hemangiosarcoma of the spleen

[CMCoct]

We euthanized our 7 year old GSD this week who collapsed a few days prior.  He was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen and had it removed in emergency surgery in August 2007.  I took him through chemo and he survived 6 months following the surgery.  On his last day, he was rebounding following a traumatic night a few days earlier vomiting and collapsing.  He couldn't get up the next day but was more responsive the following.  Although fatigued, he could walk the day after that and even began playing with his toys.  So he was recovering.  But he still had a nasty cough, no appetite outside a handful of food each day, and fatigue/anemia.  

I read the natural end was not painful-a collapse, shock and death.  But what I saw Saturday night was terrifying for us both.  He was so sick and scared so I made the decision to "help". I now I have huge regrets and need some answers or any information to deal with my devastation.  

How long does a dog having hemangiosarcoma typically have from the initial collapse to the final?  I understand the inevitable outcome of the diagnosis but loved him more than anything.  I'm tortured by my decision.  I did it for him but can't seem to find an answer.  Is there pain and suffering in a natural death in this case? What is typical?  Are there other regrets either way?  I know these are questions that should have been asked earlier but the entire experience has missed my expectations every step of the way.

I thought I had more time.  Thank you for any help you can offer.  

[Detrick]

I am so sorry to hear about Cody-Jack. Certainly no betrayal in your actions.  This particular cancer is extremely difficult to catch early on, and even then, the long-term prognosis is not particularly good.  My dear Rocky received full check-ups every 6-months and the cancer went undetected.  In just two months, it became a tumor the size of a small grapefruit on his spleen, ultimately spreading at the microscopic level when it ruptured.  That said, I wish Rocky would have enjoyed Chick-fil-A as his last meal.  Thank you for being an outstanding pet owner.

[FGCFitts]

I am DEVASTATED!!!  I just found out 4 days ago that my dear Cody Jack had suspected Hemangiosarcoma!!! :-(  He had a nurf football sized TIGHT mass under his skin.  And when they got ready to needle aspirate it...it started bleeding.  They thought it would be puss or swollen tissue.  So we had his blood clotting factor diagnosed and found it normal.  Then after xrays and an ultrasound.....TWO liver tumors and the blood mass tumor extended from the tight area on his right side into his abdomen!!!  I was in SHOCK!  We NEVER knew!  He was 9 years old, and always laid back and stoic.  He had hypothyroidism and hip dysplasia, so he was always kind of "chill".  But he'd run after a squirrel like nobody's business.  His appetite decreased over the last two weeks, but otherwise...he was in GREAT spirits.

We laid our beloved Sheltie, Cody-Jack to rest yesterday.  Internal Med Specialist said with the amount of blood in his abdomen and the tumor...surgery would be too risky and with poor prognosis.  I was the most painful thing I have ever had to do.  My heart is broken!  I love, Love, LOVE that pretty boy!!!!  I took him to Chick-fil-A for a grilled patty as his last meal!!  He had NO idea!!!!  I feel like I BETRAYED him!!!  :-(

[FGCFitts]

I am DEVASTATED!!!  I just found out 4 days ago that my dear Cody Jack had suspected Hemangiosarcoma!!! :-(  He had a nurf football sized TIGHT mass under his skin.  And when they got ready to needle aspirate it...it started bleeding.  They thought it would be puss or swollen tissue.  So we had his blood clotting factor diagnosed and found it normal.  Then after xrays and an ultrasound.....TWO liver tumors and the blood mass tumor extended from the tight area on his right side into his abdomen!!!  I was in SHOCK!  We NEVER knew!  He was 9 years old, and always laid back and stoic.  He had hypothyroidism and hip dysplasia, so he was always kind of "chill".  But he'd run after a squirrel like nobody's business.  His appetite decreased over the last two weeks, but otherwise...he was in GREAT spirits.

