The world needs more people like you Dr. Sue. My dog had this from the liver. Went through surgery..... and they sent me away with no advice other than lets do another ultra sound in 6 mo and see where we are at. 4 mo later we are in the same boat we were in. The veterinary world is in serious need of reconstruction. These are suppose to be "doctors."
This is a heartbreaking disease. I lost my beautiful Briard to it about 10 years ago and I still cry when I think about it. I miss her so. Spleenectony gave her a year, though that Vet did not diagnose her with it. Young Vet ‘I dont know what caused it’. Finally the lumps started all over her body, one on her leg swelling and breaking open. Another Vet diagnosed her. Nothing you can do. I lay beside her on the floor as the anesthetic took effect, she with her head on the floor gazing into my eyes, me crying, loving her. They know.
Sorry to hear that, I am going thru this now with mine and even though he feels like crap he is still trying to cheer me up . Dogs are the best , better than people .
Sorry to hear all these stories. Im going thru the same and is so heartbreaking. May I ask if you change her diet and what supplements you gave her to extend her life to 1 year? My vet says my dog may live 1-3 months after his splenectomy.
@@jessicacastillo505 I did not change her diet, but I really do not think that would have helped. You could try it, but by the time you discover it, it feels it is too late. Just enjoy the time you have. I am so very sorry. It is a truly heartbreaking disease and your animal is so stoic and going bravely through it. Just love them and spend lots of time with them.....that means so much to them. I had the spleen removed (at the time, that particular vet was mystified and had no idea what the problem was), but in retrospect, it only increased her life by a little. I am so sorry.
@@karieanne25 thank you for responding. Your story gives me hope that my dog might last a few more months than what the vet estimated. Ill enjoy as much as I can with him.
@@jessicacastillo505 Hey did any of you do actual treatment? Our oncologist said there is nothing that can be done because the bleeding has started. So I do not know if she should get euthanized or if she can live a bit longer :(
My sweet boxer Harley was put down yesterday afternoon due to this horrible disease. She would have been 9 years old this August. She never showed any symptoms, this was all very sudden. 2 days ago, in the late afternoon, she showed sudden signs of weakness and pale gums. We rushed her to the vet and they told us they believe her spleen ruptured which is something they would be able to fix with surgery the next morning. She went into surgery around 9:00am yesterday, then around 10:30am we received a horrible phone call. The tumors were cancer on her spleen and liver that ruptured and surgery was not going to save her; she was just going to bleed out. My heart is so broken, she was truly the best dog a person can ask for. Rest In Peace, Harley.
Thank you so much. I have searched everywhere for answers about how quickly this develops. Do you have any insight on at least roughly how quickly this cancer develops?
I am sitting at the vet waiting for the vets to come out of the OR. I am devastated after watching these videos. Yesterday I brought her in and she was diagnosed and today to the OR. Yesterday the vet tech told me they are hoping that it would be curative and not palliative. Today, after watching these I realize it is palliative
Just wanted to add that I have my dog on a doggy keto diet and she was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma in her spleen 2 years ago! She had no chemo whatsoever. Just a splenectomy. Which I'm glad we went for it because it had ruptured already so she was already bleeding internally. She had no metastasis at the time of diagnosis so maybe that has something to do with why she's still here. Her surgeon is in disbelief that she's still here. He gave her no more than 6 months to live after surgery. We are lucky but I really feel like her diet change saved her life. Dog food is soooo bad for dogs! They need high protein and fat and little to no carbs!
I was so interested in your post. My little Maltese girl had a massive liver tumour removed a week ago and is recovering well from surgery. However this week the results of the biopsy came back and it turns out she has hemangiosarcoma. My vet says chemo - either intravenous in the animal hospital, or tablets, could extend her prognosis to 18 months. But I am reluctant to put her through hospital treatment, as she has separation anxiety and obviously it would not be a cure. I was heartened to read your dog has had no chemo and is doing well. You are obviously looking after her beautifully - could you please share with me what you are feeding her? I read many cancer diets are raw meat and my dog wouldn't like that! Also - I hear good things about homeopathic remedies like Turkey Tail Mushroom supplements and a Chinese remedy called Yunnan Baiyao the vet here mentioned. Have you been using any supplements for your dog? Many thanks for any tips you can share and congrats on your much loved dog's continuing good health. God bless! XXX
What all do you feed your pup if u mind me asking , my dog just got diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma and it already ruptured , I don't wanna put her on cemo , just trying to find home remedies before doing surgery
I'm crying so hard I can barely see to type - just got my standard poodle's biopsy back from her splenectomy, last week - hemangiosarcoma. Thank you for posting this.
