Deciding when to euthanize a dog with hemangiosarcoma can be incredibly difficult. Dr. Erica Irish—a veterinarian who lost not one but two of her beloved dogs to hemangiosarcoma—understands. On the invitation of integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby, Dr. Irish wrote this blog to share her experiences and expertise with other dog parents who are facing the same heartbreaking decision.
You’ve just been told your best furry friend has cancer—news no one wants to hear. Perhaps you are learning this information from your vet after the biopsy confirmed your dog’s mass was a hemangiosarcoma (i.e. blood vessel cancer). Or maybe you’re trying to make sense of cancer as a potential explanation for why your dog has a lot of blood in his or her abdomen. In any case, your heart is probably breaking.
Hemangiosarcoma is one of the worst types of canine cancer. It has a nasty habit of showing up unexpectedly, and once it makes itself known, it tends to abruptly cut short the time you have with your beloved canine companion.
Maybe you are wondering, “Why does hemangiosarcoma result in such tragic outcomes? How long can a dog live with one, and how do you know when to euthanize a dog with hemangiosarcoma?” I’ve been in your shoes, so I hope to use the combination of my experience as a veterinarian, and as the mom of two dogs with hemangiosarcoma, to help answer those questions for you.
What is hemangiosarcoma in dogs?
Hemangiosarcomas are tumors that originate from cells that make up blood vessels. Like most cancers, these tumors represent uncontrolled cell growth.
Hemangiosarcomas can grow on the skin (i.e. cutaneous hemangiosarcomas) or originate from the internal organs (i.e. visceral hemangiosarcomas). Cutaneous hemangiosarcomas usually occur as a single, solitary mass. They are typically benign tumors in that they do not spread (i.e. metastasize) to other parts of the body.
Visceral hemangiosarcomas most commonly affect the spleen, liver, and heart. These three organs are comprised of many blood vessels, particularly the spleen and heart. Splenic hemangiosarcomas, which are the most common cancerous splenic masses in dogs, can suddenly rupture and lead to intense blood loss within the abdominal cavity. This is a medical emergency known as a hemoabdomen. Heart-based hemangiosarcomas can cause similar bleeding, but within the chest cavity (i.e. hemothorax).
Visceral hemangiosarcomas can remain quiet for long periods of time. But eventually they may start bleeding in very small amounts, or rupture so severely that a dog becomes pale and collapses from profound blood loss. Being able to recognize the symptoms of a bleed and intervene quickly can mean the difference between life and death.
What are the treatment options for dogs with hemangiosarcoma?
If a dog has a bleeding splenic tumor, surgery to remove the spleen (i.e. a splenectomy) is the main treatment. A dog can live without a spleen, but the surgery is still risky. Plus, sometimes the tumor may have already spread to the liver or other locations, which make the prognosis even worse. With surgery alone, average survival times are short (three to six weeks) for hemangiosarcoma patients. Without surgery, pet parents often end up euthanizing their dog with a bleeding hemangiosarcoma at the time of diagnosis.
If you decide to go forward with surgery, you can talk to a veterinary oncologist about your dog’s options for post-surgery chemotherapy. Today’s current chemo options may extend average post-surgical life expectancy to about six to nine months in some cases.
There are also veterinary companies that specialize in the creation of immunotherapy for dogs. Once a tumor has been removed and tested, the specialists can make a vaccination out of it. The vaccination boosts the immune system in a dog’s body, making it easier to detect and kill cancer cells. While this might not be a complete cancer cure, it could extend a dog’s life expectancy by a few more months.
If your dog’s hemangiosarcoma is not actively bleeding, you can also ask your veterinarian about Chinese herbs such as Yunnan Baiyao for dogs. This supplement can help decrease the risk of bleeding from small blood vessels. Even though it is not 100% effective against all bleeding, it may make the difference between a small amount of blood loss and a life-threatening hemorrhage. Using Yunnan Baiyao for dogs with hemangiosarcoma can buy you time while trying to figure out the next step for your dog.
For more detailed information on hemangiosarcomas, I urge you to read my other article, Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy.
How can a hemangiosarcoma impact a dog’s quality of life?
As you may be able to guess based on the description of cutaneous vs. visceral hemangiosarcoma, a dog’s quality of life will depend on the type of hemangiosarcoma present. Cutaneous hemangiosarcomas typically will not spread to other body parts. This means these tumors are unlikely to cause a significant decline in quality of life. Overall, they carry a good prognosis.
On the other hand, visceral hemangiosarcomas can metastasize to other organs within the abdomen or even up to the lungs. The presence of tumors on the lungs can cause difficulty breathing. Plus, if the initial tumor or any of the metastatic tumors rupture, the resulting free blood in the abdomen or chest can make it difficult for a dog to catch his or her breath.
Due to blood loss, there are less red blood cells available to transport oxygen to other internal organs. This means dogs with internal bleeding may appear to be more of a lethargic dog than normal or pant a lot more. They may be reluctant to go for a long walk or chase a tennis ball in this state. Internal bleeding can also be a painful experience, and your pup may not like it when you touch his or her belly for pats.
How do you know when it is time to euthanize a dog with hemangiosarcoma?
If internal bleeding gets to a certain point, it can be life-threatening. This risk of bleeding is one of the factors that determines how long a dog lives with hemangiosarcoma. In an emergency situation, when your dog is suffering from severe internal bleeding, you might need to make an immediate decision—do you proceed with surgery or say goodbye to your dog?
Some signs your dog is dying from hemangiosarcoma include:
- Pale gums
- Rapid heartrate
- Panting, difficulty breathing, or a dog who is breathing fast
- Weakness and collapse
- Distended abdomen (pot-bellied dog appearance)
If you see these signs at home, immediately head to an emergency clinic or your vet for an emergency vet visit.
In other situations you may have a bit more time to think about when to euthanize your dog with hemangiosarcoma. This may be the case when the bleeding is currently slow or non-existent or when your dog has already had surgery to remove the splenic mass and is now starting to decline.
After a hemangiosarcoma diagnosis, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination and qualitative assessment of your pup. Based on that evaluation, your vet can make his or her recommendations. Sometimes that involves telling you that it’s time to consider humane euthanasia.
But in other cases, your vet might ask about what you are seeing at home with respect to quality of life. So, how do you know what to look for?
Ways to evaluate quality of life
Thankfully, there are several resources available to help you consider when it is time to say goodbye to your dog with hemangiosarcoma. One of my favorites is from The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. On their website, they have a quality of life evaluation form that you can use to help gain some clarity.
It also helps to keep a log or list of your dog’s good days and bad days. To know which days are bad ones, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is my dog painful or having any issues with getting around the house?
- Is my dog having problems urinating or defecating? Is he or she having accidents in the house?
- Has my dog’s behavior changed? Is he or she fearful, aggressive, or confused at times?
- Is my dog having seizures or more intense seizure activity?
- Does my dog show any interest in eating or drinking?
- Does my dog enjoy the same things that he or she used to (e.g., walks, toys, treats)?
- Is my dog responding to current medical therapies or palliative care?
When bad days begin to outnumber the good, this may help you know it is time to euthanize your dog.
Considering the financial cost
Like it or not, another factor to consider is the cost of treatment. It is common for veterinarians and veterinary oncologists to discuss treatment options such as surgery and chemotherapy for these patients. However, these options can cost several thousand dollars. When it came time to make the decision for my pups with hemangiosarcoma, I was fortunate that I had the finances to cover the costs for the surgeries. I know that isn’t the case for everyone, though.
If you cannot afford treatment but think it is the right choice for your dog, there are a few avenues you could pursue. You might want to look into some sort of payment option like CareCredit or ScratchPay. Or perhaps you could start a crowdfunding account or apply for funds through a non-profit organization. If you already have pet insurance, that can help offset some of the costs for emergency surgery.
Regardless of if surgery is financially feasible or not, never feel guilty about electing to put your dog to sleep to end his or her suffering if you think that is right. Just because you can afford surgery and chemotherapy doesn’t mean you have to pursue it. And just because you can’t afford it, this doesn’t mean you love your dog any less. Humane euthanasia is always a kind option for pets with discomfort and pain.
Lean on the experience of others to help make the decision
One of the factors that makes decision making challenging is that hemangiosarcoma can be very difficult to predict. For many pet owners, you won’t know your pup has a hemangiosarcoma until the moment it ruptures internally, causing life-threatening blood loss and a heart-pounding journey to the emergency room.
Even when you’re armed with the information provided in this and other articles on hemangiosarcoma in dogs, it can be impossible to think in the heat of the moment. But sometimes it helps to read through some real-world examples.
I have experienced splenic hemangiosarcoma in two of my own dogs, and I would like to share their stories with you. One was a black Labrador Retriever named Lulu, and the other was a Kelpie-mix dog named Swiper.
Loving and losing Lulu
I acquired my Lulu in 2010, at the end of my first year in veterinary school. I had always avoided retrievers because I knew how intense and excitable they could be. But once Lulu entered my life, I knew that I was stuck on Labs forever! Our personalities were so similar—we loved people, and we loved food. And even though I have lots of different family members, Lulu was attached to me.
In the fall of 2019, Lulu began acting strangely. One morning, she was weak, and she didn’t want to eat her breakfast. When I noticed her rapidly panting, I checked her gum color. They were pale white. I already knew that Labradors had an increased risk of visceral hemangiosarcoma, so my thoughts immediately went to getting her to the vet clinic for an X-ray of her belly. Sure enough, there was evidence of a mass near her spleen, and it looked like there was internal bleeding too.
Making the decision between surgery and euthanasia
At this point, I had two options. I could approve an exploratory surgery to determine if the bleeding was coming from the spleen or somewhere else. Or I could decide on humane euthanasia. The first option meant the surgeon might be able to remove the source of the bleeding if it was a splenic tumor. And then I could potentially take Lulu home with me while waiting to find out if the mass was malignant or benign.
However, I also knew the first option could cost a few thousand dollars, or even more if there was the need for intensive hospital care and/or multiple blood transfusions. At the time, I had the money to cover the cost of Lulu’s surgery. If I couldn’t have afforded the surgery, it would have been time to put Lulu down because it would have been unfair to let her continue to suffer the way that she was.
Lulu’s surgery revealed a large splenic mass and several lesions on her liver. Malignant cancers can metastasize, so I had a bad feeling that the testing would reveal a splenic hemangiosarcoma. Sadly, the biopsy confirmed this diagnosis. Lulu was able to come home, and we had a good three weeks of eating all the snacks a Labrador could wish for!
Knowing it was time to say goodbye
One afternoon, Lulu became weak and collapsed again. My family called me at work when this occurred, and I told them to check her gums. Once again, her gums were pale white. Knowing that liver lesions were present, I had a feeling she was bleeding internally again. Even in her weak state, she was so thrilled to see me at work!
Unfortunately, I confirmed my fear that she had another hemoabdomen. This meant she was reaching the end stages of hemangiosarcoma in dogs. Even with some of the newer therapies to improve quality of life for dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, I knew that the life expectancy for them post-surgery was about three to six weeks. As we say in veterinary medicine, Lulu “read the textbook” for what to expect.
I knew that it was time to say goodbye to her. It was a peaceful experience for my “Great Irish Hooley” (her nickname, referencing a lively Gaelic party), but it was one of the most difficult farewells for me. Lulu’s Labrador successor, Rosie, was adopted a few years later, and she has helped my little retriever-loving heart heal!
Supporting and saying goodbye to Swiper
Swiper’s previous owner was looking to re-home him in the summer of 2018. (They were moving and didn’t want to take him or their three other pets with them). Being a family of intense animal lovers, we took in all four animals at the same time—Swiper, his Labrador brother named Dozer, and a bonded pair of cats named Roxie and Darby.
Swiper was an interesting fellow. He could be calm, friendly, and very cuddly. Swiper loved snacks and his nightly dental chews (every night at nine is “chew o’clock” in my household). But he was also an avid hunter of small prey, and he could streak across the yard with the best of them to chase squirrels and baby bunnies.
In the late spring of 2021, Swiper started getting picky about his food. He would eat a few kibbles, then just stand there over his bowl while everyone else ate around him. One weekend, he vomited a total of three times in the span of an hour. He then fell over and would not stand up again. Swiper also had a wide-eyed kind of appearance, which I interpreted as a sign of pain in dogs.
We quickly drove him to my veterinary hospital and admitted him for some fluid therapy plus X-rays. Like Lulu, he also had a mass present in the vicinity of his spleen. This was confirmed to be a splenic mass on ultrasound the following day.
Making decisions for Swiper
Once again, I had two options before me. I could bring him to surgery and, worst case scenario, hope for a few more weeks with him if this was a hemangiosarcoma. Or I could elect humane euthanasia to end Swiper’s suffering.
Our family chose the surgery, but unfortunately Swiper had a very rough recovery. It turns out he already had metastatic lesions in his chest, and he had to be on oxygen therapy for a couple of days before we could bring him home.
While his breathing improved slightly, Swiper had very little energy. He would only get up to walk outside for “bathroom” breaks or to go drink water. He had little interest in food, even the choice cuts of chicken and meats I purchased for him.
Swiper was home with us for about one week before he started having acute collapse episodes. When he would take a few steps, he would slip to the floor and start panting heavily. I interpreted this to mean that Swiper was throwing blood clots (i.e. thromboembolisms). Studies show that there is an increased risk of forming blood clots in the two weeks post-spleen removal surgery.
Due to these episodes and his intermittent breathing difficulties, our family decided that it was time to put Swiper to sleep. We were all very sad that we didn’t have as much time with him as we did with Lulu. But we felt good knowing that we had tried our best.
Preparing to euthanize your dog with hemangiosarcoma
If you know the time is approaching when you might need to say goodbye to your sweet pup, I would like to offer two parting pieces of advice.
1. Make a deliberate effort to treasure the time you have
The one thing that everyone can do is to make the best out of the time that you have left with your dog. If he or she enjoys drives or trips to the dog park, make a point of doing these things as often as you can. Take advantage of the “pup cups” offered at your favorite coffee drive-thru window. Toss a stick or tennis ball in your backyard. Buy a kiddie pool so that your doggie can splash around in it.
It’s still risky to give your dog fatty meats like ham and bacon because they can cause pancreatitis in dogs. But the occasional cooked chicken that falls from your plate will go to good use if you have lightning-quick scavenger Labs like me!
2. Plan your goodbye ahead of time
Another helpful tip is to have a plan in place when it becomes time to say goodbye. You do not have to wait to prepare for your dog’s euthanasia until your pup takes a turn for the worse. It helps knowing what to expect and how you want to care for your furry friend’s remains.
