Pet owners may experience regret for not being fully prepared for their dog’s final moments, especially when the loss is due to cancer. At Paws into Grace, my veterinary team guides pet owners in knowing when it’s time to say goodbye with dignity and love. Learn to spot the signs a dog is dying from hemangiosarcoma to help you make compassionate end-of-life decisions for your beloved pet.
Signs a Dog Is Dying From Hemangiosarcoma
When hemangiosarcoma reaches its final stages, your dog’s quality of life rapidly declines as lethargy deepens and widespread metastasis takes hold throughout their body. Recurrent bleeding episodes occur with increasing frequency, creating higher chances of medical emergencies that your pet’s body won’t be able to handle anymore. These changes are often irreversible, signaling that your beloved companion is approaching the end of their journey.
I’ve been providing hospice care and euthanasia guidance since 2007, and unfortunately, I have seen time and time again how devastating hemangiosarcoma can be. Deciding when to euthanize a pet dog with cancer or hemangiosarcoma is heart-wrenching. In-home euthanasia allows you to honor your dog’s well-being and offer them the utmost care and respect in their final journey.
Signs a Pet Dog With Hemangiosarcoma Is Dying
In my experience as a veterinarian specializing in end-of-life care, the signs that a dog is nearing the end of life from hemangiosarcoma can often be subtle yet progress quickly.
1. Advanced Stage Tumor on the Heart
Large invasive tumors and severe bleeding are among the common signs that dogs with hemangiosarcoma could be near death. Invasive tumors on the heart can cause severe internal bleeding, leading to fluid accumulation that prevents proper pumping. Since chemotherapy rarely eliminates the cancer at this stage, the risk of a fatal event from uncontrolled bleeding or heart failure is critically high.
2. Widespread Metastasis in the Lungs
When the cancer spreads widely to the lungs, a dog may experience difficulty coughing and excessive coughing, which can include coughing up blood. It becomes impossible to manage their breathing comfortably. This severe respiratory distress is a common cause of sudden death for dogs with hemangiosarcoma.
3. Pain and General Distress
As canine hemangiosarcoma progresses, signs of severe discomfort, such as difficulty walking or paralysis (from spine/brain tumors), may appear. This sometimes escalates to seizures. Coupled with poor appetite, vomiting, and extreme lethargic behavior, these indicate that your dog’s comfort is deteriorating rapidly.
4. Poor Quality of Life
Even with therapy, when the primary tumor in the spleen or heart causes uncontrolled bleeding, a good quality of life cannot be maintained. Continuing aggressive treatment, like chemotherapy, is no longer beneficial when the dog is suffering and the disease is overwhelming. As a veterinarian, I guide pet owners through the process by evaluating the disease severity and the dog’s quality of life.
5. Likelihood of a Life-Threatening Emergency Crisis
Even with surgery and chemotherapy, the progression of hemangiosarcoma is typically aggressive. The presence of fragile tumors on the spleen or liver carries an extremely high risk of spontaneous rupture. The ruptured spleen or liver can lead to massive internal bleeding, resulting in sudden collapse and shock, making a life-threatening emergency crisis virtually inevitable.
Overview of Canine Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma is recognized as one of the most aggressive forms of liver cancer in dogs, often leading to a critical emergency crisis. This type of cancer also targets the spleen and heart.
- Dermal: Growths appear on the skin’s surface and can often be removed surgically. However, there’s a risk that the cancer has already spread (metastasized) internally.
- Subcutaneous: These are dark red, blood-filled tumors located just beneath the skin layer, with a high likelihood of having already spread internally to other organs.
- Visceral: This life-threatening form primarily affects the spleen and heart. Tumors in these areas can bleed heavily. A rupture in the heart can cause dangerous fluid buildup (pericardial effusion), preventing the heart from pumping properly and potentially leading to sudden collapse.