@@theresistance3818 Sorry to hear about the biopsy results. How is she doing these days? My lab/golden mix was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma about 10 days ago. She did fine for the first 8 days post surgery but she stopped eating and drinking. I'm trying to decide what to do, I don't want her to suffer.
@@towelman8589My heart is BLEEDING for you. I just lost my best friend in the entire WORLD on Saturday, morning. She was so strong and so brave and fought so hard the entire time - you wouldn't have even known that she was sick, until the last week, when she was unable to stand up...but even then, she was still completely coherent and had her full personality...I carried her EVERYWHERE...she wanted to go with me, wherever I went...and I waited, for her to tell me when it was time for her to go. The cancer spread to her lungs, early Saturday morning, they began to fill with fluid and she couldn't breathe...I gave her mouth to mouth for an hour to help supplement her oxygen supply...but her struggle to breathe just got worse and worse, she had a stroke but then came out of it and looked at me in my eyes in a way that she never had before...as if to say "I'm so sorry, MaMa...I can't fight anymore, please, help me, I'm so sorry." ...and that's when I told her "I am SO PROUD of you, sweetheart...It's okay, Baby...it's okay for you to go, now...I'm right here, don't worry, I won't leave you and I won't let your body continue to struggle." - We went to our family vet and I held her, as we freed her from her sick body. Now, I will wait, every day, until she returns to me, in a new healthy body. - This is a decision no one but you and your dog will able to make- and you must make it, together. I am sending you both LOTS of LOVE and my sweet Prima will be waiting for your fur baby - she will take WONDERFUL care of her for you
I lost TWO dogs to hemangiosarcoma, which I’d previously never heard of. In both cases it was quick and devastating. My 10 year old Dutch Shepherd had gone off her food. The vet treated the superficial symptoms. Then her spleen burst, so we had to put her down immediately. A few years later, our 13 year Lab, who embraced life to the fullest, went off her food. This time, the vet diagnosed it immediately. She said that with surgery and chemo, the dog could live a few more months. I said, let’s put the old girl out of her misery right now, I won’t put her through it. I’ve had many other dogs who all lived long lives. I haven’t used a fertilizer or herbicide in 40 years, they eat high quality food. I don’t understand it.
Very interesting. Well done DR Sue. We lost our beautiful 3 and a half year old Labrador Dora from this terrible cancer. We’d noticed that she was quiet, but we put it down to her being tired, then she seemed to rally, then we noticed she was walking slower. I always examined her for lumps and bumps. I’m deaf blind, so naturally, my fingers are more sensative. On my dad’s birthday, I tried to pick her up so we could dance to songs, and as my hand brushed her rib, I felt this lump. Mum, nor dad nor my hubby couldn’t feel it, so they had to pull her skin back. I knew then something was up. 2 days later, we got her to the Vettes, though they only had X-ray equipment, so we had to be referred to a specialist hospital. The vet knew she was a poorly dog. Her temperature was up and Dora was very quiet. She had a biopsy and a scan at the specialist hospital, and it was cancer. We were devastated. 3 and a half years old! Somehow it would have been that bit easier if she was 12-13, but 3 was so unfair! We had already booked a holiday away, so mum and me had to go on it with my 2 year old daughter as she was then. Dad took time off work to be with Dora, because I said to him that how would you feel in her position? On your own and dying? So he took time off. The vet advised to give Dora chikin since red meet can exacerbate cancer cells. The vet actually gave her a month. I couldnt enjoy the holiday naturally. When we came off holiday, Dora was very swollen, and quiet, and 2 days later, she started crying and panting. The cancer had spread to her lungs and kidneys. She was seeing a lot. We took her to the emergency vet, and she examined Dora. She was in a lot of pain, even though we had been giving her painkillers.She suggested chemo and more pain killers, but I knew that Dora wanted to go. She was licking the vet on her face, and licking the receptionists, and licking mum, me and dad. She was saying a final fairwell. Everybody was crying. I wanted to give Dora dignity, and thats what she got. We have a new dog now, Rubi, who is a lab. We missed Dora so much, part of the family, and we loved her companionship. Thanks for your info about this terrible cancer. Hope your Labradors are keeping well.