Some dog owners choose to go to their regular vet’s office while others prefer using an in-home dog euthanasia provider like Lap of Love. In both places, you will be asked if you’d like an at-home burial (which you would perform yourself) or if you’d prefer cremation services. Having some ideas in advance will be a great help for when the time arrives.
Parting thoughts
Hemangiosarcomas are malignant tumors that occur commonly in dogs who are middle-aged or senior. My Lulu and Swiper pups were 10 and 11, respectively, when they developed their splenic tumors. These tumors can rupture, resulting in life-threatening blood loss. Hemangiosarcomas can also rapidly metastasize to other body parts. This is why a dog’s life expectancy is usually quite short once the mass has started to bleed.
Sometimes, surgery can get you some more time with your canine companion. But remember that humane euthanasia is a fair and kind option at any time. It is the last loving thing that you can do for your furry best friend when he or she has provided you with so much joy and companionship. In time, the pain and sorrow will lessen. And you will be left with lovely memories of your pup, as I have of my dear Lulu and Swiper!
Have you been faced with making the heartbreaking decision of when to euthanize your dog with hemangiosarcoma?
Please share your dog’s story below. It is a great way to honor him or her and can provide peace and comfort to other dog parents in a similar situation.
Second time I’m reading your articles on hemangiosarcoma and it doesn’t get easier.
On January 2, 2024 I took my 11yr GSDx to the emergency vet as she collapsed in the garden – like everyone else I thought she had overdone it on a walk the day before, where she had to lie down for 10mins before she could make it to the car. As I sat in the vets waiting room I came across your articles. I realise I missed so many little signs that something was seriously wrong before in the early hours of January 3 I had to make the decision to let Briar rest.
Now my almost 14yr lab x Scout has the same damn cancer – this time I found out by accident when she was having an ultrasound on her heart. Her spleen was clear in January, but come 22 October there is a 12cm mass that has metastized to her lung. This whole year her tiredness, panting, coughing were dismissed as being due to her DCM and mitral valve disease.
I’m not ready to say goodbye but I know our time is very limited and she is starting to struggle. Reading everyone else’s experiences I know I’m very fortunate to have had my girl in my life for so long (adopted from the pound 13 years ago on November 22), but to lose two dogs in one year is hard on the heart.
Rose,
My heart goes out to you. Losing two dogs in one year—and to the same cancer no less—is so heartbreaking. I hope that you are able to make some good memories in the time you have left with Scout and that you have a peaceful and beautiful goodbye when the time comes. Thinking of you! ❤️
We lost our beautiful Amy ( order collie-English Spaniel on 11/9/2024. We did not even know she had this cancer. The night before we lost her, she went from a very happy dog to a dying dog when an unknown tumor burst. The next morning we had to let her go. Six months later, our dog Jake (pit mix) was diagnosed with this same cancer. It started with cutaneous nodules and 2 small subcutaneous nodules. He had 2 surgeries to remove these. We chose oral chemo vs infusions due to the $12,000 cost vs $140/month for the oral. He was given 9 months – 18 months (although the 18 months were based on the infusions. He is now 16 months out from dx. Unfortunately, Tuesday a 6.7 splenic tumor was found. We have decided against further surgery. I am now going to contact vets who do home euthanasia, as I hope when the tumor bursts, we will be able to let him go at home.
In 2021, Marshy (a pittie) whom we had fostered as a puppy, died at the age of 8 1/2 yrs, at my friend’s home from this same cancer.. I was there when she died. It happened so fast we were not even able to get her to vet.
Dear Nancy,
I am sorry your life has been impacted by this terrible disease so many times. The plan for in-home euthanasia for Jake seems like the best choice and I hope it will offer him a peaceful passing when the time comes. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted and fill each day with joy and love. Wishing you strength to make the tough decisions ahead and praying for comfort for your heart. ♥
We had to put our lovely lab Ted to sleep on Monday. He was only 8 and he was our baby (we have his mum and was there at his birth). He vomitted once about five days before and was just ‘off’. He was quiet and ate some meals and refused others. We took him to the vets and I really thought it was going to be something like diabetes or thyroid disease but they said he was bleeding internally. They scanned but couldn’t see because if the blood so we had to collect him and take him to their ‘hospital’ for a better scan. When we collected him he had gone down considerably and could only just walk. We drive the 4 miles and by then he couldn’t walk at all. The scan confirmed a large mass on his liver and the vet said our only option was euthanasia. We had about 15 minutes with him, but he was so poorly by then. I think if he’d been at home we probably would have just lost him anyway.
We miss him so much and it seems unfair to lose him at a relatively young age. We’ve had labs all our married life (nearly 40 years) and their ends have always been ‘old age’ and usually going off their legs. It’s been a huge shock to lose a dog early.
Thank you for writing your article, it’s good to realise that we had very few options anyway and so didn’t euthanise before we had to.
Dear Mandy,
My heart aches for you with your loss of Ted. I know you would have done anything to give him more time but am grateful you could offer him a peaceful passing and ensure he didn’t have to suffer needlessly. It sounds like he lived a wonderful life with your family, and I feel certain he knew how much he was loved. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. Wishing you comfort and healing for your heart. Bless you. ♥
We lost my 11.5 year old standard poodle on Sunday 7 weeks after hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Her tumor in her abdomen appeared rapidly and had metastasized (spread) to her lung when we caught it all. This article and these comments helped me a lot – I referred to it throughout the 7 weeks several times. In the 7 weeks, she had 3 hard days. She ate breakfast and dinner every single day and actually was so motivated she awaited her fresh meals in the kitchen at my feet. We switched her to fresh ground meat (beef, turkey, and chicken) for every meal, at times I would add in egg, pumpkin, turmeric, mushroom tail powder (1x / day), Greek yogurt, peanut butter and I think that helped her quality of life. We also had her on Yunnan Baiyo recommended by the doctor (2x / day with food). She couldn’t really tolerate kibble much any more and we tried to toss it back in and it would make her vomit a little bit. She got her daily walks through those 7 weeks and tons of love – and some days were slower than others but overall her quality of life was still there. The vets warned me that just because everything is good, it could be any second where it’s not. I left for 1 hour Sunday and came home to her on the ground and she wouldn’t get up (she’s never done this before). It was heartbreaking and I knew the second that I walked through the door and she wasn’t right there that something was awfully wrong. I tried to give her a treat and she had no interest. Her feet were cold and her gums had turned white (and they were not white the day prior as it was something I checked daily). She had chased my kids around 1 hour prior for snacks and treats. Her body was very twitchy due to loss of circulation and within 2 hours we had her at an emergency vet to have her put down (she didn’t even walk into the vet and we couldn’t get someone to come to our house… her body was shutting down and I couldn’t let that continue for her, it was so awful and sad). I feel so lucky to have had her for 7 weeks, and a happy version of her. I’m heartbroken but I hope this detail can help someone in a similar situation in the future. Dogs are the best. I miss her so much.
Dear Erin,
I am so sorry for the loss of your senior girl. What a blessing she gained 7 extra weeks of happiness after her diagnosis. I can only imagine how much you miss her but am certain she knew how much she was loved. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. It helps others to know they are not alone when facing a similar situation. May the memories of all the good times you shared with your girl stay with you always. Bless you and your family. ♥
My 10.5 year old Pittie Loki was just diagnosed with Subcutaneous hemangiosarcoma, after having two small tumors removed, one on his
muzzle and one on his prepuce, and as I write this he still has the stitches
in. I have been reading all the comments of the heartbreaking stories the
pet parents have been telling here and the tears have just been rolling down my face.. Thank you so much for explaining everything, since this all came
down on us like a thunderbolt.
I adopted Loki from our local Animal Shelter 4.5 years ago when he was 6
years old and it was love at first sight. He is the sweetest, calmest and intuitive
dog – basically the best dog I have had in my lifetime .
Dear Gudrun,
My heart aches for you as you face this difficult situation with Loki. I am sorry he has received this diagnosis and understand your worry and sadness. It sounds like he is a once in a lifetime kind of pup and you were lucky to find each other when you did. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted. Wishing you both comfort and peace in the days ahead.
My German Shepherd Dog – Blitz was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma about a month ago. He had two surgeries within a week. The days following his surgeries were tough but he bounced back. He was back to his rambunctious self. About a week ago we noticed he was acting strange. It started with the lupus on his nose. For six years we kept it at bay But over night it seemed like it just went up his nose and was affecting his eyes. He became lethargic and didn’t move much. When he did we discovered the swollen belly had returned. We made a vet appointment the same day. An ultrasound and.a needle to the abdomen quickly let us know we had to make that decision I had dreaded since the day we brought him home as a puppy. Like everyone who has shared their stories I am heartbroken, lost and second guessing everything I did that led up to this point. We live in Alaska so a lot of the emergency vet services and access the vets is limited not to mention most of the modern services available in the lower 48. Blitz was the prototype GSD. Demanding, difficult, loyal, faithful and above all brave. Looking back he probably suffered so much just trying to keep up and be part of out pack. Maybe I’ll be able to give myself some grace in the coming weeks but right now I feel so much guilt and miss him dearly!
Dear Tommy,
I am so sorry for your loss of Blitz. He sounds like an amazing pup, and I am certain he knew how much he was loved. It is normal to ponder all the “what ifs” but please don’t let guilt weigh you down. You did all you could for your boy and gave him peace and freedom from his suffering. I hope with time your heart can begin to heal and the grief will fade. May Blitz’s memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
Thank you for this story as well as your comment. My 14yo dog was diagnosed with a huge tumor on his spleen and had a splenectomy not even 3 weeks ago. Today, histo confirmed its HSA and he already has metastases on his liver.
The last 3 weeks, despite everything along with the heavy surgery and 2 anesthesias have been surprisingly good. He eats again, he cuddles, he has energy and generally enjoys life again, we go on walks and he trotts through woods without a worry in the world,
Yet I am so afraid of how this will proceed and what to expect (How to expect the unexpected?). He doesnt have a spleen to bleed from anymore, but the cancer will spread get to him eventually and I have no idea how that will come about and how to notice and prepare for that – is he going to waste away? Slowly refuse food and excercise with time or suddenly collapse without energy to continue his life? Or will another mass grow somewhere and burst in between out vet visits? WIll he be okay untill the end and one day just he just wont get up or eat anymore and that will be the time to call quits? Your story, at least, showed me one version of what can be expected, so thank you for that.
I am so sorry for your loss. *hugs you tight*
I guess I can call myself lucky my boy got to grow old to 14 yo, but knowing he is in generally in good health (outside the cancer), having pulled through the surgery and anestesia perfectly and being fit and trotting through fields and woods not a week later…it gave me hope we had more time…
And yet, looking at the horrible statistics and peoples stories…I know we will probably have far less time together.
I only need to know that he is in no pain and has some kind of qualitity of life. I dont want to put him to sleep too early, but I dont want him to suffer either by not calling it at the right time. What do I do?
Hi Lea,
My heart goes out to you. It is devastating to find out that your dog has HSA. All your questions are valid and I wish I had a crystal ball so I could answer them for you. Being ok (or as ok as you can be) with the unknown is so challenging. While I don’t know what the future holds for you and your dog, I believe you will make the best decisions for him that you can with the information you have in the moment. The best advice I can give is to take it one day at a time. There is nothing wrong with deciding to let him go while he is still having good days. And there is nothing wrong with deciding to wait until he starts to decline. If possible, release yourself from any guilt over potentially picking the wrong time. There aren’t any “right” or easy answers unfortunately.
Sending big hugs as you navigate this challenging time with your beloved dog.
Hi, thank you for writing this. It is very helpful to hear others experiences. I am sadly dealing with this decision with my dog. I found out 2 days ago that she had a splenic tumor that was very large and had been bleeding substatially. It had spread so she was not a candidate for surgery. I am grateful she was able to come home with me so I can love on her, spoil her, and tell her goodbye. They gave us anti nausea meds as well as the herbal supplement you mentioned to help stop the bleeding. My question though is, can she pass peacefully with this? Or do I have to make a decision to put her down? She’s very tired but still walking and eating and loving her treats. She still wags her tail though not as much. Any thoughts you could share would be appreciated. 💛
Hi Jessica,
I am so sorry your girl has received this tragic diagnosis. I am glad you were able to bring her home where she is most comfortable and is surrounded by love. Dogs do sometimes pass peacefully from this disease, but more often than not it is not a pretty ending. At some point there will be a bleeding event, and depending on how quickly it happens, you may see trouble breathing, seizures, panic, etc. I always think it is better to let go one day too early than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. You have the ability to give your beloved pup a peaceful passing and ensure things go smoothly. It is ok to say goodbye before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is pain. I hope you can find the advice you need to make the best choice for you and your girl. Praying for comfort and peace for everyone involved.
Two nights ago, after a completely normal day, we returned home from dinner (only gone for 3 hrs) and were about to take our 3 dogs for a walk. Our 10 yo dog, Avery, didn’t jump up to go like she normally does and her ears were down. We weren’t able to coax her off the couch and when we finally did, we noticed her abdomen was distended. We took her to the emergency where they performed an ultrasound and, as so many of you here, was diagnosed with a significant splenic tumor which had partially ruptured and caused a small bleed. Since she was stable, they allowed us to take her home with a course of Yunnan Baiyo and Gabapentin for pain and said that we would need to decide by the morning. When we go home we immediately gave her the red emergency Yunnan Baiao pill and the gabapentin. Given her age, an exploratory splenectomy is not the way we want to go, but yesterday the radiologist confirmed there was no evidence of any other metastasis elsewhere, so I made an appointment with an oncologist in hopes they can provide their expert opinion on whether she thinks it could be benign (I know this is a long shot and am not in denial).
Since bringing her home and taking the prescribed medications, Avery has markedly improved in her behavior, energy level (she wants to play with her ball so badly), her abdomen has gradually softened/retracted and her gum color has significantly improved over the last 24 hrs.
I know she is a ticking time bomb, and we are weighing how we want her last days vs holding out until the oncologist can assess her. If anyone has any insight on whether we have enough time to wait on the final decision until we see the oncologist in 4 days (3 if there is a cancellation)? I don’t want to keep her from doing the things she’s loves like chasing the water hose and ball, but I also don’t want to cause the full rupture until we have made arrangements to get her immediately to the vet for our final goodbye (man it’s hard to type through tears 😭 ),
I want her last day to be the best day ever and don’t want to wait until she collapses without having played with her again.
Ido you think we have enough time given her improving condition?
Appreciate you all. My love and prayers are with all of you.
