Splenic Lymphoma

Splenic lymphoma is a form of cancer affecting the white blood cells within the spleen, the organ that filters blood and plays a role in immune function. The spleen becomes infiltrated with abnormal lymphocytes—cells that would normally help fight infection—and this can lead to enlargement, changes in blood counts, or disruption of the organ's normal work. Many dogs with splenic lymphoma show no outward signs at first, and the condition may be noticed during imaging or blood tests carried out for another reason. When signs do appear, they often include a quieter demeanour, reduced appetite, weight loss, or a sense that something has shifted in energy or routine. In some cases, the spleen becomes large enough to be felt during examination, or complications such as rupture or low platelet counts bring the condition to attention. This page explores the patterns that may signal splenic lymphoma, the mechanisms underlying the disease, the investigations used to characterise it, and the range of approaches that exist once a picture has formed.