What is a common clinical sign of a dog with a splenic tumor?

Abdominal distension is a common clinical sign associated with splenic tumors in dogs. This symptom arises because the spleen can become enlarged due to the presence of a tumor, which may lead to an accumulation of fluid or blood in the abdominal cavity (hemoperitoneum). As the spleen engorges, it can push on surrounding organs, resulting in visible swelling in the abdomen and discomfort for the dog.

Moreover, splenic tumors can often lead to complications such as rupturing of the tumor, which further contributes to abdominal distension from internal bleeding. This can be an acute presentation requiring immediate veterinary attention. While other clinical signs like coughing, weight loss, and lethargy are possible in cases of splenic tumors, they are not as directly linked to the physical changes in the abdomen as distension is, making abdominal distension a hallmark sign in these cases.