Casey
Dear Casey,
I understand your concern for Avery and am so sorry she is facing this difficult situation. I too am hoping her tumor is benign and that the oncologist had some great advice to offer. What did you find out? How are things today? Praying your sweet girl is still with you and enjoying life. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance and wishing you all the best.
The past couple of weeks have been rough, and today is no different. Our 11 1/2 year old Golden Retriever Bella was diagnosed with a splenic tumor. Similar to what I have read from others, it was the change in appetite and a collapse that sent us to our vet. They did remove her spleen along with the grapefruit sized tumor attached to it. There was no other sign of cancer on the liver or stomach, but unfortunately the biopsy on the tumor came back today, and it was and aggressive hemangiosarcoma. We don’t know how much time we have with Bella having the surgery, but she is a part of our family and we were not prepared to say goodbye, especially if there was a chance. She has been great since the surgery even though it was only a week ago, but we know our time is limited so we will spoil her and give her even more love than we always have. It will also let her 4 year old sister spend more time with her before she goes. We are opting to not get chemotherapy for her just to extend her life in a not so comfortable way. We can all spend some quality time before it’s time for her to cross that rainbow bridge and we can know we gave her the best life possible and not make her suffer. We hope it lasts for a while longer.
Dear Darrell,
I am sorry Bella has received this devastating diagnosis. I am glad her surgery was successful, and she seems to be feeling well. She is a lucky girl to have you taking such good care of her and ensuring her final days are filled with love and joy. Wishing you strength and comfort as you face the tough decisions ahead. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Good evening everyone
I wanted to send co silences to each and every one of you all who have suffered the devastating loss of your doggie.
I like many of you have a recent diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma which seemed to happen overnight!
My sweet Wybie (he’s 6) was Drinking, urinating, going outside every 30 mins, then blank staring and not wanting to come back in the house. He wouldn’t get into the bed or couch… in the am, I took his straight to the vet who thought he had gotten some THC but that wasn’t even a possibility so I wondered if he could have the flu or a cold
It was shockingly way worse… a bleeding mass on the spleen. The veterinary clinic sent me to an emergency animal hospital for surgery. Thankfully he wasn’t dehydrated and he did t lose too much blood so we went home that night. He cried for 3 nights straight and I was by his side and have been ever since- now his biopsy had the unfortunate and shocking results we had hoped to never hear.
I have changed his diet immediately to include some organic chicken and veggies, with Greek yogurt berries puréed and frozen into ice cube trays for a treat. We’ve had low sodium chicken broth pumpkin and a couple eggs scrambled in water. We will also have lean ground beef and mix with turmeric and veggies
I am beside myself. I have a hard time being away from him and going to work. I have made and kept a bed in my couch. He always slept with me or my daughter but he can’t go upstairs and jump in the bed either.
I’d like to just send some love and prayers to the author and everyone reading/experiencing this very sad and devastating disease
I plan to take him to oncology Oct 14, but I am so afraid it’s too long! I’ve ordered imyunity and will be giving him that with food as soon as it arrives♥️
Dear Shannon,
My heart goes out to you as you face the difficult days ahead with your boy. I am sorry Wybie has received this diagnosis but know you will take good care of him and ensure he is comfortable and happy. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted. Wishing you strength and peace for your heart. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Darrell, I’m so sorry about your Bella. I hope she gives you many more days and doesn’t suffer too much. Our Harper has his surgery last Monday and is going remarkably well. Although I received the new today that it us HPA. He’s gums are still pale, but his thirst and appetite impressive. What’s to walk farther and farther, making me very nervous. This is all so suddenly new and sad.
Dear Robin,
I am sorry Harper has received this difficult diagnosis. What a blessing he is still feeling well and is maintaining his quality of life. Wishing you comfort and strength as you face these emotional days ahead. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Hang in there. Sending my love to you.
Thanks for posting this information. We had to put our 10 1/2 yr boxer/mix, Toby, to sleep in July because of hemangiosarcoma. We had a diagnosis and concurrence of 2 veterinarians and an ultrasound doctor; they had done blood tests , xrays, and ultrasound imaging to determine the condition. The vets explained the situation well and it was obvious that the best option was to have Toby put down rather than to put her through an expensive surgical procedure that might only provide her with a few more weeks.
As with everybody else who has left comments here, it was a really, really hard thing to do – I kept jumping between what I knew and what I felt. I had never heard of hemangiosarcoma and the necessity to make a quick decision really stunned me.
I still search the internet for information about this disease. One of the areas that I look for is whether there are any medical tests or screening that might give the pet owner an early indication that their pet may have developed this neoplasm before it has turned into a full blown late stage tumor. So far, I found a couple of what appear to be studies in progress that are working to detect and quantify serum levels of certain miRNA biomarkers which may identify the presence of hemagionsarcoma.
Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine had a research project back in 2022-2023 to develop a Point-of-Care (PoC) device and procedure (“A Diagnostic Test for Canine Hemangiosarcoma Using Novel miRNA Biomarkers”) however, I’ve not found anything beyond this preliminary research.
Do you know of any developments in this area? How do you think it might be implemented? Now, if you get a hemangiosarcoma diagnosis, it’s basically too late to do anything that might cure the condition. If this thing was detected early do you think that there any therapies that could be applied to stop further development?
Thanx.
Dear Dave,
I am sorry for your loss of Toby. I can only imagine how difficult it was to make that emotional decision. I am not aware of any new developments in hemangiosarcoma research at this time but continue to watch for any emerging information. The point of care device studied by Cornell is probably something they hope to be able to run in the clinic, similar to a heart worm test. It would hopefully be able to give a definitive diagnosis without having to do surgery to remove the spleen and have a pathologist make the diagnosis. I am not sure it would help improve the outcome but may offer more time before quality-of-life decisions have to be made. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Wishing you all the best as you continue life’s journey.
I recently lost my beautiful lab Maverick at just 8 years old to Hemangiosarcoma. Like many others I was overwhelmed with grief losing him. Even though the local vet and emergency vet who both saw him more than once with the tell tale signs of the cancer couldn’t tell me what may be wrong with him when he experienced these episodes over the course of a year. I’m angry that they did not consider doing a simple scan. I took him to an emergency vet in Charleston and the 1st thing they dis was an ultrasound scan that found a softball size tumor on his spleen. I just feel that the first two vets are completely inexperienced and should not be able to practice. This should have been found months earlier. We listed the warning signs and they witnessed some of them themselves but had no clue what might be wrong or thought to do an ultrasound. I miss him so much I’m not sure I could go through this again.
Tim
Dear Tim,
My heart aches for you with the loss of your beloved boy. I understand your grief and know how your mind tends to run through all the “what ifs”. This cancer can be very hard to detect, especially in the early stages. It is quite possible that even if an ultrasound had been performed months earlier, the results could have been inconclusive or looked normal. Some of the symptoms of hemangiosarcoma are unspecific and could be caused by any number of conditions. I can only imagine how much you miss Maverick but am certain he knew how much he was loved. Hoping as time passes the grief will fade and your heart can begin to heal. Wishing you comfort and peace and for brighter days ahead. ♥
Hi Tim, I just had the same exact experience with my Boxer/pittie mix and in Charleston too. She went often to the vet and had no idea anything was wrong. The emergency vet found fluid in her abdomen with an ultrasound. I wished her vet would have given her an ultrasound during checkup.
Dear Kim,
My heart goes out to you with the loss of your beloved pup. Praying for comfort and peace. ♥
Like most others in the comments I found my way here after having my world shattered last week by the sudden unexpected loss of my very best friend of 11.5 years- my beloved frenchie Winston. He was my heart and soul and has been with me through every major event in my life… breakups, graduate school, my own cancer diagnosis, marriage, etc.
I got home from work and he was not interested in eating. He has been a picky eater his entire life so I made him scrambled eggs to see if that could entice him to eat something and he still wouldn’t. As I watched him I noticed his breathing seemed shallow and labored. I checked his pulse and his heart rate was high his gums seemed pale and he was just very lethargic and didn’t seem to want to move much. My husband was out of town and it was decently late at night and my kind neighbor made the 45 min drive to take him to the emergency vet. They took him back right away and the moment the ER doctor came to get us in the waiting room I knew in my gut that he was about to give me horrific news. He told me his abdomen was full of blood and he appears to have a large mass on his spleen and liver. Knowing that dogs generally tolerate spleenecotmy and chemo well my husband and I decided to give him the best shot at more time together and opted to do the surgery the next day. They supported him overnight with a blood transfusion and when I got there to see him before surgery he seemed a bit more tired than usual but for the most part acted like his normal loving self. We got to spend a lot of time together and the last thing he did before he went back to surgery was give me a big kiss and I hugged him and told him how much I love him and how he needed to be strong.
They came and got us not long after his surgery began and that’s when I knew I was probably never going to get another smooch from my precious soulmate ever again. They told me that they were able to remove the spleen which stopped the bleeding but they were unable to remove the liver mass because it was too close to the hilum. They also informed me that he had mets all through his omentum and along his diaphragm. They said they could close him up and see how he recovers knowing he would very likely bleed again very very soon due to the extensive mets or we could euthanize him while he’s still under anesthesia.
In that moment my entire world came crashing down around me. Both of those options lead to utter devastation- how can I chose between those two horrible options? Again my neighbor was with me and my husband was on FaceTime and I immediately text my friend that is an internal med vet and she told me that diaphragm mets rarely recover well and don’t often make it out of the hospital. I desperately wanted a little more time with him. I was bartering with God- please let him be okay and just come home for one more snuggle in bed and one more night staying up late reading together and one more morning coffee on the porch together. I knew the decision wasn’t about me though and that if there was even a chance that he could suffer or be in pain or afraid I could not allow him to experience that. We made the earth shattering decision to let him go while he was still under anesthesia. Thankfully I was able to spend as much time as I wanted with him while he was still sleeping under anesthesia and my husband was able to be there during FaceTime for all of it. I’m so grateful that our emergency vet has a social worker who put her arm around me and cried along with me when the time came to give him the injection. No amount of time with him would have ever been enough but I feel so shattered and robbed of time we should have had together. He was perfectly healthy and every vet who ever saw him would comment that they couldn’t believe he was 11.5 because he still looked so good! I don’t think I will ever get over the devastation that this horrible cancer has caused in my life. I feel an emptiness that I have never experienced before. I don’t know how to move forward in my life without my sweet loving Velcro boy by my side to help me get through the really awful things in life. I’m just so lost. The only thing that is helping me to get by is my belief that we will see each other again one day.
Thank you for this article- it has truly helped me to see that so many other people are feeling the exact same way I do. It’s not fair that dogs lives are so short – I pray they find some kind of early detection or vaccination to prevent it all together because no dog or owner should have to suffer through this heartache and pain.
Dear Amber,
My heart aches for you as you grieve the loss of your beloved Winston. I can only imagine how much you miss him but am certain he knew how much he was loved. I too am praying there will be a new breakthrough with this disease and allow for early detection and a more successful treatment. I hope with time your heart can begin to heal and the grief will fade. May Winston’s memory stay with you always. Bless you. ♥
We lost our chocolate lab, Moose last Friday. He was diagnosed on Wednesday with metastatic splenic hemangiosarcoma. I spent all day Thursday and Friday afternoon loving on him. On Friday his breathing was shallow and slow. He just laid in the big dog bed with me. I checked his gums and they were very light and his belly was swollen. I really wanted in home euthanasia but I called 2 places and couldn’t come that day. We opted to take him to our local vet just 2 blocks from our house. Unfortunately, he became very anxious. IM sedation did not help. He became aggressive… growling at the vet. He had never acted like that before. Finally they gave him anesthesia to calm him down before the procedure and even that didn’t keep him from struggling. I believe he was triggered by the iv port being near his toenails, but unfortunately, his passing was very traumatic and not peaceful at all. I am really struggling feeling like I betrayed him at the end. I had to lay on top of him to calm him down while the vet administered the euthanasia. The veterinarian was also pretty upset by the experience saying that this was extremely uncommon and apologized for the traumatic experience we had and and assured us that we were still making a good choice. My daughter in law is also a veterinarian and has assured me that we did the right thing. I m struggling with my journey of mourning Moose but also forgiving myself for traumatizing him at the very end of his life. Have you ever experienced this type of traumatic end of life experience?
Dear Allison,
My heart aches for you as you grieve the loss of Moose. I am so sorry his final moments were not peaceful and left you with traumatizing memories. While these instances are rare, I have definitely experienced something similar. I think every veterinarian has at least one memory of a euthanasia that left them rattled and emotional. Things just don’t always go as planned despite our best efforts. Bodies react differently and you can’t plan for all the possible complications. I do think you made the right choice for Moose and am certain that he knew how much he was loved and that your presence was a source of comfort. I hope with time the guilt and grief will fade and you can begin to allow your heart to heal. May his memory stay with you always and be a blessing in your life. ♥
We lost our beloved Fonzie 6 days ago. He was a cancer survivor and had his spleen removed over two years ago. He was doing great until the day before we were to get his teeth cleaned. I told our vet he hasn’t been eating that much over the last week and he wasn’t walking as usual. He was your typical stubborn beagle so we didn’t think much of it. We received the vets call and she was crying saying we needed to come say good bye. Fonzie had 6 tumors with one bleeding and was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. He had an ultrasound done just 7 weeks ago and it was clear. She advised us that he may not make it through the night. We were and still very are heartbroken. We have fights of guilt with the thoughts that we put fonzie down when he still was with us. The vet said that after he passed with us hugging him, that they carried him back and blood poured out of his nostrils showing that he was bleeding into his lungs. We can’t believe 6 tumors would attack his kidneys so quickly and we are still disbelief. Did we do the right thing? Our vet that we trust empirically said it was the right thing to do but our hearts are filled with guilt and pain. .
Dear Brant,
My heart aches for you with your tragic loss of Fonzie. I can only imagine how hard it was to choose to say goodbye, but I am certain it was the most loving choice. You gave your boy the peace he deserved and spared him from unnecessary suffering. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and your mind will be able to stop pondering all the “what ifs”. May Fonzie’s memory continue to be a blessing in your life. Wishing you comfort and peace.
