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hemangiosarcoma of the spleen
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.
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.
Oh thank you so very much, Karla. Very kind, heartfelt words.
It has been very difficult to cope with the loss. This is what happens when you have no kids and your pets become your life.
We have 9-years of great memories and hundreds of photos. Rocky will be remembered.
It has been very difficult to cope with the loss. This is what happens when you have no kids and your pets become your life.
We have 9-years of great memories and hundreds of photos. Rocky will be remembered.
Detrick...I am so sorry for your loss.....You did a wonderful job for your Rocky and should be commended for it...Thank you for giving him such a loving home all these years......RIP Rocky....You were/are very much loved...One of the Lucky ones!!!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.......Karla
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.......Karla
With respect to my last posting a few hours ago, I was notified at 2 AM that Rocky did not make it through the recovery period. They took him outside for a slow walk 12-hours after surgery and he collapsed due to heart/lung arrest. I originally specified Code 2 on the paperwork prior to surgery, and after 15-minutes of CPR and stimulant heart meds, he was still non-responsive. I asked them to stop.
His age, weakening of the heart due to chemo treatments and the effects of anesthesia all played into it. We are completely devastated, lots of tears and coffee in the middle of the night.
My heart goes out to all owners that have to go through this. Not only is this a dreadful cancer, secondary complications due to it can be even worse.
His age, weakening of the heart due to chemo treatments and the effects of anesthesia all played into it. We are completely devastated, lots of tears and coffee in the middle of the night.
My heart goes out to all owners that have to go through this. Not only is this a dreadful cancer, secondary complications due to it can be even worse.
To answer the original question posted back in 2008 for anyone's future benefit, survival time after initial collapse is highly variable. Assuming the hemangiosarcoma has only metastasized microscopically and has resulted in a tumor bleed from the spleen or liver, survival time can be several days or weeks.
If you thicken the blood using Yannan Baiyao (YB) capsules (Amazon.com), you might be able to successfully treat multiple bleeding episodes for several weeks or months. It essentially the opposite of what aspirin does and allows for faster coagulation. One account on the internet demonstrated three months survival time after initial collapse using YB. If the bleed is too great, then the dog may go into anemic shock and not recover regardless of any treatment, short of surgery.
My 9-year old Boxer Rocky had his spleen removed due to a hemangiosarcoma tumor. Then six treatments of single agent chemo followed every 3-weeks. He did great! He also has been on I'm Yunity mushroom polysaccharde peptides, which supposedly results in a longer survival rate than chemo (additional University studies are required to confirm this finding, as the researchers neglected to use a placebo or control group.)
Four months from diagnosis, Rocky suddenly become lethargic again, he could barely stand straight and his gums were very light pink (pale.) We took him back to the Oncologist and she found a bleeding tumor on his liver. We decided to have a second surgery immediately (actually today), and he has come out of it well. Hopefully he will survive the recovery period over the next 24-hours. The Surgeon told me that they removed 1/2 liter of pooled blood from the abdomen prior to his surgery. He had to be given blood transfusions to increase his hemoglobin count. No visual metastasis noted once again (but it it certainly there microscopically.)
That said, our Boxer may live only another 2-3 months before the cancer forms new bleeding tumors. Perhaps with the mushroom polysaccharde peptide capsules, he may live longer. He will also be treated with YB to control the bleeding near the end to extend his life further.
It has cost us a fortune to "buy" additional time for my beloved dog when dealing with this horrible caner. It makes no financial sense whatsoever, however, our Boxer is considered a family member and we will do what we can within our budgetary means to extend his life.
You should not feel bad in deciding not to treat your beloved dog for this type of cancer. In the end, a few months of additional life will not mean much down the road. Albeit, it is nice to have some extra time to cope emotionally and reinforce that loving bond with your dog one last time.
I hope this post allows some of you to research the treatments available if you decide to prolong your dog's life, as well as answer the original posted question.
If you thicken the blood using Yannan Baiyao (YB) capsules (Amazon.com), you might be able to successfully treat multiple bleeding episodes for several weeks or months. It essentially the opposite of what aspirin does and allows for faster coagulation. One account on the internet demonstrated three months survival time after initial collapse using YB. If the bleed is too great, then the dog may go into anemic shock and not recover regardless of any treatment, short of surgery.
My 9-year old Boxer Rocky had his spleen removed due to a hemangiosarcoma tumor. Then six treatments of single agent chemo followed every 3-weeks. He did great! He also has been on I'm Yunity mushroom polysaccharde peptides, which supposedly results in a longer survival rate than chemo (additional University studies are required to confirm this finding, as the researchers neglected to use a placebo or control group.)
Four months from diagnosis, Rocky suddenly become lethargic again, he could barely stand straight and his gums were very light pink (pale.) We took him back to the Oncologist and she found a bleeding tumor on his liver. We decided to have a second surgery immediately (actually today), and he has come out of it well. Hopefully he will survive the recovery period over the next 24-hours. The Surgeon told me that they removed 1/2 liter of pooled blood from the abdomen prior to his surgery. He had to be given blood transfusions to increase his hemoglobin count. No visual metastasis noted once again (but it it certainly there microscopically.)
That said, our Boxer may live only another 2-3 months before the cancer forms new bleeding tumors. Perhaps with the mushroom polysaccharde peptide capsules, he may live longer. He will also be treated with YB to control the bleeding near the end to extend his life further.
It has cost us a fortune to "buy" additional time for my beloved dog when dealing with this horrible caner. It makes no financial sense whatsoever, however, our Boxer is considered a family member and we will do what we can within our budgetary means to extend his life.
You should not feel bad in deciding not to treat your beloved dog for this type of cancer. In the end, a few months of additional life will not mean much down the road. Albeit, it is nice to have some extra time to cope emotionally and reinforce that loving bond with your dog one last time.
I hope this post allows some of you to research the treatments available if you decide to prolong your dog's life, as well as answer the original posted question.
Dear Katkrauss,
My heart is with you, our beloved Golden passed away on the 27 of Jan. from the same cause, we didn't even know about the disease until my girl Sam was suddenly taken sick, she eas 12 and had been in good health until then. Our lives are diminished by their loss but you did the right thing.
Debi
My heart is with you, our beloved Golden passed away on the 27 of Jan. from the same cause, we didn't even know about the disease until my girl Sam was suddenly taken sick, she eas 12 and had been in good health until then. Our lives are diminished by their loss but you did the right thing.
Debi
So here we struggle with this dilemma as well. Rushed our Swiss Mountain dog, Gridley, to the vet tonight. He had been on Prednisone which, initially, perked him up as good as new, Today we came home to find him unable to stand and listless. Gastric ulcer vs. hemangiosarcoma of the spleen. Cannot stand to see him suffer. Spending a few nights at the vet's office to see what they can do. He has lived an amazing 10 1/2 years (life span is 6-10 years). Would hate to see him leave us, butwant him to be free of the pain and suffering.
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