Canine Cancer Awareness- Hemangiosarcoma

After a beautiful 10 years with our beloved basset hound, he suddenly got very sick and had to cross the rainbow bridge. He lived a happy, fun, lazy hound-styled life (the way he liked it), filled with lots of cozy snuggles & kisses from his family who centered the best parts of life around him.

I felt inclined to write today's blog to bring awareness of the cancer that took him from us- Hemangiosarcoma, otherwise known as the "Ogre" of vetinary canine medicine (Ritt, 2007).

Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is an aggressive form of cancer that develops from the endothelial cells that line blood vessels. In dogs, it most commonly develops in the spleen, heart, and skin, although it can occur in other organs. Because these tumors contain abnormal, fragile blood vessels, they can rupture without warning and cause severe internal bleeding.

Hemangiosarcoma is sometimes referred to as a “silent killer” because a dog may appear completely healthy while the cancer is growing and spreading internally. In many cases, the first noticeable symptoms do not occur until a tumor begins bleeding or ruptures. Signs can include sudden weakness or collapse, pale gums, lethargy, decreased appetite, abdominal swelling, difficulty breathing, or unexplained weight loss. Symptoms may also temporarily improve and then return as internal bleeding stops and starts.

Unfortunately, hemangiosarcoma also tends to spread (metastasize) early, meaning the disease may already involve other areas of the body by the time it is discovered. For splenic hemangiosarcoma, treatment typically involves surgical removal of the spleen, often followed by chemotherapy. Even with treatment, the prognosis for internal forms of HSA remains guarded, which is why researchers continue to investigate better methods for earlier detection and more effective treatments.

One of the most difficult things about this disease is how quickly life can change, from having a seemingly healthy dog one day to facing an emergency the next. Learning the signs and understanding hemangiosarcoma can help pet owners recognize when something isn't right and seek veterinary care quickly (Cornell, 2024).

What strikes me as shocking and now frustrating, is that this is not a rare cancer, yet has very little awareness about it. Through communication with friends, 3 other dogs have passed away from this exact cancer this year in my area. With something so deadly and aggressive, why do we not know more about it?

I wanted to bring awareness to this, not to scare people, but to educate dog owners to have conversations with their vets about warning signs and to take your dogs for regular check ups.

Our best friend is gone and we cannot bring him back, nor was there anything we could do prior and we are at peace with that now as a family. He was happy and healthy up until the very end and lived the best life possible. They are not here forever and that

is the hardest part of being a pet owner.

On behalf of our family & Beau Beau, please do some research on this aggressive canine cancer.

(DISCLAIMER: I am not a vet- please consult with your vet for any questions or concerns & do your own research. This post is strictly to bring awareness to Hemangiosarcoma in dogs.)

References:

Ritt, M. (August 16, 2007). Canine Hemangiosarcoma- The Road From Despair to Hope. https://www.akcchf.org/research-progress/canine-hemangiosarcoma/

Cornell College of Vetinary Medicine. (October 2024). Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/hemangiosarcoma-dogs