splenectomy mice - (Feb/12/2010 )

Hi guys! I have a major problem. I've lost more than 20 mice after splenectomy.

They usually die 48 hours post splenectomy. They appear no abdominal hemorrhage , but i observed exsesive hemorrhage in the thorax (chest cavity). It seems that blood no longer circulates, and their organs are shutting down one by one.

What am i doing wrong?!!!!

Any idea is really usefull. Dead end for me!

nikoletta on Feb 12 2010, 10:32 AM said:

Hmmm... a few things to double check:

How are you sterilizing your equipment between surgeries?
What's your anesthesia protocol?
Do you keep the mice in a cage placed over a heating pad for a day or two post-surgery?

Fungus_Dreams on Feb 14 2010, 11:37 PM said:

Thanks for the reply. Ive checked everything. There is no infection, i send sentiments for analysis. I use tribromoethanol, i make myself stock and work solution and i m more causious than anyone could imagine. Additionaly, it doesnt explain the hemorrage in the chest cavity.

I think that probably im doing sth wrong during the procedure. I dont know what else to check...

nikoletta on Feb 16 2010, 02:11 AM said:

Hmmm well it's hard to say what else could be going wrong without being there to see it.

Try contacting your facility Veterinarian or Animal Care Department and explain what is happening. Something could be slightly wrong with your surgical technique. It would be great if you and the vet could schedule a time for him/her to watch you do a surgery and give pointers. That's what we do at our institution when surgeries go badly like this. Usually an hour or two working along side a veterinarian will set things right... trust me, us animal care types want the best for you and your research