Blood tests and x-rays showed that Martha had an abnormally large liver and spleen. Dr. Krotje conducted an immediate ultrasound examination which showed that Martha’s spleen was so large that it was compressing her other organs and her liver contained abnormal nodules- Martha needed surgery. 

Doctors Henrich and Hewitt performed exploratory surgery the next morning and removed Martha’s enormous 5 pound spleen (about 8 times normal size) and took biopsy samples of her liver.  Martha recovered quickly after surgery and returned to her normal self in only a few days. Fortunately, all of Martha’s biopsy samples showed benign changes and no indication of cancer.

Martha returned to see Dr. Hewitt in March of 2007 for her routine check up and has made a complete recovery and is in excellent health.  Thanks to teamwork and dedicated owners, Martha is a healthy 11 year old Sheepdog and will have many happy days ahead.