Like others, I am here after a google search to try and find some peace in this unbearable grief. We had to put our sweet girl to rest on Sunday. She was my soul dog or my heart dog, my first dog as an adult, and I am truly so very lost without her. I woke up Sunday morning and she was laying in a different area than her usual spot (when she wasn’t in our bed). I went to make a coffee and she didn’t move an inch. This is very unlike her, she was always excited to see us in the morning. I called her name and she wouldn’t look at me and I noticed she had odd breathing patterns. It looked labored. I rushed to get the car, she perked up briefly to get in the car, and we went speeding off to the emergency vet. They rushed her to a bed, started an IV, scanned her belly, confirmed most of her vitals were normal but she was showing the beginning signs of shock. Then they found fluid in her belly. She had an X-ray, they confirmed a mass but couldn’t confirm the location. They drew fluid from her belly which was all blood. We were faced with 3 options, surgery with very little odds of full recovery, send her home on pain meds and she would likely pass away within 24 hours, or put her to rest. I shrieked into tears. This is not what we were expecting. I was hoping she had an infection, we’d be given antibiotics and we’d be on our way home to heal. After going back and forth for what feels like an eternity we made the most difficult decision I’ve ever made in my life. I’m in shock, I’m deeply saddened, I’m empty, I’m traumatized from the whole experience. Our Lucy girl was the best, most loving, most loved, sweetest soul. She did not deserve this. She was only 9 years old. We thought we had much more time. We’d do anything to rewind and get her back. We feel extremely guilty for the busy day we had on Saturday and not spending more time with her. If only we had known. I miss you beautiful girl. You’ll always be my sunshine Lucy girl.
Dear Taylor,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Lucy. I am so sorry things progressed quickly and left you facing this impossible decision without having time to process the emotions involved. I am certain Lucy knew how much she was loved and that your presence was a comfort in those final hours. May her memory be with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life. Praying for healing for your heart and for peace.
My sweet 10 year old Duke has hemangiosarcoma and it’s on his kidney. Surgery was only an exploratory option and wouldn’t have extended his life. He’s alive today and has been acting his normal self for the past few days after a diagnosis on Friday. This morning, he wouldn’t eat and threw up…I think his time earth side is coming to an end but this blog comforted me so much.
Dear Nancie,
My heart goes out to you as you face these final days with Duke. When the time comes, I pray his passing is peaceful and smooth. Wishing you comfort and strength. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
Today I had to put down my 17 year old Australian Shepard mix secondary to a splenic hemangiosarcoma. He was fine two weeks ago and suddenly he had trouble getting up one night and over the next several days his abdomen began to swell. He seemed to bounce back even trying to fetch and eat a little. The vet gave me the news, I was shocked- he wasn’t your average17 year old dog he still played fetch every day – his labs were all normal aside from the nonexistent platelets and . .The Xray showed a large collection of fluid thought to be blood in the abdomen. Isn’t there any tumor marker that could have caught this early enough where treatment maybe beneficial?
Dear Sandy,
I am so sorry for the loss of your senior guy to this tragic disease. Unfortunately, there are no screening tests available at this time to help with early detection. We desperately need something to be developed that can catch this condition in the beginning stages. I can only imagine how much your miss your boy but am glad you were with him until the very end. Praying for comfort and healing for your heart. Bless you. ♥
we had a very similar experience with our 8 year old Aussie 2 days ago. we are in absolute shock. I cannot believe it happened so quick without any warning of something so detrimental to his health. It.does not seem real. I am so sorry for your loss.
Dear Brittany,
My heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of your Aussie. I am sorry things progressed so suddenly and left you without time to truly process what was happening. Praying for comfort and peace for you and your family. Bless you.
We got Klaus during the pandemic when he was 4 years old. He came to us a little rough, having lived the first 3.5 years of his life in a garage and 6 months at a rescue who saved his life. With training, patience, and time he became the most trusting loving dude. Klaus was a German shepherd/Black Lab mix and roughly weighed 78-80 lbs consistently the almost 4.5 years with us. He came to us with a diagnosis of hip dysplasia and arthritis.
Our journey with Hemangiosarcoma began 11 days ago and ended yesterday with saying goodbye to Klaus. July 26th began as a normal day with a walk and play time at the neighborhood dog park. By that evening Klaus just seemed off. His gait was off as though he had done something to his front paw. 48 hours later we were at the vet and were prescribed a pain medication and told to take it easy. Klaus continued to worsen. The next he lost control of his back legs and back the vet the next day. Klaus was walking 75% ok once we got to the vet and again they told us to get him rest. The day after he had a huge collapse. It was late at night and he put himself against the sofa and went to sleep. The next day he was up and moving. Then Monday this week he was even better, although he was wobbly he did manage to chase birds out of a bush. By yesterday morning he could barely move and was taken to an emergency vet two hours from home. That is when we learned he was anemic from blood loss and he was bleeding internally from the Hemangiosarcoma. The google search brought me here, We had 3 options… 1. Do surgery with little success bc Klaus needed a transfusion 2. Take him home with pain meds 3. Euthanasia. We chose to put him to sleep because Klaus was in so much pain. To say we are devastated is not putting it strong enough. Klaus was so loved and we considered him our child. It’s heartbreaking to lose your baby this way.
Hugs to everyone who commented. It’s comforting to find a forum that has answers as to what happened to our Klaus.
Dear Diane,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Klaus. I am glad the comments from other readers have helped to give you some closure as you grieve your beloved boy. What a blessing you were able to offer him a peaceful passing and spare him from unnecessary suffering. Praying for healing for your heart and that you will take comfort in knowing he was well loved. Bless you. ♥
I could have nearly written this word for word myself. I just lost my German shepherd (only 8.5 years old) to hemangiosarcoma. Everything was fine the day before. She was her normal self. At 5:30am, she jumped off our bed and peed on the floor. Then she collapsed and didn’t want to move. She was panting and breathing oddly. Took her to our local vet as soon as they opened that morning. Took them some time to realize she had fluid around her heart, and once they took some off, they could see what they believed were masses. The vet told us heart masses are typically inoperable and even if they are operable, have very poor prognosis. Sent us to a specialty clinic and they confirmed this was hemangiosarcoma and a mass/masses in her heart ruptured. By that time, all we could do was have them pull some fluid off of her and hope it gave us time to spend a few hours with her. She continued to struggle to breathe, and her heart rate continued to be elevated. We spent a very tough night with her, and we had to have her put to sleep the next morning (this morning). We are in shock and also feel guilty; you always think about the “should have, could have, would have’s” in these scenarios. We miss our girl so much. The speed at which this all happened is unfathomable.
Dear Lauren,
My heart goes out to you with the recent loss of your beloved girl. I am sorry you had to make a rushed decision to say goodbye but am grateful she didn’t have to suffer needlessly. Thank you for being willing to share your story with our readers. It is comforting to others to know they are not alone. As time passes, I pray your heart can begin to heal and you are comforted knowing your pup was well loved. Wishing you peace as you continue life’s journey.
on Wednesday of last week we found out my boy has a mass on his bladder wall. scheduled for a biopsy today. Friday I took him for a lovely walk and he had ice cream and was full of life and happiness. that evening I popped out and he was sick and then what looked like he was in shocked. emergency vet trip he was bleeding in his abdomin and he had to be put to sleep. from full of life loving his day to gone from me for ever. he was only 10 and my absolute world. I don’t understand why and how so quickly
Dear Lea,
My heart aches for you with the tragic loss of your boy. I am sorry things progressed so quickly and left you having to make tough decisions without time to really process what was happening. I am certain your pup knew how much he was loved and that your presence was a comfort. May his memory be with you always. Wishing you comfort and peace.
We got Allie from a family looking to rehome her in January 2014 at the age of 9 months. She had a lot of issues and poor training. She was afraid of everyone and absolutely terrible on a leash. Lots of doggie classes and patience and love turned that very difficult girl into the wonderful dog she became. This morning, she was begging my husband for a walk. She got up to nudge him again and fell over. Not too worried at this point, my husband went to get his shoes. When he came back to her, she hadn’t moved. He woke me up and then we woke up the kids. Our emergency vet opens at 8 and we had to use a blanket to carry her to the truck as she wasn’t standing up. When we got there, the adrenaline from the car ride had her sitting up, panting and acting more “Allie-like”. Initial scans looked good and that maybe it was just a reaction to the antibiotic she just started relating to a staph infection on her lip. But, the vet’s diagnoses when we saw her made our hearts sink. Her stomach was distended and she warned us of hemangiosarcoma. We had the U/S done and it showed internal bleeding and several masses on the spleen. When given our options, none of which were good, we called the kids to come in and euthanized her there. The risk of surgery and short lifespan post surgery led us to that decision. I never thought we would come home without her. Even with terrible news, I thought we would bring her home until it was time as she gave us no warning and was acting perfectly fine up to that point. We are all in a bit of shock and are slow to process due to the unfair timing of it all.
Dear Angie,
I am so sorry for your family’s loss of Allie. It is clear she was dearly loved and a vital part of your lives. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to face that hard decision without time to truly process what was happening. What a blessing the ER vet was able to make the diagnosis and allow you to offer your sweet girl a peaceful passing. May her memory stay with you always and continue to bring you joy. Praying for comfort and peace for everyone affected by her passing. Bless you. ♥
Today was one of the worst days in my wife and I’s lives. Yesterday, our beloved 10-year-old German Sheppard, Titan, started to act outside of his usual self. Around noon, he defecated in the house, which he hadn’t done since he was a puppy. We chalked it up as a one-off and continued with our day. At dinner time, we noticed he was acting very differently. Normally, he is very excited and spins in circles when we are getting his food ready. This time he just stood there with a look of sadness on his face. It took moderate coaxing but he eventually ate his food. He had moderate hip dysplasia and a torn ligament in his knee. We had taken him for a longer-than-usual walk shortly before and just thought that he might be in pain from that. He was very calm the rest of the night as we let him out to go potty and hunkered down for the night. The next morning was when we knew something was seriously wrong. We got up and tried to get him to go outside, but he wouldn’t move at all, not even lift his head from the floor. We hoped and continued to tell ourselves that maybe he was just having severe pain in his hips and knee. We quickly carried him to the car and rushed to the nearest emergency veterinarian. Just like that, our world came crashing down. It was not his hips or knee that was bothering him; rather, he had a Visceral hemangiosarcoma on his spleen, and it had metastasized to his liver. Our poor pup had severe internal bleeding. The vet told us he would likely bleed out internally within the next 48 hours. Due to the severe case, the vet recommended humane euthanizing. Just like that, in less than 24 hours, our pup, whom we had for 10 years, went from his playful, high-energy self to suffering from severe pain. We agreed to euthanize him. Life is unfair, and he was the best dog we could have ever asked for. We are so grateful for the time we had, yet devastated by the thought that we could have done so much better for him. We love you, Titan; you are free from the pain now, my sweet boy.
Dear Mike,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Titan. I can only imagine how scared you must have been while waiting for answers at the emergency vet. You didn’t do anything wrong and even if you had rushed him to the vet the day before, the outcome may have been exactly the same. What a blessing you were able to get a diagnosis and offer your beloved pup a peaceful passing and spare him from unnecessary suffering. I am certain Titan knew how much he was loved and that your presence was a comfort. Try not to let the burden of guilt or all the “what ifs” weigh heavily on you. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and you can find peace. Bless you and your wife. ♥
Thank you for sharing your story. My dog was diagnosed on Friday 8/9/24 and we scheduled an at-home euthanasia. He has cancer attached to his kidneys and there’s nothing we can do other than give him Chinese herbs (Yunna Baiyao) to slow the bleeding and metabolizing down. It’s never a good time to put your dog down but the at-home euthanasia vet was so right when she said it may be better to put him down when he’s happy rather than suffering at an ER.
We lost our beautiful and loyal 10 year old hound mix Willa two days ago. Four out of five of our family members, including me, were out of town on the day she died. She was perfectly fine in the morning and on her midday walk with our dog walker. My husband came home from work around 6:15pm and found her lifeless on our couch. He rushed her to the emergency vet but she was already deceased by the time he got there. She may have already passed when he found her – she was unconscious but still warm and he just acted as quickly as he could. The vet told him it was most likely a ruptured undetected tumor on her spleen.
I would give anything for any of us to have been with her during her final hours, and to have had the option to prevent her suffering through euthanasia. I am haunted by the suffering she went through by herself. Our other dog, who was deeply bonded with Willa, was home and witnessed it. I don’t think I can ever forgive myself for not being with her – I was her person and I was with her for every medical event in her life, including two TPLOs and a broken leg when she was hit by a car as a 6 month old puppy. We all came home from our travels immediately but never had a chance to say goodbye to her. We are devastated beyond words.
I had never heard of hemangiosarcoma before this. It is a brutal condition and I am so sorry for everyone who has had to go through this with their beloved dogs.
Dear Erin,
My heart aches for you with your tragic loss of Willa. I understand how your mind can be overwhelmed with all the “what ifs” but please don’t let the burden of guilt weigh you down. I am certain Willa knew how much you loved her and am sure your husband’s presence in her final moments was a comfort. I hope with time the grief will begin to fade and your heart can start to heal. May her memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
I have recently received the news that my sweet senior pitbull, Dragon has a mass in her spleen, as well as her abdomen. On top of that she was diagnosed with heart disease in December. Unfortunately she’s not a good candidate to remove her spleen because of fluid build up in her heart that won’t go away with medication. I have been thinking about when the rupture happens and how traumatic it could be for her. I’ve been feeling like maybe euthanizing her before she feels pain is the best option. Give her the best few days I can and let her go when she still has her wits about her. This article definitely helped me process a bit more but some more advice is always welcomed. The level of guilt I feel is immense because she’s such a happy lady right now but it can go wrong so quickly. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
Dear Laney,
My heart goes out to you as you face these last days with your beloved pup. I agree, I would rather let go one day too early than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I know there is no amount of information or advice that will make this decision less difficult or emotional, but here is a link to another article that could be helpful: Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Ultimately, you have to trust your intuition as you know your girl better than anyone. Make the most of the time you are gifted and spoil Dragon rotten. Wishing you strength to face tomorrow and comfort for your heart. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
I lay here having a cuddles with Mr.B who collapsed suddenly at home on Thursday 20th June, he was then diagnosed with a bleeding heart (hemangiosarcoma) 21st June after emergency tests. On Saturday 22nd of June we were allowed to take him home to spoil him and keep a close close eye on any signs of deterioration (bleeding begun again) which is when we will off to the vets to well….say goodbye. I am so so sad but so grateful for the somewhat good days we have had over the last couple of days which were not atall promised and being able to prepare (mentally) to say goodnight rather than being faced with sudden death there and then last Friday. spoil your pups and remember them forever 💙
Dear Kelly,
I am sorry Mr.B is facing his last days but what a blessing you were gifted with these extra days to love on him and spend time together. I am praying for your strength and comfort as you prepare for what lies ahead. Wishing you both all the best. Bless you and your sweet boy.
