Frankie's Happy Tales
Meet Frankie, a 10-year-old neutered French Bulldog with a big personality and a family who loves him dearly.
When Something Wasn’t Quite Right
Frankie came to see us because he wasn’t feeling like himself. During his full physical exam, we found that his upper abdomen was distended (bloated) and painful. On gentle palpation, we could feel a distinct mass in the area of his spleen.
We performed X-rays (see attached image), which confirmed the presence of a mass on or near the spleen.
We had a thorough discussion with Frankie’s family about what this could mean. We explained:
- The mass could be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
- Splenic masses can rupture without warning, causing life-threatening internal bleeding.
- If cancerous, there is a risk of spread — even after removal.
- Surgery (exploratory with possible splenectomy) would remove the immediate risk of rupture and could significantly improve Frankie’s comfort and quality of life.
After discussing the risks, benefits, and possible outcomes, Frankie went home with pain medication so his family could carefully consider their options.
After thoughtful consideration, they chose to move forward with surgery to give him the best possible chance. ❤️
Preparing for surgery
Before anesthesia, we performed full pre-anesthetic bloodwork. This step is especially important in splenic cases because:
- The spleen plays a major role in blood storage and clotting.
- Surgery carries a higher risk of bleeding.
- We need to ensure the body can safely tolerate anesthesia and recovery.
Frankie's bloodwork results
- Platelets: Normal
Platelets help blood clot. Frankie’s platelet count was strong, meaning his body could clot appropriately during surgery. - Moderate Regenerative Anemia
Frankie’s red blood cell count was lower than normal, but his body was actively producing new red blood cells. - Low Blood Proteins (Albumin and Globulins)
Frankie’s bloodwork showed that some of his blood proteins were lower than normal. These proteins help maintain blood pressure, fluid balance, and support the immune system. Low levels can increase the risk of low blood pressure under anesthesia and are commonly seen with blood loss or inflammation — both of which can occur with splenic masses.
Although these findings slightly increased anesthetic risk, they allowed us to tailor Frankie’s anesthetic and monitoring plan to keep him as safe as possible.
SURGERY DAY !!!
Frankie underwent exploratory surgery, and his spleen was successfully removed
During surgery, we found that his spleen was approximately three times the normal size, irregularly shaped, and had areas of necrosis (dead tissue). This confirmed that the spleen was severely diseased and at high risk for rupture and internal bleeding.
Removing it eliminated that immediate danger.
After surgery, we closely monitored:
PCV (Packed Cell Volume)
Measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood.
Normal in dogs: 35–55%.
TP (Total Protein)
Measures the amount of protein circulating in the blood.
Normal in dogs: 5.5–7.5 g/dL.
These values help us assess blood loss, hydration status, and recovery from anemia.
Immediately Post-Op his values were:
- PCV: 18% (low but expected after surgery and blood loss)
- TP: 5.6 (low-normal)
He remained stable and was carefully monitored
Frankie's Recovery Journey
Frankie recovered well after surgery and was able to continue his recovery at home, comfortable and under careful observation. Close monitoring over the following days and weeks helped ensure he stayed healthy and happy.