hormonal influences, particularly in females. The results emphasize the need for further research into the genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors involved, as well as the importance of clinical monitoring for older and spayed/neutered dogs.