This is the same story for us. The emergency vet saved our girl and we’ve had the weeken with her. What a horrific and cruel shock this cancer is 🙁
I am feeling for you
Dear Whitney,
I am sorry your girl has received this devastating diagnosis. Praying for comfort and peace for everyone involved. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Found out my 9.5 y/o rottie Tasman has a large mass on his spleen 8 weeks ago after he struggled on an uphill walk and I noticed his gums were white, he was breathing heavily and vomited. He did not collapse and seemed to mostly recover. I have opted not to do surgery due to his age and arthritis. This left me with the devastating choice of whether to put him down while he seems happy and healthy or wait till it’s an emergency situation…. or let him pass naturally. After a lot of thinking, and talking with my vet I have chosen to let his body decide when it is time to go, so long as he still has quality of life. He is still very active, though we’ve had to reduce his walk distance and speed as he can get a bit nauseous with too much exercise, and I don’t like to be too far from the car in case he collapses (which so far has never happened). My vet said that it wouldn’t be cruel or painful to let him pass naturally if the mass ruptures.. Not sure how true this is, I’ve seen some conflicting statements.. I couldn’t bring myself to put him down while he’s still enjoying life, and so far I’m very happy with that decision. It is extremely stressful to know he could go at any moment but I’m so blessed that he is still hanging in there and I have this time to cherish him (more than usual lol) and also to process the reality we are facing.
I have to say I’m so glad I didn’t jump the gun on putting him to sleep, I’ve had weeks longer than I was expecting to get with him, after what the vets told me at the initial diagnosis. All I can say is love and appreciate your doggies every day <3
Hi Sophie,
I am sorry your boy is living with this terrible disease. What a blessing you have been gifted with so much extra time together. I understand how hard it can be to make end of life decisions and I am glad you have found peace with your choice to let nature take its course. There is no one specific way to handle this type of situation and what works for one person may not work for another. Of course, Tasman’s well-being is of utmost importance and as long as he is not suffering or in pain, it is ok to give him more time. Praying for strength to face each new day. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Thank you for this article, it gave me so much support. We are currently going through a similar situation with our 10yr pit mix. I’ve had Lucy for 7.5yrs and I adopted her from a local shelter. She got me through my 20s and many life changes.
I noticed her acting a little odd, specifically panting and pale gums and we visited our vet. After blood work, X-ray, and ultrasound, we found a 4cm splenic mass. We did not perform a biopsy but it’s safe to say it’s most likely a hemangiosarcoma, without an active bleed. Lucy had a long history of mast cell tumors and benign mammory tumors, and had a complete bilateral mastectomy one year prior to her diagnosis. She was even featured in a CEU over MCTs by The Ohio State University veterinarian oncology department in 2020.
After the diagnosis, We took her home to spend the rest of her days in peace. She still eats well, gets around okay, and still goes outside to potty. Lately I’ve noticed more pot-bellied appearances and getting worn out easily. I hate to think we are getting closer to having to euthanize, but I know our time is limited. We have a plan in place when we decide it’s time.
Thank you for your encouraging article, it helps so know others have experienced similar situations.
Dear Emily,
My heart goes out to you as you spend these final days with your beloved Lucy. It sounds like she has been through a lot over the past few years but what a blessing she has you to take such good care of her. Make the most of the time you are gifted and try to find joy in each day. Wishing you all comfort and peace. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
Thank you! I found this very helpful. I had to euthanize my beautiful sweet Bailey yesterday. She was 9.5 year old and a malamute husky mix. She had been slowing down recently which I attributed to her just getting older but just a few days ago she had trouble walking and collapse but only for a few minutes and then it resolved. Then again yesterday she collapse again and began to pant heavily. I drove her up to the veterinary teaching hospital near us and they rushed her in to the ER. An ultrasound of her heart showed a pericardial effusion. I elected to do the pericardiocentisis to help figure out what was going on. Unfortunately it was blood and the vets suspected a hemangiosarcoma of the heart. I decided to humanly euthanize her so she wouldn’t suffer. Tapping her heart gave me another hour to love on her before we ended her suffering. Talk about a heart break disease. My two and six year old boys are heart broken as am I and my husband.
Dear Kelsey,
I am so sorry for your loss of Bailey. I am glad you were able to get answers quickly and offer your girl a peaceful passing. It is clear she was dearly loved, and I am certain she knew how important she was to your family. Wishing everyone comfort and peace as you grieve her absence. May her memory be a blessing in your lives. ♥
Posting for a reader:
“I am really struggling from recently having to make a rapid euthanasia decision due to this terrible cancer in my absolute best buddy of 10+ years. His name was Gryffindor… we called him Gryffin or Gryff. Like so many stories here, he was the dog who was with me through it all, and my velcro boy… always with me, whenever/wherever he was allowed to be (and sometimes even where not). I was a good mama to him. He had been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy 14 months prior and had been doing well on Vetmedin and benazepril for that time. He did have increased cough and work of breathing about 6 months ago, but I took him to our normal vet at that time, we did an x-ray, and it looked like pneumonia and not heart failure. We treated him with antibiotics and he responded well, so I didn’t make an expensive appointment with the cardiologist at that time. Fast forward – Three-ish weeks before we ended up saying goodbye, I’d again noticed signs of labored breathing and the “heart failure” cough, so got him an urgent follow up with the cardiologist. She repeated the echo and told me what I suspected – yes, his heart was worse and he was now in heart failure – and also found a new 4+cm mass on his spleen with scant abdominal fluid. Though neither was good news, the hope was that this fluid was backup from his heart failure and would respond to an increase in his medications. We maxed his Vetmedin and added Lasix and spironolactone twice per day. He responded! After 1-2 days, he seemed back to his usual self – happy, loving, quirky, by my side every second, improved breathing. My brain convinced me that, since he responded so well, we didn’t have to worry about the mass – at least for now- and would have more time with him. I did notice that his respiratory rate was still higher some nights in that next week, but always calmed when he was fully asleep (in retrospect, I wonder if he was in pain). Nevertheless, I planned to keep an eye on it over the weekend and touch base with the cardiologist when they opened on Tuesday.
That weekend, he was himself and enjoyed coming along to the park with my toddler, to Lowe’s (his favorite place), and moving around in different sleeping spots near me as I painted our garage. In hindsight, of course, he probably was slower than usual (I hesitate to say “lethargic”) on that Sunday. I don’t remember him being any different on Monday morning when I gave him his meds, his food, and kissed him as my daughter and I left for work. When I got home, however, he didn’t greet me at the door. This had happened zero times in our life together. I went upstairs and my husband (who works from home and is usually on a call at that time), asked where Gryff was, and he told me that he’d mostly been sleeping in his spot next to my side of the bed all day. He’d gone outside at the lunch break, but hadn’t touched much of his food and hadn’t come in to see him like usual. When I saw my boy, he was now actually lethargic, panting heavily, pale gums, and slightly tender/distended belly. I knew what that meant. Given his heart condition, I didn’t feel that it would do any good to rush him to the emergency vet, as he wasn’t a candidate for surgery and I didn’t want to put him through anything stressful if it wasn’t going to change the outcome. I got him to eat a carrot muffin (he gobbled it down) and slept on the floor with him that night, thinking that he likely wouldn’t make it through the night, and just loving on him as much as I could. To my surprise, he seemed slightly better in the morning – gums had regained some color, panting had slightly lessened, but he had the distended belly and a hard time getting down the stairs.
The humans in our family had plans to leave for our 10th anniversary trip the next morning. I wanted to cancel the trip (my husband decidedly did not), but I had to know for sure. I took him in. The emergency vet confirmed that he now had moderate hemoabdomen and a new scant pleural effusion and pericardial effusion. Labs were consistent with blood loss, not hepatic/renovascular congestion. We felt that we had to make a decision and, within 6 hours, Lap of Love was at our house giving him a peaceful passing. I am medical (human), so was able to enter the logical-decision-zone that day, knowing that my main goal for him was to avoid suffering given his multiple diagnoses and inevitable outcome. I didn’t want him to die without me, to die scared or in pain, or to die alone. It still killed me.
It’s now been 3 weeks and – fully recognizing that I’ve entered the guilt phase of grief – I am now questioning every nuance of that decision. Could this have been detected or delayed if I’d brought him to the cardiologist months ago? Or brought him to the ER the night before? Since his symptoms were more stable in the morning, could the bleeding have actually stopped (or perhaps experienced relative tamponade and slowed)? Could we have tried the herb to curb the bleeding and drained some of the blood in his abdomen at that point? (Would that have required sedation/anesthesia, which he wouldnt have been able to do anyway?) Could I have started the herb 10 days before when we saw the cardiologist? Would it have even made a difference at that point, since he’d already started to bleed? Did we make the decision too quickly? Could I have gotten more good days with him if we’d delayed the decision and canceled the trip, or was a more-massive bleed or painful arrhythmia inevitable (as I thought after speaking with the emergency vet and the hospice vet)? I know this is all normal grief, but I could really use a vet’s perspective. I’m not sleeping now with these replays and questions, and am definitely not feeling as certain in the compassion of the decision as I was on that day. I miss my best friend, my heart aches, and my head now screams in quiet moments that I could have done differently or earlier to affect this outcome. I thought we were doing the best and loving thing for him, but it’s only left me with guilt and more grief. The emotional costs of euthanasia are real, even if the motivation is love.
Thank you so much for the support,
Kristen”
Dear Kristen,
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Gryffin. I too have experienced the heartache of saying goodbye and I can only imagine how much you miss him. It is normal to ponder all the “what ifs” while grieving, but please don’t let the burden of guilt weigh you down. You did everything right. You made a loving choice to allow your own heart to break so that your boy could find peace and rest. I know you are wondering if you could have given him a few more quality days by intervening in some different way. You may have gained a day (or a few), but you were absolutely headed for a more massive bleed. I would rather let go one day too early than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. It is ok to say goodbye before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is pain. We tend to focus on giving our pets a good quality of life, but a peaceful passing is just as important. If you had waited any longer, it is possible that choice could have been taken from you and Gryffin could have met with a very tragic ending. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and you can take comfort knowing you gave him a wonderful life. May his memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing to you and your family. ♥
Your message was passed on to me by our amazing customer care team. I am sure they have taken good care of you and helped you with the ToeGrips you were not able to use. If you need any further assistance don’t hesitate to reach back out to them at: [email protected]
I am not sure why your comment would not post. I hope it is ok that I posted it for you. Best wishes!
I had to put my 11+ year old Bandit, lab/retriever to sleep this past week, all in 24 hours. I am so devastated and heartbroken beyond words. He was acting pretty normal, little more tired, not eating as usual. He had lost weight, which he needed but continued to lose weight. I took him to the vet on Tuesday afternoon and he had a large mass/tumor, bleeding internally with possibility of ” bleeding out’ which was told its a horrible, painful way to die. I asked if we could have just one more day and they said no, it was dire. I took him to see all his friends on Wednesday to say goodbyes. We went to the bank where they always gave him treats, Dunkin Donuts for his pup cups, our local little market where everyone knew him, came out to tell him goodbye and then to McDonald’s for chicken nuggets, plain hamburgers and French fries. He loved riding with me. The same afternoon we took him on his last ride to the vet to be put asleep. my biggest regret was not having someone come to our house. So much in 24 hours and he was gone. After reading the comments I realized how bad shape he was in but still was the same Bandit to us…so hard to get past that. We definitely didn’t want him to die a horrific. painful death at his home. We got him when he was 5 months old, a stray at the animal shelter. Absolutely beautiful solid white, best dog I’ve ever had and I’ve had great ones. When we took him to the vet after adopting him, he said “you’ve got one in a million dog’ and that was so true. He had a wonderful life, he gave us so much love and we did him. My best friend, riding buddy, porch buddy, deck buddy and yard buddy. My son trained him to stay in the yard and he always did. My son’s best friend and walking buddy, never ever needed a leash. As hard as it was to let him go, it was the right decision. I felt that after reading other people’s stories. There will never be another Bandit. We are going to bury him in the front yard in his favorite place, so he will always be home ❤️
Dear Becky,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Bandit. He sounds like a once in a lifetime kind of pup and I am sure he knew how much he was loved. Thank you for sharing his story with us. As you know, it offers comfort to others to know they are not alone when facing a similar situation. I think your plan to bury him at home in his favorite place sounds beautiful and brings tears to my eyes. Wishing you and your family peace and healing for your broken hearts. May Bandit’s memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your lives. ♥
I can’t believe I found this article and the thread of comments just hits so hard. Knowing I’m not alone in this is tragedy makes it a little more bearable.
It’s been 9 days since we had to put my yellow lab Arnold down who was just about to turn 7 on June 11th. He just had his routine vet visit and received his updated vaccines. He got a clean bill of health and we were on our way. Arnold even lost a few pounds like the vet wanted. Later that evening it was storming so I thought that was contributing to the panting but there was just more to it. He was lethargic, walking really slow, no excitement, and continued panting. I did call the emergency vet to see if I was over reacting or if I should bring him in. They told me to bring him in right away so we packed up and went. Within 10 minutes I was given the worst news I could have ever imagined and faced with what felt like an impossible decision. I had to call his grandma and grandpa at 11:30PM, tel them the news, and told them they needed to get here to say goodbye. I could not put Arnold through a surgery and knowing his quality of life would not be the same. Arnold was officially sent off to the rainbow bridge by 1:30AM and my heart still hurts. The waves of sadness are so overwhelming.
Arnold was my “soul dog”. My first dog in my 20’s that went through all of these big changes. He was my best friend. He loved balls, pillows, and Kwik Trip chicken. I feel satisfied that I know he had the best life, but I’m still heartbroken. I find myself just randomly tearing up. I’m bored without him. He was the best part of my life and now I feel lost like what am I supposed to talk about now?! We centered our entire life around him. I miss him so much and I just don’t know how to move forward without my pal. The hardest part was that I wasn’t prepared. He was too young and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I wish I had more time and that’s what makes me so angry. But I know I could not put him through surgery and have his quality of life diminish. He was the best boy and he deserved to go in peace with no pain. All 98.9 pounds laid in my lap and I held him as he took his last breath. Truly a horrific thing to go through and I do not wish this upon anyone.
