Is hemangiosarcoma a serious condition in my dog?
The severity of hemangiosarcoma depends on where it is found. This type of tumor can originate in several areas with the most common sites being the spleen, heart, skin and liver. Only tumors found on the surface of the skin are considered to be curable and less serious than other areas. If the tumor is found early, complete surgical removal can cure your pet. If left to grow, cutaneous hemangiosarcoma can spread to other areas. This version of hemangiosarcoma is related to sun exposure and therefore is often seen in sparsely haired areas (such as abdomen) or in breeds with white hair. Certain breeds with white short fur, such as Dalmations or Pit Bull Terriers, are more prone to developing cutaneous hemangiosarcoma.
Hemangiosarcoma found in other locations such as the spleen and heart, is always considered a very serious disease. The reason is, this tumor spreads early and quickly so disease may be widespread before you notice any signs in your pet. This form of hemangiosarcoma is termed “visceral” hemangiosarcoma.
What signs will my pet show?
When signs do occur, they are usually from severe internal bleeding. At this time your dog will become ill very suddenly and may show the following signs:
pale or white gums
profound weakness
rapid heart rate
rapid breathing rate
collapse
These are all signs of circulatory shock which occurs when the body loses a significant amount of blood quickly.
What should I do if I think my dog is showing the signs mentioned above?
Again, these signs may be associated with any form of shock or lack of good blood flow and are always serious. You should seek veterinary care immediately either at your local veterinary clinic or an emergency clinic if after hours. You should expect your pet to be examined without delay on arrival and stabilized with treatments including an intravenous catheter, intravenous fluids, and occasionally pain medication. Your veterinarian will talk to you about tests that will need to be done right away to determine the cause of your dog’s signs. These tests may include:
a blood test called a pcv or hematocrit to look at the percent of red blood cells
Xrays to look for signs of abnormalities in the abdomen and chest
an ultrasound to look for signs of free fluid or bleeding within the abdomen
an EKG or electrocardiogram to look for abnormal heart rhythms that can develop from either blood loss or spread of hemangiosarcoma to the heart
What treatments can be done if hemangiosarcoma is diagnosed?
If hemangiosarcoma is found in the spleen (most common location) or other abdominal organs in your dog, emergency surgery will generally be recommended to remove the spleen and stop the bleeding. Depending on how much blood loss has occured, a blood transfusion from another dog or a blood bank may be needed prior to surgery. Biopsy of the organ (submission of the tissue to a laboratory) will be necessary to accurately diagnose the tumor.
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Your veterinarian will recommend evaluating your dog’s heart for signs of hemangiosarcoma as well. Reports have cited that up to 25% of dogs with abdominal hemangiosarcoma may have involvement within the heart. This is important to know prior to pursuing surgery as this will affect the long term plan and may be a factor for your pet under anesthesia.
Because this tumor is so aggressive, treatment is extensive. For owners that want to pursue all options, surgery is followed by chemotherapy. Even with this extent of care, it is not anticipated that the hemangiosarcoma will be cured but the return of the tumor may be delayed. Because the long-term prognosis for hemangiosarcoma is poor, many owners elect euthanasia for their pets rather than pursue treatment.
What can I do to prevent hemangiosarcoma?
Other than avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun for the skin form of hemangiosarcoma, there is no way to prevent the development of visceral hemangiosarcoma. The goal is to diagnose the condition as early as possible in hopes that surgery can be attempted before the tumors grow large enough to spread or rupture. Your veterinarian can discuss with you ways to look for visceral forms of hemangiosarcoma which may include Xrays or ultrasound. These tests may be recommended in certain breeds as they reach middle age even if your pet is not showing any clinical signs.
Are there certain breeds that are more likely to be affected by hemangiosarcoma?
In general, hemangiosarcoma is a condition of larger breed dogs that are middle age to older (6-12 years of age). The most commonly reported breeds associated with visceral hemangiosarcoma are german shepherd dogs, golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, and doberman pinschers. There is no confirmed hereditary component of the condition.
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