Oh Sophia, I teared up reading about you and Dora.Dora was so lucky to have you and your family. Cancer sucks at any age, but I agree, it it more bitter when they are younger. I am so sorry for your loss. I know the huge hole in our hearts they leave. Thanks for watching and commenting. And give Rubi a big kiss for me. (PS I am working on new videos on hemangiosarcoma - a tough tough cancer.)
My 11.5 year old Italian Greyhound had her first needed dental with a removal of what looked like a blood blister on her thigh.. Earlier today I got the call...hemangiosarcoma... my heart is crushed, she's all I have I'm not ready for this.
Great video. I have a healthy 14 y/o male pure golden retriever. 7 years ago I switched from feeding a cheap dry-bag food to a home made diet using grocery store ingredients (Dr. Karen Becker's recipe, but there are many other excellent recipes like Dr. Dressler's). After switching to a homemade diet, I noticed that common golden health problems like hot spots and goopy ears became far less common. I suspect my elderly dogs good health is strongly correlated with his high quality diet and active lifestyle (less active now of course) . I have often wondered how strongly diet correlates with hemangiosarcoma in Golden Retrievers. His primary health issues these past few years are arthritis, hearing loss, and poor eyesight, but considering his advanced age, they are not especially bad. I hope that he has at least one more year of relatively good health.
Donald Lee I’m not aware of any studies looking at diet and hemangiosarcoma but I think a good diet has many benefits 💙 so glad your dog is doing well and you like the video. I’d be super appreciative if you would subscribe to my channel. Thanks!!😊
Great! Glad it helped!! Hang in there. Also I am going to be working on some new HSA videos on the next few weeks, so please subscribe! And I will be doing another Q&A in Sept on FB too on HSA.
Very helpful Q&A, thank you! My 13 years 3 months Maltese terrier (weight 2.5 kg) had a huge tumour removed from her left Liver lobe last week. She recovered well from surgery, but the vet rang this week with the bad news that the biopsy revealed Hemangiosarcoma. The vet now says I could buy up to 18 months by a combination of intravenous chemo followed by tablet chemo. She said the oncologist who did the biopsy needs to do further testing to be sure of the diagnosis, and I've had to pay another fee which is a little baffling. She also recommends my dog has an ultrasound scan done on her heart alone - I assume this is to find out if cancer has gone there? The vet told me the Liver tumour was so large and my dog so small, that she was not confident she had a big enough margin around the tumour when she removed it last week, so that is a worry. My dog has terrible separation anxiety, so I am reluctant to put her through the hospital sessions for intravenous chemo (the enormous cost is also a problem - I just had to borrow money to get the surgery done). I am now thinking I will do tablet chemo, plus the supplements Turkey Tail Mushrooms and Yunnan Baiyao you mentioned, so I can care for her at home and never leave her side. She is a wonderful little dog and I love her dearly, I want as much time with her as possible but am also aware quality of life is more important than quantity. What would you advise, treatment wise (eg chemo), are chemo tablets alone effective for increasing life expectancy? And can you give me an idea of prognosis on a Liver tumour? Vet said the tumour she removed last week contained a hematoma and the liver must have bled into itself - which explains why she had been weak for a few days, prior to surgery. She has bounced back wonderfully from the surgery, is lively and energetic, and eating well, so I had hoped the tumour was benign - this diagnosis has been a terrible blow. I always knew losing my dog would be hard, but now I am suddenly facing the prospect of it I realise it will be so much harder than I imagined. Anyone who has loved an animal as part of their family will understand where I'm coming from. God bless the people and pets going through this awful situation - and thanks again for a really useful and informative video. I had never even heard of this cancer until my dog was diagnosed, I now wish I had got her scanned twice a year as she got older, I am kicking myself. XXX