Dear Sam,
My heart aches for you as you grieve the loss of your beloved pup. I know you would have done anything to give him more time, but what a blessing you were able to spare him from needless suffering and offer him a peaceful passing. I am certain Arnold knew how much you loved him and that your presence in his final moments was a source of comfort. Praying with time your heart can begin to heal. May Arnold’s memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
I hear you man, I felt like you wrote my story. I just went through this two days ago Tuesday with our beloved golden boy 10 yr. All out of nowhere after being his normal self, seems like I blinked and within 24hrs I was having to put him down. Life isn’t fair and he didn’t deserve this. I’m sorry for your loss my friend, just know that we provided them with the best lives and they knew that. 🐾
Dear Joseph,
I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to your senior guy. Thank you for offering sympathy and support to others even as you grieve his loss. Praying for healing and comfort for your heart. Bless you. ♥
In trying to find some peace with our decision, I came across your page and can’t begin to thank all of you enough for sharing your experiences. We just had to say goodbye to our beautiful, Brody, on Tuesday night soooo unexpectedly. He was only 7 and a half. We rescued him when he was around 6 months old. We believed him to be a Rhodesian Ridgeback/Black Mouth Cur mix. He was fine. Everything seemed fine. We had a wonderful weekend and he seemed normal on Monday. Tuesday morning when he woke up, I just knew something was off. He was laying in our son’s room on the rug, which he never does. He just wasn’t being his normal, silly self. As the day progressed, he became more and more lethargic. His head felt heavy in my hands, he was only laying flat on the tile floor and felt noticeably cold to the touch. He wouldn’t go outside and go to the bathroom and didn’t appear to have eaten much, if at all, that day. I called the vet and they agreed he should be seen. I brought him in and he didn’t have a fever and his physical exam seemed okay. The vet then discovered his gums were pale and she had immediate concerns about his spleen. She decided to do bloodwork, that we would receive back the next morning. She then asked if I thought his belly looked distended. I told her possibly? He was laying flat, whereas he normally lays on his side, and it was hard to tell. She took him back for bloodwork calmly and came back in the room quite frantically. She told me that after she did the bloodwork she felt fluid in his abdomen and decided to do an abdominal ultrasound. The ultrasound showed a splenic tumor that had ruptured, causing his spleen to rupture and he was actively bleeding into his abdomen. What I thought would be a routine visit with maybe leaving with some medication and heading home, became emergent. She advised he would need emergency surgery that they wouldn’t be able do until the next morning. The time was currently 6:30pm. She called some emergency vets for us and only one could do it and the surgery would be between 8-10k. I didn’t focus on the money issue at the time because I needed more answers on what this would mean. She then said they would have to remove his spleen and stop the bleeding. They would send the spleen off for testing and we would find out a week or so later if it was metastatic and malignant. Throughout all of the questions my husband and I asked her, although there was a small chance it could be benign, she felt it was more than likely malignant. I tried to do as much research as I could in that short amount of time and everything I came across led me to believe that even with the surgery, he would only have a possible few months to live. She also mentioned how critical he was and did not appear he would make it through the night, or possibly through surgery. My beautiful boy that was happy and playing the day before was just laying on the floor barely moving and could hardly stay awake. My husband and I made the hardest decision of our lives, while feeling absolutely blindsided by this horrible diagnosis. We had to say goodbye to our boy. I arrived at the vet at 5:15pm and left at 9:15pm with a collar and a leash, but most importantly a broken heart and my best friend missing. Reading all of these stories are making me feel like we made the right decision for him and didn’t want him to suffer, but the awful reality of having no time to prepare and never in a million years thinking it was something as dire as it was is what we can’t seem to come to terms with. He was always so full of energy and we had no idea that anything was wrong with him before that day. Trying to find peace with our new reality is so very hard. Thank you all again for sharing your stories. It is comforting to know that other families have walked in our same shoes. although I wish this pain on no one.
Dear Brody’s Mom,
My heart aches for you as you grieve the loss of your beloved boy. I can only imagine how much you miss him but am certain he lived a wonderful life by your side. You absolutely made the most loving choice to offer him peace and freedom from suffering. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us as it will comfort others when facing a similar situation. As time passes, I hope your heart can begin to heal and the pain will fade. May his memory live on and always be a blessing in your life. ♥
Hi Julie, i just lost my golden retriever just yesterday to hemangiosarcoma. she was fine in the morning, being her usual self. Suddenly during the evening, she didnt eat her dinner which was very unlikely of her. My parents decided to bring her to the emergency vet to see what’s going on. Turned out, there was fluids in her body and doctors said that she had an enlarged spleen and it was a high possibility that her spleen had ruptured. We had to make the hard deicision of going through with surgery or euthanising her. If we did surgery, we would need extra blood for backup incase she lost some and the surgery was quite costly too. We eventually decide that it would be better if she was put to sleep since she was going through so much pain and we didnt want her to suffer the surgery process. Ive been non stop thinking wether or not ive made the right decision. Telling your experience has definitely made me understand the sickness so much more and reassure me that my dog is doing better now. It has only been a day since ive lost her but.i keep thinking that ill never recover from this experience. Her name was luna and we had adopted her from a breeding farm that used her to breed dogs. We took her in when she was 5 years old. She passed away on 14/5/24 at 7 years old. She wasnt considered very old and i thought she would have lived for few more years. I hope that ive made the right decision. I was by her side when she got euthanised and gave her endless amount of kisses and hugs. Im still quite shocked with how random and fast it happened, luna was a friendly and kind dog that loved everyone she came across. Rest in peace luna.
Dear Stella,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Luna. I know you would have done anything to give her more time, but I am certain your choice to let go was the most loving option. It is clear your girl was dearly loved, and I am sure your presence was a comfort in her final moments. Thank you for sharing her story with us. May her memory be a blessing in your life, and I wish you all the best as you continue life’s journey.
We just put down our 10 year old Bernese Thor two days ago because of a diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma of the spleen. He had been experiencing some mobility issues due to arthritis which was normal given his age, and had had a few episodes where he would freeze up and not want to move, usually when trying to get up. He’d always recover within 5 minutes or so and return to normal. But two days ago he went to get groomed and when my husband picked him up they told him Thor was laying down and didn’t want to get up. My husband had to carry him out to his truck, and into the house when they got home. He made sure he went outside to do his business but then Thor just laid on the ground and wouldn’t get up. We carried him back in the house and he essentially didn’t move for several hours, whining intermittently. When he wouldn’t eat dinner, we knew it was serious, he had never refused food before. We called the emergency vet and they said to bring him in. We knew this wasn’t looking good so we told our four year old daughter to say goodbye/good night to Thor, and that it might be a forever goodbye. That conversation broke my heart. When we arrived at the vet they took vitals and did an EKG because they heard some abnormal beats in his heart. The vet met with us and said he was worried about an enlarged heart, or hemangiosarcoma. We proceeded with an ultrasound and chest xray and the ultrasound told us what the vet had feared. Thor had a huge mass on his spleen. The vet said we could do surgery but that was risky and would only give us another month or two at best. We knew given Thor’s age that wasn’t right for him. The other option was to euthanize, and their recommendation was to do it immediately. The tumour hadn’t ruptured yet but that was a big risk, and he also still wasn’t mobile so taking him home wasn’t really an option (he weighed 100 pounds). We made the difficult decision to say goodbye in the most humane way possible, without any further suffering for him, and with us both by his side. We were so fortunate to have him as long as we did (a double digit age for a Berner is amazing), but it would never be long enough. He was our first “child” and was the bestest dog, to say we’re devastated is an understatement. His fur brother Loki (another Bernese who is 8) is also missing him terribly. I don’t regret our decision, I’m so thankful we got to say goodbye and be with him when he passed. This is just a heartbreaking disease that comes on so suddenly, I feel for anyone who has to deal with this situation.
Dear Heather,
I am so sorry for your recent loss of Thor. I know you would have given anything to have more time with him, but I agree you made the most loving choice in setting him free from his suffering. Thank you for being willing to share your experience with us. It offers comfort to others to know they are not alone when facing a similar situation. I hope as time passes your heart will begin to heal and the grief will fade. Wishing you all peace and brighter days ahead. Bless you and your family. ♥
My black lab Lilly (12) was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma at the end of October 2023 and had her spleen and part of her liver removed in early November 2023. We were told to expect a remaining lifespan of 1-3 months since we didn’t feel it would be right to put her through chemotherapy at her age. She’s returned to relatively normal behavior (for a senior girl) and is still thrilled and jumping up and down at dinner, scarfing down treats and generally acting like a goober.
It’s now been nearly six months since her surgery, and I try to take the advice of our vet and “not count the days” but everything I’ve been reading has indicated that she’s a bit of an outlier in terms of her lifespan post-surgery. We’re monitoring her closely and other than panting more than usual (but not constant) she’s been acting pretty okay, though I know dogs hide their pain well. Reading the stories above really help. It’s hard to know when to say goodbye, but right now we’re viewing every day with her as a gift.
Dear Amanda,
I am sorry Lilly has received this tragic diagnosis, but what a blessing she is still by your side and living a good life. Make the most of each day you are gifted and spoil her rotten. Thank you for sharing her story with us as it offers other readers hope and comfort. Praying for your strength as you navigate the difficult path ahead. Bless you and your sweet girl.
A few days ago my 8 year old shepherd named Loki passed away from humane euthiasia due to Hemangiosarcoma of the heart. On Wednesday of last week he was acting strange and just didn’t seem right in the eyes, having a hard time walking, and didn’t want to eat. Eventually he did eat and the next day he seemed perfectly normal so I figured it had just been something he ate (since he loved cleaning up after our 15 month old baby and also enjoyed eating things like chocolate cake and bananas peals lol) and then in the afternoon on Friday he began having multiple collapsed episodes 10 min apart. Panting very heavy, big eyed, and just unwell. Luckily my husband was on his way home from work and once he arrived we carried Loki to my car and i drove strait to the hospital by myself because I didn’t want my 15 month old with me because I knew bad news was possible. Since I had called prior to get him on the ER list they were ready to receive him the moment we arrived, and eventually the doctor took me back to discuss what she had discovered. Through an ultrasound she found a tumor around his heart as well as blood pooling around his heart. She informed me my options of either taking a needle to draw out the blood but since it was cancer it would only fill up again so chemo or radiation would be needed, but that would only extend his life shortly and the probability of pain free would be hard to know for sure. At this point he was in pain and seeing what she saw she stated that he more than likely only had a few hours left. We dont have the money for treatment, and at the same time I just didn’t want to put him through treatment and the possibility of pain and discomfort. So I decided within 15 min of being told the news to making the choice to put him to sleep. We were only there for maybe an hour until he passed, and just as soon as I walked in with my dog, I walked out with nothing but memories. The vet team and doctors were incredible, gentle and so loving. And I’m so thankful I had brought him their in a split decision even though I had never been there before.
Loki was with me through an abusive marriage and infidelity. He was my guardian Angel through some very dark times as a young adult. And then he got to see me get married again and have a baby a few years later. He is more than a dog, but a good friend. 8 years of walks and now nothing. It was just so sudden and so fast, I couldn’t even wrap my head around it and I’m still trying to. I just stare at his bed and can’t believe he’s just not here anymore. I keep thinking maybe there was more I could do, maybe the vets were wrong, maybe I should have noticed something before. But it’s all a part of the grief. In truth, as I read more about this disease and remembering how he was acting, I realize it was a miracle that he made it to the vet in time for us to intervene and put him to sleep before the disease could take him. I am thankful I was able to be with him as he passed, just like he was there for me when I was hurting and trying to heal.
Seeing all of your stories reminds me that I’m not alone in this situation, and I’m not alone in my grief. Thank you for this article. Reading about his disease somehow helps me to understand it more and I guess helps me heal and have peace in a way.
Dear Brittany,
My heart goes out to you with your recent loss of Loki. He sounds like a once in a lifetime kind of pup. I am so sorry he endured this tragic disease, and it forced you to make the emotional choice to say goodbye without time to really process things. What a blessing you were able to be with him in those final moments and that the veterinary staff was there for you in every way. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I hope as time passes your heart can begin to heal. May Loki’s memory stay with you always and continue to bring you joy.
Hi
Reading the blog and all your stories are very helpful.
My beautiful golden retriever “Polo”has developed a splenic tumour which is most likely Hemangiosarcoma.. Polo is 7 yrs and 3 months old. He presented with lethargy, loss of appetite and bulging tummy. He had blood test, tests on fluid from the abdomen and a CT scan. The scan has shown a tumour in the spleen and some enlarged lymph nodes near liver and some fluid in the abdomen. There is no bleeding anywhere.
He is rapidly becoming more weak and eating very little. His behaviour feels slightly dissociated with us. He is still going on walks and can climb the steps.
We are in this dilemma to weather opt for surgery of removing spleen and lymph nodes to buy few more weeks or may be months or say good bye. Also although there is no bleeding yet , it sound a like it will happen eventually. It’s very difficult to know what to do. I will appreciate any advice or suggestion. Thank you.
Hi Preeti,
I am sorry Polo is facing this possible diagnosis and I understand why you are conflicted about how to proceed. I am a bit surprised that the fluid in the abdomen was not blood as this is usually the case. With hemangiosarcoma, internal bleeding is what causes the lethargy and weakness. It makes me wonder if there is something else going on and the splenic tumor is just a coincidence. I would ask your vet for clarification about the fluid that was seen in the abdomen. I am not sure there is wrong choice when it comes to treatment. It is ok to pursue surgery and would also be acceptable to choose hospice care. Trust your intuition as you know your boy better than anyone. Wishing you all the best and praying for comfort for your sweet boy.
I want to say that, while I’m incredibly sad for you all who have lost your dear pets to this horrible and sudden loss, I am extremely grateful to have found this thread. Last week, my 11 year old golden retriever/lab mix, Joe, seemed “off.” On Saturday, he perked up and went on a couple of walks and seemed on the mend from whatever had been ailing. Yesterday, he took quite a turn. He was very lethargic, head hung low, and wouldn’t stand long without laying down. Around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, we decided to take him on our back deck for some fresh air and he collapsed into a seizure. We rushed him to an emergency vet where they found abdominal bleeding, a mass on his spleen, and a spot on his liver. They gave him fluids and got his blood pressure up. We were given two options: surgery to remove the spleen and accompanying mass, as well as look at the spot on the liver, or send him home on “hospice” care with gabapentin and yunnan bayiao. After a lot of tears, we decided to proceed with the second option. We were worried that the surgery would ultimately only provide temporary relief, just prolonging the inevitable by a couple of months. Today, he’s alert, eating a lot, and has been on a couple of walks. We are trying to keep him happy and comfortable, hoping he may pass on his own, but will take him in to be put to sleep if discomfort begins to outweigh comfort. I barely slept last night trying to swallow the fact that my sweet boy is dying, who I’ve had since he was 6 weeks old, and whether or not we made the right call. Reading this blog and your all comments has given me peace in our decision, no matter how painful the pending loss is. These sweet pups are never with us long enough.
