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Canine Hemangiosarcoma

Canine hemangiosarcoma is a soft tissue tumor (sarcoma) that arises most commonly from the spleen or the right atrium of the heart in dogs.

Canine Hemangiosarcoma

Canine hemangiosarcoma is a highly malignant form of soft tissue tumor (sarcoma) of the support tissues that surround blood vessels. Hemangiosarcoma can arise from blood vessels located in any tissue, but the most commonly affected sites include the spleen, heart, liver, subcutaneous tissue, and skin.

Hemangiosarcoma in dogs accounts for about 5 to 7% of all malignant cancers. The cancerous cells spread very rapidly and, along their way, they build their own blood vessel network which disrupts the normal functioning of the affected organs in the dog patient.

Hemangiosarcoma affects mostly middle-aged to older larger breeds of dogs. The average age of affected dog is eight to ten years. Males tend to have a higher rate of diagnosis than females. Breed-wise, German shepherds are among the most commonly affected breed. Other breeds with a high incidence include golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, boxers, schnauzers, pointers and Doberman pinchers.

Types and Symptoms of Canine Hemangiosarcoma

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There are three types of hemangiosarcoma in dogs:

Dermal (skin)

Hemangiosarcoma of the skin appears as a dark, raised skin lesion, usually on areas without hair, such as the abdomen.

Hypodermal (under the skin)

This type of hemangiosarcoma can occur anywhere on the body. The tumor may be a soft mass, or a firm mass with ulceration.

Visceral (splenic or cardiac)

Visceral hemangiosarcoma most commonly occurs in the spleen and the right atrium of the heart. This type of hemangiosarcoma is locally invasive and highly metastatic. Many of the warning signs of visceral hemangiosarcoma are non-specific, for example, the dog may have:
  • Signs of lethargy and weakness
  • Lameness
  • Appetite loss
  • Weight loss
  • Bleeding, especially nosebleeding
  • Pale gums (due to anemia)
  • An enlarged abdomen (when hemangiosarcoma occurs in the spleen, the tumor sometimes can get very large)
More specific signs may be collapse or seizure due to shock from rupture of the affected organ.

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Causes and Diagnosis of Canine Hemangiosarcoma

The exact cause of canine hemangiosarcoma is unknown, although it is believed that genetic factors play an important part due to the presence of this cancer in certain breeds of dogs.

Early diagnosis is made with regular X-rays or ultrasound examination of the chest and abdomen.

If hemangiosacroma is suspected, further blood tests are made. Abdominal fluid is aspirated to check for the presence of blood due to internal bleeding.

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Treatment for Canine Hemangiosarcoma

Canine Hemangiosarcoma

The type of treatment (and prognosis) for hemangiosarcoma depends on the type and location of the tumor.

Cutaneous hemangiosarcoma may be treated using surgery alone, provided the lesion is small and confined to the skin surface.

Treatment of splenic, atrial, or subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma may involve surgical removal of the primary tumor, which usually provides dramatic results. However, before surgery is even considered, an ultrasound examination should be done to see if there are lesions in the organs of the chest and abdomen, in order to determine a prognosis.

After surgery, chemotherapy on a regular basis can extend the dog patient's quality of life for nine to 18 months.

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Natural Remedies for Canine Hemangiosarcoma

Although natural remedies such as herbs, homeopathic remedies, and natural supplements may not be able to destroy tumors, they are nonetheless effective in strengthening the immune system, making the body stronger to fight against diseases such as cancer.

Some dog parents have reported success in using the herbal formula "Essiac" to treat canine cancer, while others swear by such remedies as the "Budwig Diet". For more information on these and other natural remedies for canine cancer, please visit our pages on Herbs for Cancer in Dogs and Dog Cancer Diet.

Related Topics

Dog Cancer
Symptoms of Dog Cancer
Conventional Cancer Treatment for Dog Patients
Herbs for Cancer in Dogs
Dog Cancer Diet

References

S. Messonnier, The Natural Vet's Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs (New World Library, 2006).
A.D. Shojai, New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats (Rodale Press, Inc., 1999).

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