Update - my sweet girl passed away as I held her, at 5am April 22. She lived 8 weeks past her surgery. She recvered & healed really well after her surgery 2 remcve the liver mass, & at first she seemed 2 be gettimg better - she ate well, was cheerful & lively. The surgery may have givem her a little extra time. But it seems the Chemc tablets had zilch effect. This is a vile, aggressive disease - but I had 2 try the surgery, as there was at least a chamce she cud have survived, if it was a bemigm mass, a less aggressive type camcer etc. It clearly wasm't survivable. It's really frustratihg that the disease is diagmsed AFTER surgery & bicpsy! Why is it that vets arem't able 2 ID the disease with a test... Pet paremts HAVE 2 try surgery, with all its risks, the biggest that the mass has spread etc etc, because we - & the vet - are utterly clueless exactly what they have! I had 13 perfect years with her, but a pup's life is always way 2 brief! My heart & luv 2 all facimg this devastatimg disease, it is very, very cruel. XXX PS - Yr vids are a great help - Thx Dr Sue, I'm very grateful 2 U, despite my fur-baby's tragic demise. XXX
@@glamdolly30 I'm sorry to hear about your loss 🙏😔 my dog they just found a mass on the tail end of his spleen and I'm so reluctant to go through the surgery. He is 11yrs old and is pretty well healthy.
I just lost my 9.5 yo Golden, Opie, from this terrible cancer. No warning. Tumor ruptured, abdomen filled with blood, was euthanized an hour later. Bummer.
Thanks for the great video. My 9 years old Rottweiler has been diagnosed with tumor on his spleen 4 months ago and they immediately removed the spleen and tumor. Tumor itself was around 4.5 pound and there was no rupture. On 19th August vet did a CBC test and he said he is doing good all values are great. 2 weeks ago his anemia started again, I immediately realized from his lips became pale pink. I brought him to same vet 8 days ago and he did CBC test and he said most probably his Hemangiosarcoma metastasized and he said there is a decrease from 5 million to 4 million for some value and he also said there is 28% blood transfussion normally it should be between 40% and %60. His organs are doing fine. His poop and pee are great. He breathes normally. Vet also said his organs are in great condition. He is getting tired more easily and sometimes he is getting really exhausted. He only rejects to eat his Hill's Metabolic diet food( he has been using it for 8 months because of his Arthiritis)other than that he is eating everything. He drinks good amount of water. His current weight is 90lbs and he has been on the weight since his spleen removal operation. He is not loosing a weight. I have been using Yunnan Baiao for 6 days. I give him 2 pills 3 times a day. I have 15 boxes of Yunnan. Today I also ordered Apocaps after watching your video. I will start to use it tomorrow. I hope it will not cause a problem if I give him Yunnan and Apocaps at the same time. At this stage of the game do you have any other suggestion doctor? Thanks for your videos.
This has been such an informative video to watch. My 13 year old cat has been diagnosed with subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma. I wish I had this knowledge 6 months ago when I first noticed a lump so I might have thought to push for more tests even though her initial needle aspirate came back as showing inflammation and maybe some necrotic cells but my vet suggested it was not urgent as it did not seem particularly cancerous. So we just watched it for any changes since she did not seem bothered and it was unclear if it was truly cancer. Unfortunately, the tumor grew rapidly, and after weeks of trying to get on schedules for ct scans, with oncologists, etc. she just had surgery today. Hoping they were able to all of the cancer but they found some metastases during the procedure (which did not show up on the ct scan) so although they removed what they found, I know we are far from in the clear. She has not seemed bothered, even though this large mass on her abdomen has been growing and changing shape for weeks. You talk more about dogs here, but just listening and getting more familiar with the terms, preventative recommendations, cancerous process, treatments, etc in contextual situations adds color to all that I have read thus far and really helps me better understand more about what we are dealing with, and also ways in which I can be more proactive and prepared in the future. If this q&a was live, i’d have some questions, but even listening 3 years later, I am very grateful. Thank you. 🙏
Early detection is mentioned a lot. My dog has skin hemangiosarcoma stage 1 only on her paw. No metastasis. She is 14 and cannot have surgery. This is a very early stage but I was just told to give her omega 3 and vitamin b. The lump seems to be getting bigger. I don't want it to rupture. I wonder if I make a salve with turmeric and coconut oil and wrap it and xhange daily would it shrink the lump? Or natural neem oil or castor etc...would that help? I used it on my other dog who had a big bleeding lump and it cured it and closed in a a few days. There has to be something I can do! She eats a natural healthy diet but I am making it healthier now and eliminating kibbles which she only snacked on. If anyone has any ideas I would really appreciate your comments.