Causes of Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs
Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer affecting blood vessels and organs such as the heart, liver, and spleen. Hemangiosarcoma leads to the accumulation of fluid around the heart, known as pericardial effusion, which exerts pressure on the heart, hindering its function. Inadequate heart contraction due to this fluid accumulation results in an inability to maintain blood pressure.
This type of cancer also occurs in the skin if there is prolonged sun exposure. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation causes DNA damage and oxidative stress in the blood vessel-lining cells of the sparsely-haired or lightly-pigmented skin. This leads to genetic mutations and the eventual malignant transformation into dermal hemangiosarcoma.
In many cases, the exact cause of hemangiosarcoma is unknown, although a strong genetic predisposition is recognized, particularly in large-breed dogs, like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers. Environmental carcinogens could play a role in some visceral cases, but more data is needed. Exposure to toxins such as asbestos and even tobacco smoke may increase a dog’s risk for developing this aggressive cancer.
Symptoms of Dog Hemangiosarcoma
Bleeding in canine hemangiosarcoma can occur without any noticeable external symptoms, except for those induced by slow bleeding. Common symptoms include:
- Sudden collapse
- Difficulty breathing
- Decreased appetite
- Pale gums
- Severe weakness
- Heart arrhythmia
- Abdominal distension or a suddenly enlarged belly (from internal bleeding)
- Lethargy or decreased stamina
- Intermittent weakness (dogs may seem fine one minute, then weak the next)
- Weight loss
- Vomiting or nausea
- Increased panting
- Restlessness or trouble getting comfortable
Dogs may recover if bleeding ceases, allowing the body to absorb the blood from the abdomen, or they may succumb to severe acute blood loss.
Detection and Diagnosis of Canine Hemangiosarcoma
Detecting hemangiosarcoma early is notoriously difficult, often manifesting in advanced stages by the time the signs become apparent. As a result, my focus has shifted towards advocating for early cancer detection in different forms. Proactive measures detect hemangiosarcoma before it progresses to a critical stage.
Hemangiosarcoma serves as a stark example of the importance of cancer screening, even in the absence of symptoms. I strongly recommend annual abdominal ultrasounds, blood panels, and chest x-rays for senior patients. A biopsy can confirm if the masses are hemangiosarcoma.
Considering euthanasia preemptively can help prevent a crisis. The disease inevitably progresses without a cure or effective medication to slow its progression. The reality is that this cancer often advances rapidly, leading to severe suffering at any moment.
Treatment Options for Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs
Due to the aggressive nature of the cancer and its tendency to spread silently, treatment options are often considered with the goal of prolonging survival time, not eradicating the disease.
- Surgery: Removing the bleeding mass from middle-aged or senior pets that are cleared for emergency surgery.
- Pericardiocentesis: Removing fluid around the heart if there’s a heart hemangiosarcoma.
- Blood transfusion: For emergency stabilization, followed by splenectomy (removing the enlarged spleen) or liver lobectomy (removing part of the liver to remove the tumor)
- Chemotherapy: Combat the cancer cells that have spread, although it won’t provide a total cure.
- Immunotherapy: Stimulating the dog’s own immune system to better identify and destroy the cancer cells.
- Traditional medicine: Using the traditional Chinese herb Yunnan Baiyao to limit internal bleeding associated with tumors.
Prognosis of Dog Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma is highly aggressive, with cancer cells creating new masses that frequently spread throughout the body, even after initial treatment. This means the tumor will often reappear in common locations like the liver, lungs, heart, spine, or brain.
- Hemangiosarcoma has a poor prognosis, even with treatment options
- Rapid metastasis and progression
- Average survival is only one to six months after diagnosis
Vaccine and Prevention of Canine Hemangiosarcoma
There has been research to develop a cancer vaccine against certain types of cancer, including hemangiosarcoma. Vaccines have been developed for oral melanoma and osteosarcoma (bone cancer), with success in improving survival times.
