Dog Spleen Cancer

The spleen is a small organ, located next to the dog’s liver. It has a variety of functions. The spleen stores blood, reinforces the immune system and filters out old or damaged red blood cells. Tumors in the spleen of dogs can be malignant or benign. In dogs hemangiosarcomas are the most common malignant tumors.
Spleen cancer originates from the blood vessels. It can be a group of Dog Tumors or one single tumor. These tumors often rupture and bleed. They are more common in dogs who have reached their senior years. Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd Dogs seem to be more likely to have a malignant spleen tumor than other dog breeds.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms vary. Unfortunately, if it is not observed by your veterinarian on a routine visit, the most common symptom is rupture, followed by blood loss that is often fatal.

Some common symptoms:

• Dog Weight Loss

• Weakness

• A mass in the abdomen or Dog Swollen Abdomen

• Dog Seizures

• Fluid in the abdomen

• Pallor

Diagnosis

If the symptoms have alarmed you enough to go to the vet, be sure to give a complete history of the events leading up to your visit.
Your veterinarian will do a complete physical examination of your dog. Blood will be drawn to determine blood loss or abnormal cells. A urinalysis will be obtained.

While x-ray may reveal the mass, ultrasound will most likely be used to perform a needle biopsy. X-rays of the chest will be done to determine if there is any metastasis in the lungs. An echocardiogram may also be done to see if there is fluid around the heart.

Treatment Options

If your dog has been found to have a malignant tumor of the spleen, it will be hospitalized. Intravenous fluids and blood transfusions will be initiated. This will help with Dog Dehydration and Dog Anemia. If metastasis is too severe, there is no advisable surgical procedure that can be recommended. If the tumor is still in the early stages, a Dog Spleenectomy can be performed.

There are times when Dog Cancer Chemotherapy will also be initiated, but it does little to prolong the dogs’ life. Spleen tumors are very aggressive. Survival time is short.

Home care

If your dog survives the surgery, home care will be very important.
Pain Management: your vet will give you medication to help with the pain. Be sure to administer the medication as directed. Do not wait until there are extreme symptoms of pain in your dog. Keep your dog as comfortable as possible by following Dog Palliative Cancer Care guidelines. Be sure your dog has a comfortable place to sleep and a secure place to get away from normal daily activities. This is when a crate will benefit your baby.

Be on the alert for any negative changes in your dog’s condition. Any sign of infection, Dog Loss of Appetite or other symptoms that may indicate a decline in their condition needs to be reported to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Checkups that include x-rays need to be done at least every three months to see if there is any further metastasis.
The most important consideration is that of your dogs comfort.

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