The first time I heard about hemangiosarcoma was actually while watching an episode of the Michigan veterinarian, Dr. Pol. It was about a spaniel that ran into the house while playing and, after hitting something, collapsed on the floor. When he was examined, the vet found a ruptured spleen and suspected hemangiosarcoma. At that point, there was nothing that could be done to save him. 

In that moment, I remember thinking, “What a devastating way to lose a pet. I hope my next dog never experiences this.” And then six years after bringing Blueberry home, she is diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen. 

If your fur companion is diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, or HSA, my heart goes out to you. It’s a terrible cancer with a very poor prognosis. Blueberry had surgery to remove the spleen, followed by chemotherapy and a regimen of medicinal mushrooms. She lived for almost a year after her diagnosis.

This hemangiosarcoma guide is an honest breakdown of the choices I made concerning Blueberry’s treatment and what to expect when dealing with your dog’s splenic cancer. I hope to help you make informed decisions from working with your vet to alternative therapies to support yor dog’s well-being.

What is Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs? 

Hemangiosarcoma in dogs is a type of vascular cancer that affects the lining of blood vessels. Because it originates in the blood vessels, the cancerous cells travel to these organs, where they metastasize. Think of hemangiosarcoma as small blood-filled tumors inside the vessels that are extremely fragile. Unlike a solid tumor or mass that can be surgically removed, once the microscopic cancer cells invade an organ, the organ enlarges and eventually ruptures. 

There are two types of hemangiosarcoma in dogs: visceral and non-visceral. Visceral HSA affects the organs, such as the spleen, lungs, liver, and heart. The non-visceral type affects the skin. 

Symptoms of Hemangiosarcoma of the Spleen 

Dogs suffering from HSA of the spleen rarely show symptoms until the organ is already enlarged and causing discomfort. Many experience a rupture during some form of activity, whether after a brisk walk, jumping off the sofa, or running after a ball. 

The most common HSA symptoms in dogs include: 

• Pale gums
• A large and very round looking abdomen
• Bruised skin 
• Weight loss

Others may be off food on occasion or appear lethargic after short activities. Blueberry didn’t have pale gums, and she continued to run and play, but I noticed a protrusion from her belly when she’d lie on her back. She also ate less of her food, which was alarming because she absolutely loved mealtimes. 

Upon Blueberry’s veterinary examination, an ultrasound confirmed an enlarged spleen. During surgery, a 3 kg intact spleen was removed, but the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes. The veterinary oncologist mentioned that the removal of the intact spleen was a good sign, as it prevented additional cancer cells from spreading throughout her body. 

Unfortunately, HSA is only detected when dogs become really sick or experience a rupture. By the time the spleen ruptures, it becomes a life-threatening emergency, and most dogs don’t pull through. In my opinion, hemangiosarcoma is one of the worst cancers in dogs. They can be playing one moment and be gone the next; it’s that quick. 

What is the Lifespan of Dogs with Hemangiosarcoma? 

Sadly, dogs with HSA have very short lifespans. Without surgery to remove a cancerous spleen, they’re at risk of suffering from splenic rupture, which is life-threatening. With surgery, the average lifespan is 3 to 4 months, and with chemotherapy, this increases to between 6 months and a year. 

Remember that the average lifespan depends on factors such as lymph node involvement, whether the affected organ ruptured before or during surgery, the dog’s age, and breed. Larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans compared to smaller breeds with this condition. 

Treatment Options for Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs

The only real treatments for hemangiosarcoma in dogs are surgery and chemotherapy. You can support them with alternative therapy, with the most popular being turkey tail mushrooms. To help you determine which approach is best for your pet, I discuss what you can expect, along with the pros and cons of each treatment. 

Surgery 

Surgery is the first life-saving measure when it comes to HSA. An enlarged spleen can be surgically removed and involves a month-long recovery. Blueberry was placed in a high-care ward after her procedure, where she was monitored through the night. 

If your dog has surgery, keep them in a confined space to prevent reopening or irritating the wound. While this procedure is costly, and pets require at least 3 weeks of care to ensure the wound heals properly, it is the only way to stop a rupture and sudden internal bleeding. 

Dogs with heart-related HSA seldom receive surgery because of the high risk of the procedure. In most cases, vets relieve fluid buildup around the heart, but this is not a cure. 

Chemotherapy 

Blueberry received 5 sessions of chemotherapy consisting of doxorubicin. It was administered intravenously every 3 weeks. I know many pet parents are hesitant about chemo for their pups, but due to the aggressive nature of this cancer, chemotherapy is probably the only way to delay its spread. Chemo destroys the cancer cells, reducing the rate of metastasis.