We laid our beloved Sheltie, Cody-Jack to rest yesterday.  Internal Med Specialist said with the amount of blood in his abdomen and the tumor...surgery would be too risky and with poor prognosis.  I was the most painful thing I have ever had to do.  My heart is broken!  I love, Love, LOVE that pretty boy!!!!  I took him to Chick-fil-A for a grilled patty as his last meal!!  He had NO idea!!!!  I feel like I BETRAYED him!!!  :-(

[bestsunny]

I am so sorry for you and Lamar. You are faced with such a tough situation. I was in a similar situation and I chose to put my dog down. He may or may not have been a little closer to death than your lamar. He had been off his specially home cooked food (for this disease) for weeks, and very lethargic. The end was obviously near although prednisone had recently given him a boost. I didn't have the benefit of the medicine you are giving Lamar. I had never heard of it until after Sunny passed and My vet never mentioned it. Maybe others who have used it can give your more insight into the course of this disease with the benefit of the med you are using.  The only sure thing is that Lamar will pass away from this disease. If you have great faith in your petsitter to be around all day for him and be loving and make good decisions, than go on your trip. If your sitter doesn't know Lamar well and you can't count on her to be with Lamar and be watchful, then I would probably not go on my trip or put him down before leaving. If you put him down you will know that both he and you have missed severe wasting away and possible suffering - definitely heartache. If you're going to bury him in your yard you have logistics to work out. You will probably feel guilty no matter what you do unless you don't go on your trip and then you might feel resentful. Can you postpone your trip and still go later?  Good luck with your decision......It really is tough. In my situation, I knew that Sunny wouldn't last more than a couple weeks at the very most, and they weren't going to be good weeks. In the end, I think I probably did the right thing, but it was hard and I did feel guilty........

[peacefuldog]

My 14-year-old Anatolian shepherd mix Lamar had been weak in his hind legs for a while, and then his hind legs gave out a couple of times. I thought it was just the arthritis, but when his gums were pale and he literally couldn't walk I knew it was something more. I took him to the vet and an x-ray showed his spleen enormously enlarged and bleeding into his abdomen. The vet said either hemangiosarcoma or hemangioma, no way of knowing which. The vet assured me he wasn't in pain, and said that it was totally appropriate to take him home and let him pass away on his own, which would probably happen in the next few weeks. She recommended Chinese patent formula Yunnan Baiyao to control bleeding and ease pain.

This was July 9. I got the Yunnan Baiyao the next day and the results were almost immediate. Lamar could get up and go for a good length walk, was perky and wagging and barking like he always has. In the past week and a half, he's been up and down, often wants to go for walks, and yesterday we went to a beautiful swimming hole in the forest that's always been one of our favorites. He was definitely weak, and I'm not sure how comfortable he is. It's just so hard to know.

My fiance and I are going on a long-planned trip to see his family in Europe in 5 days now, and I still haven't decided what to do. If I were staying I would almost certainly let him pass on his own, and that is what the vet recommends. But I don't want him to suffer, and I don't want my wonderful petsitter to have to witness his death or make the call to have him euthed. On the other hand, he's done so well with the Yunnan Baiyao, I wonder if he is likely to make it another 3 weeks until I get back.

It is so hard. I want him to pass when he chooses and not to be the agent of that, but also want to be there for him.

I think there's just no way of knowing. You have to just make a decision you can live with, and know that your dog knows you love him or her no matter what. An ex-boyfriend said one really useful thing in the time we were together; You can't know whether a decision is the right one or not. You can only make a decision, and then make it the right one. I think of that often.

[ForTheLoveOfBucky]

I started a blog to cope with the process of fighting this cancer.  Information and solid support is sparse out there, so I wanted to put something out I thought might help.  Please check it out:  http://annagrundel.tumblr.com/   Our dog Bucky is in his third round of chemo (I was debating whether to do it, and now I'm glad we have no matter the outcome).  I've learned a lot from surgeons, oncologists and holistic vets, especially important is the info on diet and supplements I've included.  Nicksbuddy gave me some real encouragement.  My thoughts are with you all.