Dog Bone Hemangiosarcoma

This particularly lethal type of Dog Cancer begins in the blood vessels. It rapidly metastasizes throughout the body including the bones. It affects a dog’s bones less frequently than Dog Osteosarcoma – OSA, and can be difficult to distinguish from osteosarcoma.

Hemangiosarcoma appears most frequently in older dogs and usually large breed dogs. It has the ability to affect the bones of the pelvis, skull and spine and the limbs of your dog.

Hemangiosarcoma does not have a good prognosis. With treatment, survival is merely a few months. By the time it is diagnosed it has already metastasized to other organs and parts of the body.

Signs and Symptoms

• Swelling of the bones for no apparent reason

• Your dog breaking a bone without cause

• Bleeding

• Lameness or pain in the legs

Diagnosis

As with all diseases, a good medical history is important for your veterinarian. In addition, your vet will perform a physical exam and diagnostic testing. This can include x-rays of the painful body part. From there it can progress to:

• X-rays of the abdomen

• X-rays of the chest and lungs

• Ultrasound of the abdomen

• Blood tests that include blood count and chemistry

• Urinalysis

• It may progress to a biopsy of the affected area

Treatment Options

The only treatment for this type of cancer is surgery. This will usually include amputation of the affected bone. Dog Cancer Chemotherapy and Dog Radiation Therapy can also be used. As with all cancers, pain medication will be ordered and should be administered as directed.

Home Care

Dog Pain medication will be the main part of your home care. It will most likely be pills or pain patches that keep the level of medication steady in your dog’s body.

Your dog’s activity will be limited. This is an attempt to prevent fractures of the affected bones. The cancer will weaken the bone. There should be minimal activity and no jumping or running. Playtime will disappear for your dog’s safety.

If any new bumps appear or lameness develops or increases, you need to notify your vet immediately. Although the lameness may be due to Dog Arthritis of ligament and tendon injury, it still warrants a visit to your veterinarian.

Once the lameness occurs, tests should be done to determine if cancer is the cause.

Other Issues

Osteomyelitis is another issue that you need to deal with. This occurs when bacteria enters your dogs body through injury and proceeds to the bone. The symptoms of osteomyelitis are similar to Dog Bone Cancer, but only your vet can determine the difference through radiological and lab studies.

Other types of cancer can attack the bone. Your veterinarian can distinguish the difference between primary bone cancer, or perhaps metastasis from another type of cancer. Often your vet will consult with a veterinary oncologist.

Pain and nutritional support are always necessary when your dog has been diagnosed with cancer. Special Dog Cancer Diets are available and Dog Cancer Dietary Supplements can have some effect on your dog’s stamina.

Suggested Products

Nu-Pet Vitamin & Antioxidant Wafers
Cancer Support Kit – Dogs

Additional Dog Cancer Pages

Dog Cancer | Dog Skin Cancer | Dog Bladder Cancer | Dog Pancreatic Cancer | Dog Bone Cancer | Dog Cancer Prevention | Dog Cancer Diagnosis | Dog Lymphoma Cancer | Dog Gastric Cancer | Dog Mast Cell Tumors