Symptoms are wanting, as most of the observed cases were only discovered after the animal had been killed for pork.
SPLENIC HYPERTROPHY IN THE DOG.
This condition has been less frequently seen in dogs, the recognizable causes having been traumatism (Notz), and leucocythæmia (Zahn, Forestier, La Forgue, Nocard). Lymphadenoma is another complication (Nocard, Leblanc, Siedamgrotzky, Bruckmüller). The spleen has been found to weigh 2 lbs., (Bollinger, Siedamgrotzky). As in other animals the enlargement of the Paccinian bodies has been a marked feature. In other cases the splenic lymph glands are enlarged.
The symptoms are obscure as in other animals. Yet the presence of white cell blood, with a predominance of eosinophile cells, enlargement of the abdomen, and the detection of a large solid body in the left hypochondrium which proves tender to the touch may prove more satisfactory than in other animals. In certain cases it has obstructed the biliary duct by pressure and entailed hepatic disorder and jaundice.
The treatment would not differ from that of the larger animals.
Siedamgrotzky has also observed splenic hypertrophy in the cat in connection with leucocythæmia.
SPLENITIS. PERISPLENITIS.
Causes: extension from adjacent inflammations, penetrating bodies, contusions, lacerations, infections, over exertion, cold, damp, over feeding. Symptoms: those of primary disease, visible traumas, chill, fever, swelling, flatness of percussion sound, absence of crepitation, anorexia, vomiting, constipation, diarrhœa. Prognosis usually good. Treatment: castor oil, enemata, cold douche, electricity, phlebotomy, in infective cases quinine, salol, salicylates, iodides.
No accurate border line can be drawn between splenic hyperæmia and hypertrophy on the one hand and inflammation of the spleen on the other. It is, however, not difficult to assign to inflammatory action all cases that tend to suppuration and abscess. Also in perisplenitis with adhesions to adjacent parts like the liver, stomach, intestine, kidney or abdominal wall inflammation cannot be doubted.
Causes. Extension from the disease of adjacent parts—perihepatitis, perinephritis, peritonitis, enteritis—is a distinctly appreciable cause, as are also penetration of the spleen by foreign bodies, contusions, lacerations and infections of the organ. Cruzel, who claims an extensive acquaintance with the disease in working oxen, attributes many cases to violent exertions, overdriving, cold and damp weather, and an overstimulating alimentation. As inflammation may supervene on hyperæmia and hypertrophy we must accept the various causes of these conditions as factors in producing inflammation.