hemangiosarcoma

4andy

Hello everyone. I am looking for any and all legitimate information about a form of canine cancer that occurs in the blood vessels and causes deadly bleeding. It is most common in German Shepherds usually after they reach the age of 8 or 9. My Dad's beloved dog was diagnosed on Wednesday because a tumor in his spleen had ruptured and Andy was bleeding to death inside. His spleen was removed and he is home but his prognosis is very poor. Because it is a blood born cancer, it spreads very quickly and easily and will continue to cause tumors in his soft tissue organs until he eventually weakens and dies. His doctor says Andy has between a month and a year, but everything I'm reading is saying more like 2 weeks to a month. If you have had ANY experience with this devastating disease, I need your help. I have read a lot on diets and supplements that boost the immune system to help the body fight the cancer but it's hard to know what to believe.
I am anxious to hear from anyone who thinks they can help us. Thank you in advance!

doghaireverywhere

I'm sorry to hear the diagnosis of your dad's shepard but it is a very serious cancer and you need to focus on helping you dog to enjoy his life. There are foods, such as Hills NF, that are geared toward cancer, but even chemo, which could help, isn't a certain cure. Do all that you can, and though you shouldn't deny that he has cancer, don't focus all of you attention on the fact. It may hinder you from enjoying your time left, be it 2 weeks or much much longer. Remember, our pets don't grieve for themselves so when we are sad for them, it confuses and concerns them. Let him see that you are enjoying life as he is and his remaining time will be happy. Again, I am sorry you are having to deal with this. I wish you and your shepard luck.

kellymac

I am so sorry to hear about your dad's dog. I do wish you the best of luck. Doghaireverywhere is right, you should make this time with your dog happy and fun and enjoy every bit of it. Let him enjoy every bit of it too. He needs that as well as you do too. I know it is hard and it is going to be hard watching this happen to him. But don't morne for him. Let him enjoy life so you can too. I found a web site listed below that seemed to be pretty informative. There are a bunch of them out there. Again, I am sorry that this has happened.

http://www.vetinfo.com/dencyclopedia/dehemsarcoma.html

kellymac

I also found this for you. This person has a dog that is living with hemangiosarcoma. It has their dog's diet and some other info on there as well.

http://www.thensome.com/ginger/

Gracie

Question regarding the pathogy of this tumor, it is defnintly malignant?
Growing up we had a standard poodle who had a tumor on her spleen that ruptured, and both her spleen and the tumor were removed. the vet insisted that is was cancer; however, pathology confirmed this was not the case. Just something worth investigating.