Hemangiosarcoma - Page 1

Hemangiosarcoma is a term I learned on 5/12/2010 after the Veterinary Specialty Center in Grapevine, Texas gave me the results of the ultrasound. Rocky is my German Shepherd who turned 10 years old on March 2010.  In December 2009 my vet told me he felt Rocky's spleen was enlarged.  We put him on prednisone and in two months his blood test results looked like that of a young puppy, normal, normal, normal.  I had an ultra sound April 2010 which did not show any tumors.  Shortly after this Rocky stopped eating and began drinking water excessively.  The second ultrasound on 5/12/2010 showed a tumor on his spleen.  On 5/14/2010 Rocky had his spleen removed which had 2 masses.  At that time biopsys were taken from the liver and intestines as well as an chest xray and the result of the biopsys did not show where the cancer had spread. 

After much research and discussion with Dr. Melmed at the Veterinary Specialty Center, I chose not to pursue chemo/radiation.  After I brought him home, I hand fed him a few morsels at a time for a couple of weeks and gave him lots of ice to keep him hydrated.  He would not eat or drink from his bowl.  We started him on Prednisone 40mg/day for five days, and followed on as needed basis.  He began eating well, but still only takes ice for his fluid intake.  I feed him 3 times a day.  His diet is boneless/skinless/organic chicken breast which I boil for him, mixed with rice, metamucil, and Science Diet WD. It has been 60 days since his surgery, and we have had alot of good days playing ball, bellyrubs, lots of kisses, and many slumber parties.  I now give him one 20mg Prednisone/day and two Zantacs/day which has done well for him.  
Rocky is beginning to lose strength in his back legs, I see them shaking sometime and he tires more easily now.  We are making the most of each day as we always have.  As for pain, I did try some Tramodol which I found out is of the opiate family and this medicine totally put him down, even a small dose and he could not even walk.  The antinausea medicine metopromide (probably spelled it wrong) did the same thing.  The bad thing about Prednisone is that there are only a few pain medications you can use with it.  Unfortunately, Rocky can not tolerate what is available.  For now we play a little, rest a little, play a little, rest a little. 

I urged all German Shepherd owners to be aware of this terrible disease and know how to recognize the symptoms. 
It is a very aggressive cancer of the blood vessels of which there is no cure.  Please everyone pray for Rocky.

 So sorry to hear of the diagnosis on Rocky.  Enjoy your time together as much as possible.  I lost my beloved bitch to hemangio last year.  It is so often a silent killer and sneaks up on them before we know of it.   Damned disease.

I am so sorry Cathy.  Rocky is blessed to have you.  Sounds like you are giving him all the love and affection he needs right now.  Sometimes that is the most soothing medicine.  My prayers are with you and your family.'

~Rooka

I too am sorry Cathy, hemangio is such bad one. Keep Rocky comfortable as best you can. There are other pain meds you can use with the Pred.  Call one of the vet schools pharmacist, they are very knowledgable. We will hold your shoulders up for you while you are going thru this.
Always,
Cee