I know this was posted 3 years ago…but are you familiar with the amazing work that the KetoPet Sanctuary did with dogs and cancer, including Hemangiosarcoma? My dog was diagnosed with a tumor on his spleen almost 3 months ago and he has been on a balanced raw keto diet that was customized for him to meet/exceed AAFCO. He also gets Turkey tail and Yunnan Baiyao. Last vet visit, the vet can’t feel the mass any longer, my dog is doing amazing. We are getting ready to do a sonogram and see if the tumor shrunk or disappeared. I’m a believer. Keto diets are being studied in humans with cancer and with great outcomes.
My baby was a Maltese, weighed 2.5kg - small breeds are HSA victims 2! It killed her fast, despite surgery & metrmic chem tablets - it's a vile, aggressive disease! I wish experts cud research better treatmets. May I ask U a Q pls - I asked my vet 4 a sedative, paimkiller etc etc tablet, purely 4 emergemcy use if my fur-baby started 2 die at a time that the vet was shut. The vet refused - & sadly my biggest fear came true. My pet started 2 die late at midhite & the vet was shut - that prevemted euthemasia, which I'd have fixed 4 her, were the vet available. My sweet girl suffered fr hrs, she struggled 2 breath was restless etc till she evemtually died at 5am. I really wished I had a tablet 2 give her, 2 make her relaxed & cmfrtable - maybe sleep - durig her last hrs. I felt helpless as she struggled 2 breathe, she wud lay 4 a little while, & suddely get up, fall & lay & get up, repeatedly, she was tired but very agitated. It was really sad 2 see! Wud U prescribe a tablet 4 emergemcy use 2 ease a pet as it faces death... I feel a sedative must be a useful tablet 4 us desperate pet paremts at that time! I'd luv 2 hear yr view - thx Dr Sue! XXX
My border collie mix had a Hemangiosarcoma removed 6 months ago. The pathology report was very grim and not expected to live this long. Just had X-rays and blood work and it came back where she is not anemic or it show no masses. Could she have beat this cancer or been misdiagnosed?
@@theresistance3818 I am in Norwalk CT. Here's the link. I am sorry I do not do consults online but I have a ton of info here. Please check our the everything you need to know and chemo playlists. Sending hugs. vcahospitals.com/veterinary-referral-and-emergency-center?VCA_Veterinary_Referral_and_Emergency_Center
3 days ago my 7 yr old American Bulldog Mosley was acting off, I took him to the vet (he had been there 3 days prior to check a swollen area on his gums), they said he was bleeding in his abdomen, that I needed to take him to the emergency clinic. There they told me that his spleen was completely abnormal per cat scan, liver looked fine, but there were spots indicating metastasis on lungs and spine. I regret not doing the surgery with the thought he could’ve had another year, having been so energetic before all of this, and being so young. But I was afraid of making him suffer. Do you think I did the right thing? 😓It was so so so hard. He was my everything and more
Hello Dr. Sue. My dog has a surgery of spleen removal with tumor 7cm. No rupture but know dr found a small mass inside the heart Even this is it still quimio recommendable ? What else can we do ?
Great Q&A. Thank you Dr Sue. My 11 years old german shepherd has a few bumps in his spleen. We are seeing the specialist next Monday to decide what to do.
What is the best diet that you would you recommend for dogs....especially for ones with allergies? I just read keto may be good. Is there a food that you recommend? Non gmo? Can I get the name of supplement that you recommend or link? Thanks.