Dear Emily,
My heart goes out to you as you spend these final days with your beloved boy. What a blessing Joe is feeling better since receiving treatment and starting his medications. Make the most of the time you are gifted. Spoil him rotten and fill each day with joy and happiness. Praying for your strength and comfort when tough decisions have to be made. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Thank you so much for this post.
We lost our boy, Hugo on Friday.
At the beginning of march he was severely constipated and struggling to go to the toilet, so we took him to the vets and they kept him in, did an x ray and saw he was very constipated and needed an enema. He had that and was given meds and seemed to not be fully better, but was at least eating and toileting a little better afterwards. However, things started going down hill again the following weekend so he went back to the vets and they said he had colitis. We got new medication for this. He was still unsettled at night and a few days later we noticed he needed his anal gland expressing. Then again the same the next week. He was still unsettled in the night but seemed much more comfortable going to the toilet so we thought he was still recovering from his colitis.
On the following Saturday I checked his gums and they seemed slightly paler, but he did seem a little dehydrated so we kept giving him water and monitoring him. He still wanted to go for a walk that afternoon and seemed ok in himself
on the Monday and Tuesday he wasn’t bothered about walking a great deal, although did go out with us once or twice. this wasn’t unusual for him really, he was a homebody and loved to sleep. on wednesday i tried to take him on his favourite walk but he seemed tired so i just took him home. i spent all day frantically cleaning as no-one was home and hugo had had lots of little accidents when he had his enema so i wanted to try and get the carpets cleaned.
the next day my partner took him out and he saw everyone of his whippet friends. he was apparently so happy. we then left him with a treat to go for breakfast, we saw on the camera he disappeared for a while then appeared on his chair and just slept. i’m so worried now that he raced upstairs to look out the window and was scared he was alone. i then went to town as soon as we got home and my partner stayed with him. i wish id stayed at home.
the next day we were taking our toddler to a wildlife park and id arranged for my mum to stay with hugo. i checked his gums and they were so pale.we again thought it was dehydration and constipation, although i had my doubts, so against my better judgement i decided to go to the park. i cried when my mum got to my house and told her i was worried. we set off and my mum called within ten minutes and said hugo couldn’t bear his weight. he’d tried to get up off his chair and fell back down. we turned straight round to go home and i called the vet hospital for an urgent appointment.
i took hugo to the hospital and they kept him for what I think was an iltrasound. The vet called about three hours later to say his abdomen was full of blood and whilst they couldn’t see the source, it was likely to be tumour that had metastized to his heart as that was also surrounded by blood. our options were to do surgery to find the source, which wasnt recommended as he’d bleed out, to give him steroids which wasnt recommended, to take him to another hospital for a CT to find the source with the warning that he was gravely ill and again if they found the source of the source of the bleed hed be unlikely to survive surgery anyway, but that it was likely to be cancer and if they managed to stop the bleed, with chemo, he’d have about three months to live, or the last option was to put him to sleep. i initially said CT but my partner and i went to speak about it after seeing Hugo again and he looked so ill. we just didnt want to put him through any more operations and pain, so we opted to put him to sleep. i held him in my arms when they did it, and told him he was so so loved.
I take comfort from your post, as I know now that I made the right decision. My only concern is that for the past couple of years he would get these little blood blisters on his trunk that would eventually dry up and fall off, leaving nothing but a tiny mark. We spoke to a vet about this once last year (it was his orthopaedic vet, so perhaps they weren’t the best to ask) but they weren’t concerned. I also checked online and saw people saying it was a concern if they bled and grew large. Hugo’s never did, he didn’t actually have any for the past six months or so. I’m worried though that I should have done more about this. Could this have led to the sarcoma? Thank you
Dear Alison,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Hugo. I agree that saying goodbye was the most loving option and only way to give your sweet boy freedom from his suffering. What a blessing you were able to be with him in those last moments. I am certain your presence was a comfort and that he knew how much he was loved. I have never seen cutaneous hemangiosarcoma lesions that would dry up and fall off. I truly do not think these were related to the cancer. You did not miss anything and there was nothing you could have done differently to change the outcome. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and you can let go of the guilt as the grief fades. May Hugo’s memory stay with you always and be a source of joy in your life. Bless you. ♥
It’s been about 4 months since I lost my best friend. It all happened so fast and I can’t understand how. I felt like I made it through all the stages of grief, but things have been coming back up and I feel like I am going back through them all. Reading this (I read every single story/comment) has helped but also makes me wonder why I had never heard of it until it was too late. Maeby was 11, regular check ups, no arthritis yet, the vet said she would guess she was closer to 7. She walked twice a day, went with me wherever she was allowed, and never showed any signs anything could be wrong. We were on a road trip and she was running and playing in the creek and as normal as ever. Then that fateful next morning, she wouldn’t eat (even turned down her favorite, chicken), wouldn’t stand, and her gums were pale. We rushed to an er vet in an unfamiliar state. After tests, we were told the devastating news of a splenectic mass and had minutes to make the decision. The vet said it looked like it spread to her liver and surgery was possible but risky as she had lost a lot of blood. I am 90% sure we made the right decision to not put her through the surgery and let her go, but then I wonder if she would still be here (possibly healthy if it was benign since the vet couldn’t say it was for sure a hemangiosarcoma). I’m back at the anger stage: angry at myself for not trying more and angry at the vet because I didn’t know her and she didn’t know Maeby and she gave me the worst choice. It’s so baffling to me that she was fine the day before and literally gone 12 hours later after only knowing something was wrong for maybe 2 hours. Hugs to all you and thanks for sharing your stories.
Dear Jess,
My heart aches for you with your tragic loss of Maeby. The anger you feel is normal and unfortunately the grief process can ebb and flow and doesn’t always completely fade. What a blessing the ER vet was willing to offer you the hard truth and allow you to give your sweet girl a peaceful passing instead of something catastrophic happening while on the road. I am certain Maeby knew how much you loved her and that your presence was a comfort. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and the memories of all the good times you shared will bring you peace. Bless you. ♥
Reading these stories helped me feel less alone after losing a dog so suddenly to hemangiosarcoma. On february 6th my pup started having small nose bleeds and only when he ate. We went to the vet and a small nasal tumor was found the tip of his nose, which I knew would eventually progress and be terminal, but didn’t at all suspect how little time i had left with him. I ordered a 6-week subscription of yunnan baiyoa and had hopes for more months with my boy. (13 1/2 old lab mix). On march 8th he collapsed and vet saw the splenic tumor via xray and ultrasound and explained the likelihood of it being hemangiosarcoma which may have been the cause of the nosebleeds. The tumor seemed to reabsorb the lost blood and within hours he was pretty much back to himself, though I knew my time with him was days to weeks at that point. However, sadly on march 9th he had another episode and i took him to emergency vet to say goodbye. it was heart wrenching to go from one normal day of him rolling in the grass in the sun, enjoying meals and belly rubs and slow walks, to being gone. It was the first time in my adulthood to say goodbye to a dog; i am sure it’s hard any which way you have to say goodbye, but the quickness of it all was quite traumatic. We’re a week out now and my appetite and energy levels are slowly coming back. Me and his sister have been coping as best we can. My heart goes out to all who have lost their beloved companion so tragically and suddenly. The agony of not knowing what to do after the diagnosis is horrible; thanks to the author for creating this space to share.
Dear Ellen,
I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your beloved pup. What a blessing you shared over 13 years together. I can only imagine what wonderful memories you must have. Thank you for being willing to share your story with our readers. I pray as time passes your heart will begin to heal and wishing you comfort and peace.
Thank you so much for this article! On Feb. 19, 2024, my 14 year old Welsh Terrier, crazy Guinness, suddenly collapsed without warning. He was moaning, had vomited and his gums were white. I have a vet clinic at the end of my street who is always helping with last minute needs and they saw him immediately. An ex-ray revealed a mass near the spleen. I was shaken and alone when I was faced with the unexpected decision to either do the exploratory surgery immediately, or let him go. I appreciated the vet told me if it were her dog, at this age, she would not put him through the surgery with prognosis more than likely HMS. I knew nothing about this, and had no time to think. I’m reading so many conflicting things and feeling so guilty I didn’t try. I opted to euthanize and returned home without him in shock. All that to say my regular vet now sees white spots on my 13 yo female’s spleen, and we are going to re-ultrasound in a couple weeks. I’ve opted to start her on homeopathic remedies per a DVM I used years ago and who kept my one girl alive a year instead of the diagnosed 2-3 months. My regular vet has suggested a splenectomy if the white spots increase. Your article has really helped me plan Dr. Buzby!!! You are so kind and supportive for whatever option a person chooses. I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my anxious heart…you really helped me moving forward! God Bless you!
Dear Kathi,
Thank you for the kind words. You are so gracious! I am sorry you are facing this worrisome situation with your senior girl just a month after saying goodbye to your beloved Guinness. How are things today? Have the spots increased? Praying all is well and hoping your sweet girl is happy and healthy. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. ♥
In October of 2023, I lost my wonderful Catahoula mix Rufio to the cruel disease. He had just turned 9 the weekend before and I was too busy to celebrate, so i promised him we would go all out the upcoming weekend. He died Friday. He was perfectly fine all day, went to his canine physical therapy with no issues, and then when i got home he wouldn’t get up to greet me, and then wouldn’t take food out of my hand. I immediately rushed to the ER, where he was found to have internal bleeding in his heart, lungs and abdomen. They presumed emergency sarcoma. We biopsied, no confirmation but with the actively bleeding heart tumor, the general consensus seemed to be euthanasia ASAP. I would have done anything, spent anything, to save him and give him more time with me, but once they told me not only would he most likely not survive surgery, but that the heart tumor would kill him at some point and could not be removed like the splenic mass, and possibly cause an extremely painful and lonely death for him, my only choice was euthanasia so I could be with him and he wouldn’t be scarred or in any pain. I miss him every single day and wish I had seen earlier and maybe I could have caught it in time. He had been losing weight, but was on a diet so there was no concern. He was also a bit more relaxed and calmer, but I attributed that to a new routine and him settling in. He went to physical therapy and exercised without issue twice a week, and none of his providers suspected anything wrong. Honestly i felt like no matter what choice i made i would never forgive myself. if i did. the surgery and he died on the table, i would regret not being there in his final moments. When i euthanized him, i kept wondering “what if he would have made it? what if i could have done something to give us more time together?”.
every bet professional involved in his case and my friends in the field all
agreed on the choice i made, and stated they would do the same thing, but i don’t know if i will ever stop wondering what if i would have tried.
Dear Victoria,
My heart aches for you as you mourn the loss of your beloved Rufio. The grief you describe and pondering the “what ifs” are unfortunately a normal part of this emotional journey. I am glad you were with your boy during his final moments and am certain your presence was a comfort. Thank you for sharing his story with us as it helps others to know they are not alone. I wish you brighter days ahead and pray the memories of all the good times you shared will continue to be a blessing in your life.
I am thankful to have found your wonderful website. We lost our 7 year old black lab last Sunday after taking her to our emergency vets as she just wasn’t herself. Still eating, alert but her spark wasn’t there. They diagnosed a ruptured tumour on her spleen and she went in for emergency surgery to remove it. Whilst under, the vet called to say she had legions on her liver and gall bladder also and we decided to let her go as the prognosis was so poor. I didn’t want her to go through such major surgery and have very little time left. It has been devastating as she had never been ill before and we are all heart broken. I didn’t know anything about this disease until after we lost her so it has been a comfort to read other people’s stories and your kind words. Thank you xx
Dear Jane,
I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your beloved pup. I am glad the article offered some insight and you found comfort in the words and experiences of others. I am hopeful that as time passes your grief will fade and your heart will begin to heal. May the memories of all the good times you shared bring you joy and continue to be a blessing in your life. My deepest sympathies. ♥
Hello,
My dog, who’s a 11 year old German Shepherd had surgery back in September and has his spleen removed, one tumor was bleeding and two others were still in tact. We were given 3 months for him to live but he’s still with us today, and it’s March 14, 2024. We did not put him on chemo and decided to move forward with a holistic approach and even contacted a holistic vet. We give him Yunnan Baiyao that we buy at our local Chinese Market to when we has a bleed (bloated belly). We give him morning and night doses on a regular day and if we suspect that he’s bleeding we give him two capsules every 3 to 4 hours for 48 hours. He eats cooked greens and meats, in addition to his supplements like calcium, Milk Thistle, and Turkey Tail, Iron Supplements and other nutritional things. We are not vets but this is a testimony of mine that I feel the need to share because so many people don’t know about it and we’ve done our research. Adding, phosphorus is also a plus when they are experiencing a bleed. I know one day he will cross the rainbow bridge and every day is a blessing for us.
Hi Michelle,
This is such great information! What a blessing your sweet boy is still with you and able to enjoy life. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Wishing you all the best for many happy days ahead and keep up the good work!
So sorry to hear about everybody’s loss. This is a new kind of brutal pain.
Sunday Feburary 25, 2024 at 3:45 pm was when I lost my beautiful chow chow boy named Sunny. i adopted him when he was 3.5 years old and we had just celebrated his 14th birthday Jan 1. He died in my arms in our apt in NYC. Based on what I’m reading, I think it was gastric cancer. The last six months he seemed to get old. Chows don’t really show age…. but everything about him started to change. His usually contagious energy was draining. He was losing his balance; the graceful gait he possessed wasn’t there anymore. in December he started urinating in the house — something he never had done in the past. He started drinking a LOT of water. He stopped wanting to go out. He slept constantly. When he went to do no 2, he strained. He lost 10 pounds. He didn’t want to eat; if he ate, he would sometimes throw it back up.
Saturday, the 24th, I heard him collapse on the hardwood floor. I went to him and he growled at me when I tried to help him to his feet. So I set up camp right next to him on the floor and got ready for him to leave. When his breathing became very shallow and labored, I thought that was it … I only had minutes left with him. So I just held him and tried as best I could to keep everything calm and peaceful. After about 30 minutes, he started breathing normally again. Then he wanted to get up and he used his pee pad and went to his favorite spot in the living room, by the floor-to-ceiling window. He stayed that way all night — I woke up every hour to check on him and he was staring out the window. He finally got some sleep around 5 am.
Sunday was very painful for both of us — in different ways. I gave him 1 pain med to help him. He started labored breathing again around 3:30 pm. I was on the floor with him, holding him. I heard his stomach growl, pretty loudly, and thought he had to go no 2. Since he couldn’t walk, I put a pad to catch it if he did. Then he seemed to get restless and move around like he wanted to get up. Then he started barking and crying at the same time. Then he put his head on my leg, stared straight into my eyes and died. Just before he died, I saw his eyes darting left to right. Then my little beautiful baby was gone. I saw the life leave him through his eyes.