The GD2/GD3 vaccine used with chemotherapy slows down the metastasis rate (cancer spread) to the lungs and survival time for osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and oral melanoma. However, only 12% of dogs with an autologous cancer vaccine have approximately a one-year survival rate with hemangiosarcoma.
What Is the Euthanasia Process for Pet Dogs With Hemangiosarcoma
When I guide pet owners through the euthanasia process for a dog suffering from hemangiosarcoma, I make sure that they understand each step. I typically encourage pet parents to spend the final moments with their pets.
- Preparation: The appointment begins with providing emotional support and clearly describing the process.
- Procedure: A two-step injection is administered. First, a sedative and pain medication are given to induce a deep, painless sleep. After this, a barbiturate drug is injected into a vein, allowing your pet to pass peacefully as the heart quietly stops.
- Confirmation: Once the final injection has been administered, I will confirm that the dog has peacefully passed away by listening to the heart.
- Aftercare: I will also explain aftercare choices, including emotional support services, for more guidance. The weight of dog influences the cost of cremation.
Can Pet Owners Consider Pet Euthanasia Despite Stable Conditions in Dogs With Hemangiosarcoma?
Consulting with a compassionate veterinarian can greatly aid dog owners in navigating the difficult decision-making process associated with hemangiosarcoma. By choosing in-home pet euthanasia, your cherished companion is surrounded by the warmth and familiarity of home, providing them with a sense of peace and comfort during their transition.
Hemangiosarcoma presents a unique scenario where euthanasia may be advised even when the patient’s quality of life remains relatively stable. Keep in mind that the effects can be erratic. One moment, your pet seems fine, then the next moment, they’re dealing with life-threatening emergencies. My team’s assessment of quality of life encompasses various factors, including:
- Meeting physical needs, such as hunger
- Absence of vomiting/diarrhea
- Social interactions
- Adequate pain control
- Likelihood of life-threatening crises
While hemangiosarcoma may not yet have significantly impacted a patient’s quality of life, the imminent risk of a life-threatening crisis is almost inevitable. In such cases, euthanasia is recommended to prevent unnecessary suffering.
Related Questions
What Is the Life Expectancy of a Dog With Hemangiosarcoma?
Dogs with hemangiosarcoma typically only have an average survival time of one to six months after diagnosis, even with treatment like surgery and chemotherapy. The cancer tends to progress and spread rapidly, leading to a relatively short survival time.
What Are the Signs That a Dog Is Suffering From Hemangiosarcoma?
Dogs suffering from hemangiosarcoma may exhibit signs such as lethargy, abdominal swelling, pale gums, difficulty breathing, and occasional collapse. Hemangiosarcoma signs are generally related to the tumor’s location, especially when there’s bleeding.
Can Palliative Care Make a Dog With Hemangiosarcoma More Comfortable?
Upon diagnosis, focus on palliative care to enhance a dog’s comfort. This can involve pain management, nutritional support, and close monitoring for signs of pain or distress. Consult a vet to discuss when euthanasia would be best for dogs with cancer.
How Do I Know When to Put My Dog Down With Hemangiosarcoma?
Determining when to say goodbye hinges on observing the signs of a declining quality of life, which should be thoroughly discussed with your vet. When unmanageable pain or distress is present, and bad days consistently outweigh the good ones, it’s usually time for pet parents to choose compassionate euthanasia to prevent a medical emergency.
Is Death by Hemangiosarcoma Painful?
Death from hemangiosarcoma is frequently abrupt, and it may not be preceded by substantial suffering, especially if a mass ruptures without prior indication. That said, discomfort can develop in advanced phases as the growth expands or metastasizes. This may result in issues such as abdominal distension, respiratory difficulty, or general distress.
Conclusion
Hemangiosarcoma is insistent and devastating because it goes undetected. When faced with the heartbreaking reality of this hemangiosarcoma, prioritizing your dog’s comfort and dignity becomes paramount. In such circumstances, opting for in-home pet euthanasia can offer a serene and familiar setting for your dog’s final moments.
