Dogs of any age can be susceptible
to hemangiosarcomas - malignant tumors arising from blood vessels - but those
middle-aged and over 8 are especially vulnerable. The aggressively spreading
cancer may go undetected until the last stages, making it a silent killer.
Although they can be found almost anywhere in the body, about 80 percent of all
heman giosarcomas begin in the spleen, said John Berg, DVM, chair of the
Department of Clinical Sciences at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
at Tufts University. The spleen, a large organ in the abdomen, stores blood,
among other functions. “Fewer hemangiosarcomas arise in the heart and fewer
still in other sites, such as the skin, “he said. “And although not directly
heritable, there appears to be a predisposition among purebreds - particularly large
breeds such as German Shepherds, Labradors and Golden Retrievers. “Surgery can
often cure the form of the disease affecting the skin. In that location, the
tumor often doesn’t metastasize, or spread, to distant sites. Otherwise,
hemangiosarcomas are rarely curable. As long as expectations are realistic,
however, temporary remissions are possible. “Many dogs recover quickly from
tumor removal surgery and, although they may only have a short time left, the
quality of life during this time can be excellent, “said Dr. Berg, a surgical specialist.
Because splenic hemangiosarcomas develop internally, they often give little warning
until they become quite advanced. The spleen may suddenly begin bleeding, and
blood may enter the abdomen. “A dog may exhibit sudden weakness or he may
collapse,”Dr. Berg said. “His gums look pale and his pulse is rapid. He is in
danger of going into shock or even dying. If this happens, consider it an
emergency and get your dog to a veterinarian.”
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