Knowing that your beloved pet has Hemangiosarcoma can be very heartbreaking. Hemangiosarcoma is a type of cancer where its symptoms are usually unspecific. And this does not give an early sign in most cases. Until or unless your dog is going through a diagnosis, you will not be able to know that your dog is ill.
That is why it is very important for a dog owner to understand everything about Hemangiosarcoma. After figuring out Hemangiosarcoma, you need to take some necessary steps. In some cases, those steps also can seem very confusing for an individual. Likewise, Euthanasia can be a hard decision, and an option is that case.
So, in this writing, we are going to discuss when to Euthanize a Dog with Hemangiosarcoma. Keep reading for more.
What is Hemangiosarcoma?
Hemangiosarcoma is basically an infectious tumor that affects the endothelial cells of a dog’s body. Endothelial cells are directly connected with blood vessels in the body. Hemangiosarcoma is considered one of the most infectious cancers for dogs.
In general, it is tough to figure out this disease because the symptoms are not special unless or until the dog goes through a diagnosis process. In most cases, the signs or symptoms are unnoticed for a long time, and then it causes sudden death to the dog.
When to Euthanize a Dog With Hemangiosarcoma?
In case you are wondering does a dog suffer when they have Hemangiosarcoma? Yes. When a dog suffers from Hemangiosarcoma, that dog has almost no chance to survive. In fact, the survival time will also depend on the quality of life. If the dog gets proper treatment in time, then the survival time can be increased to eight months.
But eventually, this cancer will cause a very painful death to the dog. That is why sometimes considering euthanize a dog is a good option for the dog than going through some intense pains and suffering. Then again, you should always consult a professional before taking any further steps.
Primary Sites of Tumors:
When a dog is affected by Hemangiosarcoma, it causes tumors in the dog body. The tumor can be grown in any part of the dog’s body. In some cases, it is a visible tumor, and sometimes it is not. However, there are basically three sites called primary sites of tumors. Below are given those common sites where the tumors can be grown:
- Spleen
- Right Atrium and Auricle
- Subcutaneous Tissue
Tumors can also be grown in other parts of the body. Basically, these tumors are infected with the normal tissues and blood vessels of the body. Then it spread to the other part of the body. The other primary sites of the tumor can include:
- Lung
- Liver
- Vertebral Artery
- Kidney
- The Nervous System
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Stages of Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs
Hemangiosarcoma can be categorized into two types. One is splenic Hemangiosarcoma when the tumor is blocked in the spleen. Another is called dermal Hemangiosarcoma. In some cases, when the doctors do not find the tumor in the other parts of the body from X-ray.
Then, the tumor can be broken down into the inner body cell. So, below are given the stages of splenic Hemangiosarcoma.
1. Stages of Splenic Hemangiosarcoma
Stage 1: Usually in the first stage of Hemangiosarcoma. The tumor cramped in the spleen.
Stage 2: Infected tumor will affect the regional lymph node. Sometimes, it doesn’t affect the other regional node.
Stage 3: In the end stage of Hemangiosarcoma in dogs, the primary tumor breaks down and affects the other part of the body.
2. Stages of Dermal Hemangiosarcoma
Stage 1: As like the splenic Hemangiosarcoma, in this case, the tumor cramped in the dermal.
Stage 2: In the second stage, the tumor usually infects the hypodermis of the body cells.
Stage 3: In the final stage, the tumor can be broken down into body cells. And it can involve muscular involvement.
Signs and Symptoms of Hemangiosarcoma
The symptom of this cancer is unnoticed in most cases because it is really hard to figure out this disease unless your dog is going through a full diagnosis. However, the signs and symptoms always depend on the tumor, like where the tumor is, its size, and so on.
When the tumor is visible and in the body of the dog, then it may appear as a reddish bump. Sometimes, you may notice a reddish bump, which can also cause bleeding and mark in the body. On the other hand, it also can be grown up under the body.
When it is under the body, you will notice there is something swelling like a big tumor. But when the tumor is not visible. You can also figure out some internal symptoms. These symptoms and signs can include the following:
- Cough
- Shock
- Sudden Collapse
- Weakness in the Body
- Incontinence
- Abnormal Sleeping
- A Distended Belly
- Loss of Hunger or Taste
- Loss of Stamina
- Unexplained and Abnormal Weight Loss
Dog Hemangiosarcoma Life Expectancy
Hemangiosarcoma is quite common in the dog than other species. Because this disease is directly related to canine cancer cases. In fact, almost 5-10% of cancer cases of dogs are responsible for Hemangiosarcoma.
Dogs of all ages can be affected by this cancer, but usually, middle age and old age dogs have more risk for this cancer. Dogs breeds, such as Boxers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Skye Terriers, Golden Retrievers, are more at risk.
