Hemangiosarcoma Dog Skin Bleeding: What You Need to Know About This Cancer

Hemangiosarcoma is a type of cancer that affects dogs, causing skin bleeding and other symptoms.

This cancer is most common in older dogs, typically over the age of 10.

The skin bleeding associated with hemangiosarcoma is usually caused by the rupture of blood vessels in the skin.

One of the most distinctive symptoms of hemangiosarcoma is the presence of dark red or purple spots on the skin, which can be a sign of the cancer.

These spots can appear anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found on the legs, chest, and belly.

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Certain breeds are more prone to hemangiosarcoma, a cancer that affects the skin and can cause bleeding. Golden Retrievers are one of the most commonly affected breeds.

If you're a Golden Retriever owner, it's essential to stay vigilant about your dog's energy levels and skin. German Shepherds and Portuguese Water Dogs are also at a higher risk.

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Regular check-ups with your veterinarian can help catch any potential issues early on. Skye Terriers and Boxers are also breeds that are commonly affected by hemangiosarcoma.

Being aware of the signs and symptoms of hemangiosarcoma, such as unusual bleeding or lumps on the skin, can help you provide the best support for your furry friend.

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Symptoms of hemangiosarcoma in dogs can vary depending on the location of the primary tumor. If your dog has a mass larger than a pea (about 1 cm) or one that has been present for more than a month, it's essential to have it evaluated by a veterinarian.

Dogs with hemangiosarcoma inside their body may experience symptoms related to blood loss into the abdomen or the space around the heart, leading to weakness, lethargy, or pale gums. Golden retrievers, German shepherds, and Labrador retrievers are among the breeds most frequently diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma.

A veterinarian will typically obtain a thorough patient history and perform a complete physical examination. They may also recommend some initial blood and urine tests, as well as diagnostic imaging, to help identify the presence of hemangiosarcoma.

Here's a list of some of the diagnostic tests that may be recommended:

A definitive diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma is made by removal and biopsy of the tumor.

Symptoms can be quite varied depending on where the primary tumor is located.

Dogs with hemangiosarcoma inside the body may experience symptoms related to blood loss, such as weakness and lethargy.

Pale gums can also be a sign of this issue.

Some breeds are more frequently diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma than others, including Golden retrievers, German shepherds, and Labrador retrievers.

Dogs with cutaneous hemangiosarcoma may have a mass in or under their skin.

Cutaneous hemangiosarcomas are more commonly found in light-skinned dogs.

Sun exposure has been linked to these types of tumors.

For more insights, see: Skin Hemangiosarcoma

Any skin mass larger than a pea (1 cm) and/or any that has been present for more than one month should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

A veterinarian should obtain a thorough patient history and perform a complete physical examination.

Some blood and urine tests, as well as some diagnostic imaging, will be recommended initially.

A complete blood count will be done to measure red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

A serum biochemical profile will assess liver and kidney function, as well as electrolytes and certain gastrointestinal enzymes.

Urinalysis will help evaluate renal function and screen for possible urinary tract inflammation and infection.

A coagulation profile will determine if a patient can properly form a blood clot.

Diagnostic imaging tests such as chest radiography (x-rays), abdominal radiography, and sonography will be used to screen for evidence of heart and lung changes, including metastasis.

Echocardiography will evaluate the heart's function, identify tumors of the heart, and confirm the presence of abnormal fluid in the sac around the heart caused by a bleeding tumor.

A definitive diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma is made by removal and biopsy of the tumor.

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Surgery is the primary method of treatment for most dogs with hemangiosarcoma, regardless of the location of the primary tumor.

The principal goal of treatment is to slow down or delay the spread of the tumor and prevent life-threatening bleeding episodes.

Chemotherapy delivered after surgery may delay metastasis. "Standard" chemotherapy typically consists of the drug doxorubicin (Adriamycin) given once every 2-3 weeks for a total of five treatments and is generally very well tolerated.

Dogs with hemangiosarcoma of the skin surface may have a better prognosis after surgery, but it depends on the appearance of the tumor under the microscope, and whether the entire tumor is removed with surgery.

The average survival times with surgery and chemotherapy are approximately 5-7 months, with only 10% of dogs surviving for one year.

Dogs with the subcutaneous (under the skin) form of hemangiosarcoma may do somewhat better than this average, with a reported median survival time of 780 days.

Here are some general treatment guidelines for hemangiosarcoma:

Despite treatment, the long-term prognosis for dogs with hemangiosarcoma is generally poor.

A new study offers hope for dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, a type of cancer that can cause skin bleeding.

Research on Golden Retrievers may help reduce the risk of cancer in all dogs, as they are one of the breeds most susceptible to this disease.

The study found that dogs at high risk of developing hemangiosarcoma can receive eBAT, a genetically engineered drug developed in 2017, as a preventive measure.

This drug targets tumors while causing minimal damage to the immune system, and has been shown to improve the 6-month survival rate to approximately 70%.

Additionally, a recent study published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics found that eBAT improved the 6-month survival rate to approximately 70% in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma.

Some novel interventions have been reported to afford a survival benefit in dogs with specific forms of hemangiosarcoma, including:

These new treatments offer hope for dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, and further research is needed to corroborate these initial encouraging results.

Canine hemangiosarcoma is a type of cancer that affects a dog's blood vessels, most commonly in the spleen, liver, or skin.

It's a relatively rare cancer, making up about 7-8% of all canine cancers.

This cancer tends to occur in older dogs, typically between 10-14 years of age.

The skin is the third most common location for canine hemangiosarcoma, after the spleen and liver.

Hemangiosarcoma in the skin often causes bleeding or bruising due to the tumor's tendency to break down and leak blood.

The prognosis for dogs with hemangiosarcoma is generally poor, with a median survival time of about 2-4 months after diagnosis.

Surgery is often the primary treatment for hemangiosarcoma, but it's usually not curative due to the cancer's tendency to spread.

The overall survival rate for dogs with hemangiosarcoma is about 10-20% after one year.

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Surgery is the primary method of treatment for most dogs with hemangiosarcoma, regardless of the location of the primary tumor.

Chemotherapy delivered after surgery may delay metastasis. Standard chemotherapy typically consists of the drug doxorubicin given once every 2-3 weeks for a total of five treatments and is generally very well tolerated.

Dogs with the subcutaneous (under the skin) form of hemangiosarcoma may do somewhat better than the average survival time of 5-7 months.

The prognosis for dogs with hemangiosarcoma is generally poor, with only 10% of dogs surviving for one year.

Dogs with hemangiosarcoma of the skin surface may have a better prognosis after surgery, but it depends on the appearance of the tumor under the microscope, and whether the entire tumor is removed with surgery.

The median survival time for the dermal form of hemangiosarcoma is 780 days, which is significantly longer than the median survival time for the subcutaneous form.

Here's a breakdown of the median survival times for dogs with hemangiosarcoma: