Keep the Tail Wagging is supported by pet parents. I occasionally earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) when you click through an affiliate link to one of my favorite products. Thank you for your support. Read More
Please note that I'm a pet parent sharing my experience with my dog who was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. I am not a veterinarian and nothing in this blog post should be used to diagnose your dog. Please use this information to familiarize yourself with this cancer's symptoms and one pet parent's treatment plan. You must work closely with your vet on the care of your dog.
When my dog was diagnosed with cancer, I was shattered and confused. We know that our dogs will leave us someday, but we never expect that day to be Today. Something had been off with Sydney for months. I had taken her to the vet repeatedly but the bloodwork and exams always checked out. I thought I was paranoid until I took her to the emergency vet for suspected bloat and learned that she possibly had hemangiosarcoma.
What is Hemangiosarcoma?
“Hemangiosarcoma of the spleen, or spleen cancer in dogs, is a cancer that is diagnosed in many canines every year. It is a cancer made up of the cells that line blood vessels, and therefore can be found in any part of the body. However, the most common sites include the spleen, liver and right auricle of the heart. Approximately 2/3rds of masses in the spleen are malignant and of those, 2/3rds are diagnosed as hemangiosarcomas. Splenic hemangiosarcoma is most often diagnosed in older dogs, with German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers being the most commonly affected breeds.” ~ AVIM.us
My Dog Has Hemangiosarcoma
A few things to keep in mind if your veterinarian suspects hemangiosarcoma…
1 – The Ultrasound – Sydney had a fast scan ultrasound. This is usually done when a veterinarian is short on time to give a quick diagnosis. A proper ultrasound needs to be scheduled, and a dog needs to be sedated. The issue with the fast scan is that the dog will be standing and may be moving around, so it's challenging to get a clear picture of what's happening. Also, the blood in the stomach obscures the view making it hard to see what's happening clearly.
2 – It's a Cancer Guess, not a Cancer Diagnosis – while a mass can be seen, an ultrasound cannot determine whether or not it's malignant. The spleen needs to be taken out, and a sample needs to be sent to the lab for testing. While a veterinarian can look at symptoms, results of a physical exam, and an ultrasound and come to an educated guess, there is still a chance that this isn't cancer.
3 – Hemangiosarcoma isn't a Death Sentence – this is a sneaky, aggressive cancer that is usually detected in an emergency visit to the vet after a dog collapses. There's little to no pain, and many of the symptoms can easily be explained as something else. We thought Sydney was slowing down due to age, the heat, and her arthritis. The next day, I learned that I got Sydney in early. Although hemangiosarcoma is aggressive, we still have time to change her fate.
If you receive a hemangiosarcoma (spleen cancer) diagnosis and are told that your dog doesn't have long, please get a second opinion. I thought we would have to put my girl down, and less than 24 hours later; we had five more weeks with her. Other dog owners have reported having additional years after an HSA diagnosis.
After a Hemangiosarcoma Diagnosis
I continued feeding Sydney a raw food diet, but I let her eat what she wanted. There are some things to learn about feeding HSA dogs that you can learn by joining a hemangiosarcoma support group. I tried to put Sydney on a Keto diet, but the process of testing her ketones was stressful for both of us. I knew she wasn't going to survive the cancer, so I kept her diet simple.
Resources for Keto Diet for Pets
- KetoPet Sanctuary – you will find a helpful ebook and keto meal calculator
- KetogenticK9 – there is a helpful tutorial on how to create your own spreadsheet that calculates your dog's keto meals
- Baby Steps to Healthier Pets
Supplements Added to Sydney's Diet
There were some supplements that I kept on hand to boost her immune system and to ease the discomfort and other symptoms brought about by a bleeding tumor. My goal was to make her time with me easier. She mostly slept on her bed, which I was okay with, and these supplements helped to give her a few good days.
- Yunnan Baiyao – Chinese herbs that are essential for dogs diagnosed with HSA.
- Hemangiosarcoma Formula – a blend of Chinese herbs that support dogs diagnosed with HSA.
- Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) powdered herbs
- CBD oil for comfort; never given during an active bleed.
- Turkey Tail Mushroom tincture – an antioxidant that boosts the immune system and fights cancer.
- Chaga Mushroom – loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants.
The Yunnan Baiyao and Hemangiosarcoma formulas were purchased from my veterinarian. You can find Yunnan Baiyao online as well.
Other Tips for Dogs with Hemangiosarcoma
I learned the following tips during the weeks we were caring for Sydney:
- Don't allow dogs to jump on and off furniture; this could lead to a tumor bleed. Instead, I would encourage Sydney to sleep on the dog bed by joining her there. I lowered my mattress to the floor so she could get on the bed.
- Avoid golden paste, fatty fish, salmon oil, and other foods that slow or prevent blood clotting. While the risk may be minimal, it's best to learn when giving these foods is safe.
Sydney's diagnosis was confirmed seven days after the initial vet visit, and we learned that she wasn't a candidate for surgery; it wouldn't improve her outcome. Sydney gave us five weeks after her initial diagnosis. When she reached a point where she was having more bad days than good days, it was clear that she was in pain, and her quality of life was declining, Dr. Sara of Compassion 4 Paws came to our home to help Sydney transition. Our hearts are broken, but we take solace in knowing that we fought for and loved her, and she passed in our arms being loved.
We have had two dogs with splenic masses and both were benign! I’m sure you have looked at the data, but it’s more likely that a splenic lesion is benign (70% in some studies). The number people fixate on is that 58% of malignant neoplasia in the spleen is hemangio. Our Bernese had a nodule in his lung so all the specialist assumed he has hemangio and did not recommend surgery. I still am angry that I didn’t push for surgery. The nodule ended up being scar tissue. He lived for 18 months with large doses of Yunnan Bai Yao, but the mass grew too large. One month before he passed, our beagle/chow mix presented with similar symptoms. We were adamant that she have surgery to remove her spleen. Hers was benign and our Berners was benign as well. We sent tissues off to the lab after he passed. I am sending healing energy for a successful surgery and hope for benign pathology! You are doing so many of the things I did for my boy. The FB Hemangio group was a lifesaver (we thought he had hemangio until he passed!) You will see my boy Dylan in the group files.
Praying for you both!
So glad you have hope. My Axel tore his spleen and that’s how we found out about the mass. Your experience is the exact same as mine. I thought it was bloat, rushed him in THANK GOD! He would have bled to death had I not acted quickly. The vet told me it wasn’t bloat. I breathed, relaxed. Then the next call as we waited helplessly in the car. She was worried about him. He had fluid in his tummy, blood. More tests but probably cancer. Now I’m in shock. I’m imagining putting him to sleep! WAIT WHAT? My baby, almost 9. The absolute best dog I ever had. No way! Can’t be true. We say do everything you can. We get an estimate. $10,000. How can you put a price on your baby’s life. We hand over the credit card. After a full week of worry we got our miracle. BENIGN omg I just hit the lottery! Praying for Sydney that you get the same miracle! ❤
So happy you took time to share it all for so many who care can get caught up. You are in my prayers continuously. GOLDEN hugs & DOODLE kisses from the Boys….