The life expectancy can differ depending on the seriousness and tumors. But on average, one to three months without any treatment or surgery. But your cure and treat the tumors, then the survival time can be increased up to five to eight months.
Do Dogs Suffer When They Have Hemangiosarcoma?
Before figuring out the disease in the dog’s body, the tumor can rapidly spread in the whole body. And then it affects the body cells and blood vessels. In that time, the dog has to go through a very painful stage. When the dog does not get the treatment in time, the tumor ruptures in the body.
Owners of dogs with Hemangiosarcoma often wonder – Is Hemangiosarcoma in dogs painful? Yes, it can cause painful suffering in the dog’s body. And ultimately, it causes a painful death. However, the survival time on average can go up to one to three months. Because in most of the cases, the dogs die before getting any treatments. As we have known, the symptoms may appear in the advanced stages.
Most of the symptoms appear when the tumor breaks down in the body. In this stage, internal bleeding in the dog’s body is quite common. But in the end stage, the dog dies a painful death. Unfortunately, there are no early symptoms that will tell you about this disease.
The Right Time to Euthanize a Dog
In most cases, the owner of the dog has to go through some hard times to decide whether they should euthanize their dog or not. They are also confused about the right time to euthanize their dog having Hemangiosarcoma. Euthanize a dog is the last option that a dog owner can do.
When the tumor is in the skin and visible, then there are chances for treatment. If possible, then the owner should treat their dog as soon as possible. Surgery at the right time can increase the life expectancy of the dog.
On the other hand, when it is too late to figure out the disease. When the doctor tells you that the chances of living are very rare, in that case, it can be infected with other body parts. And it spread very rapidly. In such cases, it may consider as the right time to euthanize your dog.
Signs of a Dog Dying in Hemangiosarcoma
This is really heartbreaking to see your dog is dying from Hemangiosarcoma. Dog owners who lost their dog to this disease notice some point-worthy signs. They observed those signs before their pet died. Some of the common signs are given below:
- Loss of hunger or crave. In other words, a dog with Hemangiosarcoma won’t eat
- Unusually behavior and trouble in moving or walking
- Sometimes, paralyzes in the body
- Internal bleeding
- Regular vomiting
- Shock and collapsed
What Causes Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs?
There are no exact causes for Hemangiosarcoma in dogs. Even also today’s scientists are not certain about the reasons behind it. But interestingly, there is some dog breed; those are more at risk of this cancer. So, genetics play a very big role here.
Scientists assume that genetics is mostly responsible for canine Hemangiosarcoma. Some research says that middle-aged and old-aged dogs are more at risk of Canine Hemangiosarcoma. In the larger dog breed, this disease is quite common. Some common dog’s breed that is more at risk includes:
- Whippets
- Boxers
- German Shepherds
- English Setters
- Portuguese Water Dogs
- Dobermans
- Golden Retrievers
- Skye Terries and many more
How Fast does Hemangiosarcoma Spread?
Generally speaking, canine Hemangiosarcoma spread in the dog’s body very rapidly. Then it affects and infects the blood vessels. That’s caused intense pain and suffering to the dog. Sometimes, it dog dies in immense pain.
On average, the dog can survive one to four-month at maximum. So before getting it worse, you always should get your dog medically checked. So if something goes wrong, then you can take the necessary steps before getting the matter worse.
Treatment for Hemangiosarcoma
Since it is an incurable disease, but there are some very effective treatment options for Hemangiosarcoma. Usually, it detects the advanced stage of cancer. Then again, if you can take proper steps, then you can increase the survival time and life expectancy of your dog.
The treatment option will depend on the hemangiosarcoma types. However, the options for treatment can be surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy. Among these three, surgery is more reliable, cost-efficient, and can be an ideal treatment.
Consult a Veterinarian
Before going to euthanize, you should always consult a professional veterinarian. They will suggest whether you should euthanize your dog or not. There are some factors that you should consider before euthanizing your dog. These factors can include the following:
- Consult the veterinarian and seek suggestions from them whether you should go for euthanizing or not.
- Always consider the quality of your dog’s life. Try to get them a better treatment or anything that will help. It may increase the life expectancy of the dog.
- You should concern about the treatment and surgery costs because some stages of this cancer cannot be curable. Your dog will eventually die. So, take your decision wisely.
In Conclusion
Deciding for the Euthanization of a dog is like a nightmare to the dog’s owner. Also, determining whether you should go euthanize or not is not a simple task. You definitely should consult a veterinarian before taking any steps.
However, you can remember that Hemangiosarcoma can infect and spread the whole body very quickly. So if you notice anything wrong with your dog, then do not waste your time contacting a professional. Sometimes, your fast move and necessary steps can save your pet’s life. So hopefully, this writing helped you to understand when to Euthanize a Dog with Hemangiosarcoma.