In my experience, Blueberry wasn’t sick on chemo at all. She continued to play and regained her appetite but developed loose stools and wasn’t as energetic. 

Dogs with hemangiosarcoma do not receive the same strength of chemotherapy as people. This means they’re less likely to suffer from vomiting, hair loss, and the terrible symptoms that so many people are affected by while on chemo. Before your pet can receive chemotherapy, they must be vet checked, which includes a cardiovascular assessment. 

Blueberry developed an awful bacterial and fungal skin infection while on chemo. The veterinarian explained that the protective layer of the dermis was stripped, allowing bacterial and fungal agents in. Her hair fell out in patches. She was prescribed Malaseb shampoo and bathed twice a week even in the cold of winter! It took 8 months for her skin to improve. Chemotherapy can delay the progression of cancer, but on the downside, it increases the risk of seconday infections.

Chemotherapy is very expensive. Each session costs just over R5000, approximately $300 to $400. Fortunately, the treatment was covered by my pet insurance. But, if chemo isn’t an option for your dog, there are alternatives you can try, such as medicinal mushrooms. 

Ivermectin 

There is no evidence that ivermectin can treat hemangiosarcoma in dogs. While many people have reported positive results when using this antiparasitic medication for other types of cancers, I cannot say whether it would be effective in the case of HSA. If you want to try it, provide your pet with the correct dosage to avoid toxicity. 

Medicinal Mushrooms 

If you’ve looked into treatment for hemangiosarcoma, you might have come across turkey tail mushroom. It is one of the most popular alternative remedies for this cancer and is definitely worth including in your fur companion’s health plan. Turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) contain two cancer-fighting polysaccharopeptides, PSP and PSK. These compounds boost immunity and inhibit the growth of cancer. A study on colon cancer and turkey tail mushrooms showed promising results, including support for patients on chemotherapy. 

Even if your dog has had surgery or is on chemotherapy, I recommend supplementing their diet with these potent mushrooms. 

I placed Blueberry on a daily regimen of turkey tail mushrooms and lion’s mane mushrooms. You can read more about these cancer-fighting medicinal mushrooms here, including dosages and how they work. She was also placed on buffered vitamin C and fed a dog cancer diet. 

Cancer Screening 

Every 3 months, Blueberry’s abdomen and lungs were scanned to detect any cancer spread. The vet told me that if anything was detected, they could go in and surgically remove the cancer. I was under the impression that the cancer would appear as a tumor that could be cut out, and she would be fine. Sadly, this vascular cancer is so sneaky that even if it is detected, the cancer has already spread throughout the affected organ. Looking back, I would never have put Blueberry through those screens. 

When Blueberry was rushed to the vet, I was presented with the option of emergency surgery with little chance of her making it through or euthanasia. At this stage, the cancer had unknowingly spread to her liver, and while I desperately wanted to go through with the surgery, I knew it wouldn’t be fair. She would spend two or three weeks recovering, and ultimately the cancer would take her. The vet said the kindest thing I could do was to say goodbye. 

Final Thoughts 

When Blueberry was diagnosed with HSA, I thought she was given an instant death sentence. I didn’t know if my pet insurance would cover the full costs of the surgery, let alone the chemotherapy, and was unaware of medicinal mushrooms. I prayed for a miracle. Before I knew it, my vet negotiated with my pet insurance so I only needed to cover the co-payments. A friend told me about turkey tail, reishi, and lion’s mane mushrooms and how well dogs with cancer responded to them. I was hopeful. Blueberry’s cancer journey was 10 months, and although tough, I can honestly say that there were more good days than bad. 

It’s important to know that hemangiosarcoma is a rupturing cancer. Even if your dog has surgery to remove the spleen, the cancer will eventually spread to the liver, lungs, kidneys, or heart. A dog with HSA will experience “small bleeds” from the affected organ. Ask your veterinarian about medication to stop these bleeds before an emergency strikes. When Berry suffered from a bleed, she refused food and would lie in one spot or stand in pain. At that time, I thought she had a leg injury because of her previous cruciate ligament surgery. I had no clue that her symptoms were leading up to a rupture. 

Hemangiosarcoma is a different kind of beast. This rupturing cancer places your dog at risk of internal bleeding during the last stage of the disease. Remember, there is no right or wrong approach. Some pet owners choose euthanasia shortly after diagnosis to prevent any suffering, while others provide alternative therapy. It’s a personal decision that only you can make. My thoughts are with you and your fur friend.