It’s almost been 2 weeks and I’ve just now been able to bring myself to try and find out what might have been the cause of his death — I’m pretty sure it was gastric cancer; the symptoms are spot on to what Sunny experienced. I’ll never know for sure, and don’t think I need to. He had a good, happy life. I don’t know that I could have done anything to help him — I wouldn’t have permitted surgery on him — thrusting a dog into a surgical environment when they are already traumatized and scared sounds like the worst kind of cruelty possible. It wasn’t easy or in any way romantic, but I think he at least felt safe when he passed.
Dear Daniel,
I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your senior boy. I can only imagine how difficult those last days were and am glad Sunny had you by his side. I am certain he knew how much you loved him and that your presence was a comfort. Thank you for being willing to share his story with us. May the memories of the happy times you shared bring you comfort and peace. Bless you. ♥
We found out our baby boy Diesel had hemangiosarcoma 3 weeks ago. I had rushed him to the emergency vet a week prior because he was not eating and would just stare off and was not interested in giving his 1 million kisses. However by the time we got there he was acting 100% himself and all his vitals were perfect. So we went home, and then when it hit again with him not eating we knew we needed to dig deeper. My husband was out of town for work so a couple friends met me and were there when we got the expectations it could be hemangiosarcoma but that the spleen had ruptured. We elected to do the surgery. Diesel came home and has been back to his lovable lab self. Always ready for a snuggle and feeding time is his favorite time of day. We know we want to do in home euthanasia when the time comes, so he can be comfortable and surrounded by all the people who loved him. Our biggest worry now is it will be like the first time and it will happen without warning and we will have to go to the emergency room to alleviate his pain. I just want to do right by him because he has been there for all of my worst moments over the years with a comforting cuddle and his patented million kisses a day healing treatment. The day I met him in person we both knew we were meant to be in each others life instantly. He ignored everyone else at the adoption event and I felt like he was the only dog there. He was my first dog all my own, and now we have his little sister and two cat brothers and my husband all added to our family. Diesel has been the best boy. We know our time is limited, so for now he is getting spoiled as much as possible..
Dear Cory,
My heart goes out to you as you face these last emotional days with your beloved boy. I can only imagine how hard it must be without knowing how things will progress. What a blessing the surgery was successful, and Diesel is back to living his best life. Make the most of the time you are gifted and lavish your sweet boy with love and affection. I pray there will be clear signs with plenty of time to prepare to ensure his passing is smooth and peaceful. Wishing you all strength and comfort. Bless you. ♥
Hi,
I put my best friend, Carmella to sleep on 2/23/24 after I came home and noticed she couldn’t see. 12 years old. she was fine just a few minutes before. I’m not sure what happened but reading other stories, I see the same thing happening to them. she was sick in October and vet put her on probiotics which seemed to clear up the diarrhea but she wasn’t quite as energetic as before. I just passed it off as old age and getting over her illness( she was never ill before). she still loved to go on walks and a neighbor asked 1 day why are you panting so hard? its not that hot. I just blew that off. thinking back though it was a sign about her heart murmur which she developed because of the anemia she had(not known and never had until now). Vet diagnosed her with a hemoabdomen. Blood was drawn out. diagnosed as cancer and that is probably why she went blind.
I feel guilty for having to put her to sleep even though I knew it was the best for her.
1 last thing, about a week prior to her going blind, I noticed her collar was tight, I had no idea how that happened so I just loosened it up and figured that was why she was panting so heavily and lethargic. she was better later that night and next day was when she went blind.
I didn’t know any of these signs. 😞
I love and miss her so much!
Dear Virginia,
My heart goes out to you with your recent loss of Carmella. I am so sorry her condition declined so rapidly, but grateful you were able to get her to the urgent care and offer her a peaceful goodbye. I am certain your girl knew how much she was loved and that your presence was a comfort. You absolutely made the most loving choice. I know it is easy to be weighed down by guilt when pondering all the “what ifs”. I hope with time you can let the grief fade and be comforted knowing Carmella’s life was full of joy and happiness by your side. May her memory live on and always be a blessing in your life. ♥
We’re putting our boy down tomorrow. He was pretty textbook – one of his legs started giving out when we were out on walks, and he would stop a lot and just stare at me. The vet diagnosed a splenic tumor, confirmed by ultrasound. She said that while there was no easy to know if it was malignant or benign without surgery, the rate of growth (she hadn’t felt it at his last appointment) indicated trouble. He’s 13.5, so we opted for palliative care. It’s now May 2nd. He stopped eating a week ago. I took him back to the vet and she said his lymph nodes were very enlarged and that it felt like the tumor was taking up his whole abdomen. She gave us a steroid to use for a week so that we could do a few last things with him before his euthanasia appointment. He did wonderfully up until today, and got to enjoy short walks, lots of snacks, and cuddles. I’ll miss him terribly, but it’s time to let him go before the cancer takes him.
Dear Megan,
My heart aches for you with the recent loss of your beloved boy. What a blessing you had time to spoil him a bit and then were able to offer him a peaceful passing. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. Wishing you brighter days ahead and healing for your heart. Best wishes. ♥
Hello! Our beautiful white English golden doodle Belle will be 13 on March 1st. On January 25, 2024 she was lethargic and did not want to eat in the morning. By afternoon she wouldn’t go outside or lift her head. We took her to our vet for an emergency visit & by the time we got there she couldn’t move to get out of the car. Her gums were white and stomach was hard. They took her into triage & within minutes told us she was bleeding internally. We had to make a decision on the spot whether to do surgery or let her go. Belle had a splenectomy and survived the surgery. She came home & recuperated very well. At the two week visit her stitches were removed & we were told she has hemangiosarcoma. The diagnosis is a little more complicated in that there were two tumors. The one that bled out was not malignant but there was a malignant one on her spleen which was removed with her spleen. We have not started any treatment (yet). We were offered the option of doxorubicin ( a course of five treatments) but they first want to test her heart to see if she would be able to tolerate the treatment. And disclosed that the treatments may make her feel ill with possible nausea and vomiting at home. We are so broken hearted and torn as whether or not to go forward with treatment. They estimated a possible 6-8 additional months if the treatment works otherwise we probably have two -three months with her. Today Belle is happy, walking long walks twice daily and eating her food. It’s hard to imagine that she is that sick inside. We don’t want her to suffer but not sure if we should try to extend her life with the proposed treatment and side effects. Are there any other suggestions to explore? And is the two tumor diagnosis unusual? Thank you for your time for Belle and for your amazingly informative blog and website. It has helped me tremendously during the past three weeks.
Dear Kim,
My heart goes out to you as you face this tragic diagnosis with Belle. I understand how these emotional choices can make you feel very conflicted and confused. In case you haven’t seen our other article about Hemangiosarcoma, I will post the link here: Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
It has more detailed information on treatment options and lots of great comments from other readers about their personal experiences. Many readers mention holistic therapies they have tried, and you may find some ideas to discuss with your vet. I am not sure there is really a wrong answer here and it would be ok whether you decide to pursue chemo or want to just focus on quality of life. You have to do what is best for your family and what you are most comfortable with. Trust your intuition as you know your girl better than anyone. It is fairly common for dogs to have more than one mass when this diagnosis is made, and it is not uncommon for one or more to be benign. I also encourage you to consider scheduling a consultation with an oncology specialist. That way you will be sure to have all the answers and make the best-informed decision that you can. Hoping you can find a clear path forward and praying for peace and comfort for everyone involved. Bless you and Belle. ♥
Our dog Scout was 9 on 20th January 2024.
A labradoodle mum and a working border collie dad – we were lucky to meet both his parents.
Scout was the most beautiful dog, he was 33kg & mostly black with one white paw, he became “Scout White Paw”, he loved everyone he met & would sit on anyone’s foot and lean into them for a cuddle.
Without warning last Saturday he suddenly collapsed and was unable to stand on his back legs, lifting him to the car to take him to the vets we noticed his belly was distended and felt ‘squishy’.
Weighing in at the vets he was 38kg?? After emergency tests / scan we were told there was blood in his abdomen and there was a Splenic mass.
Due to his good health, all was well with him up to Saturday morning, we opted instantly for him to have his spleen removed.
Scout remained overnight at the vet hospital to recover from the op, but he didn’t recover.
They had removed the spleen & 4.5 litres of blood from his abdomen. He just didn’t come round from that.
Scout knew my husband, myself and our daughter were with him, he wagged his tail and ever so slightly raised his head when we spoke – but sadly that was the most response we or the vets had throughout all of Saturday night / Sunday morning.
He passed away at day break on Sunday 17th March 2024 and we are completely heartbroken.
It was all so incredibly fast and I’m switching between utter grief and anger that we’ve been robbed of more time with him – such an incredibly powerful emotions that take my breath away at times.
I know it is early days, scouts toys, water bowl, leads etc are still in situ and will remain so for now. But I’m taking solace in knowing he was loved by many and he didn’t suffer with a prolonged illness, right up to Friday last week he had had lovely walks, playing in streams and through woods with his family and his doggy pals.
He will be forever missed, the best boy there ever was 💔
Dear Jeanette,
I am so sorry for your loss of Scout. He sounds like an incredible boy, and it is easy to see why he has left such a big void in your life. I wish things had turned out differently and he could have made a full recovery. But what a blessing he didn’t have to suffer needlessly, and you were able to visit with him that Saturday. Thank you for sharing his story with us. He will never be forgotten. ♥ May the memories of all the good times you shared stay with you always and be a source of joy in your lives.
Our four and a half year old Aussie was diagnosed not only with a splenic mass, but also growths on her liver. Four years old….how does this happen? We are quickly approaching having to make this heartbreaking decision, maybe even within days. She was eating, peeing and pooping all through this for the last month or so. But now, her gums are even more pale and she pants and just wants water. She’s also very spaced out.
Thanks for listening.
Dear Jamie,
My heart aches for you as you face this devastating situation with your young Aussie. While we may never know the exact cause, I can say that cancer doesn’t follow the rules and can often leave us with more questions than answers. Praying for peace and comfort for everyone involved. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
I’m so sorry. We are experiencing this right now with our 6 year old Aussie as well, his name is Chance. He went from a very energetic dog, to very lethargic in what seemed like overnight. In addition to the splenic mass, he was also found to have fluid around his heart and lungs. Did you guys experience that as well? Our vet said it was most likely related but couldn’t be sure. He’s definitely struggling more to breathe and I think we are in our last days with him, it’s so sad and so hard.
Dear Andrea,
I am so sorry Chance has received this devastating diagnosis. This cancer does have a high incidence of metastasizing to or forming on the heart. So, it is common to find fluid in the chest as well. I hope you can find the best way to ensure these final days are full of comfort and happiness for your sweet boy. Praying for your strength as you navigate this emotional path. Bless you all.
Our 3 year old Boxer-Bulldog mix, Bentley, was diagnosed yesterday. We went in to the vet 3 days ago with what we thought was a bad upper respiratory infection, he was coughing, labored breathing and not eating and lethargic. The vet did x-rays and told us poor Bentley had the worst lung infection he had ever seen, bordering on pneumonia. The infection was obscuring everything on the xray and he couldn’t tell if there was any cancer there or not. Bentley spent yesterday at the vet and with antibiotics and a diuretic things cleared up enough that we were able to see spots all over Bentley’s lungs with an xray. He has abdominal swelling and when the vet tapped the fluids it was almost pure blood. We can’t afford surgery or any further treatment, and they wouldn’t do much anyway as it’s metastasized to his lungs. We’re spending the next few days giving him snuggles and snacks (when he’ll eat them), and we’ll say goodbye on Saturday morning. The vet said there was nothing we could have done to prevent this, and that there was no “right” answer for what to do in this situation…. thanks for this post, it’s nice for a 2nd affirmation of that.
Dear Heather,
I am so sorry for your loss of Bentley. I am glad you were able to make his last days full of love and affection. I hope things went smoothly and his passing was peaceful. Praying for healing for your broken heart. May Bentley’s memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
Our darling bulldog Aurla (10 years old) became lethargic and vomited last Friday, 02nd Feb. She had just been for a walk, was her usual self and then decided half way through eating her dinner that she needed to go outside. We rushed her to our local vet and she was seen within 20 minutes. The vet carried out an ultrasound and broke our hearts to tell us that there was a massive tumour on her spleen which had spread to (at least) her liver. The tumour had ruptured and she had ‘hours to live’. We cannot fathom how normal she had been. She had been checked over in October and we were told she had a heart and lungs as healthy as a dog half her age. She was our world, so sassy and showed us no symptoms of being unwelll until it was too late. She had slowed down some more in recent months but she loved to sleep and as she was eating/drinking/engaging normally, we missed that anything was wrong until it was too late. Losing her so suddenly and abruptly has been so painful. The guilt of not knowing she had this awful disease continues to eat us up. I personally feel like I failed her. To lose her within one hour is something I can’t get my head around. If anyone has any advice on coping after losing their loved one in this way then it would be so appreciated. Thank you.
Dear Marge,
My heart aches for you with your tragic loss of Aurla. I know you would have done anything to give her more time, but you made the most loving choice to offer her peace and rest. You absolutely did not fail your sweet girl. As soon as you realized there was a problem, you acted quickly and made sure she received the medical attention she needed. I am certain she knew how much she was loved and that your presence was a comfort during her final hours. I hope with time the grief will begin to fade and your heart will start to heal. May her memory live on and continue to be a blessing in your lives.
Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
We lost our beloved Callie on Nov 4 2023. She was sitting in her chair after being outside; I heard a. “thunk” and looked up from my book snd saw her splayed out on the floor with the most terrible look on her face. I knew we were in a lot of trouble. We went immediately to the emergency vet, but there was nothing they could do, and I wanted her to die with us, her mom and dad, instead of with a bunch of strangers. We took her home; she deteriorated more on the way home, and died shortly thereafter. Within an hour we lost her. I feel the same way. I feel I failed her and it still makes me cry four-and-a-half months later. I don’t know if I’ll ever revover from it.
Dear Bruce,
My heart aches for you with your loss of Callie. I am sorry her passing was so sudden and tragic. I am certain she knew how much she was loved and that your presence was a comfort. May her memory be with you always. Bless you and your family. ♥
Marge,
I hope you see this and that it helps you. I have a dachshund in whom the vet just detected a splenic mass so I was reading up a bit to get an idea of what we could be facing. I read your story and I see myself so much in what you have written. We lost another dachshund to cancer a little over 1.5 years ago. She had previously had a mast cell tumor removed and the prognosis was actually pretty good, relatively speaking. We were at the vet’s constantly between her normal vet and the oncologist just keeping an eye on things. We thought we were being so proactive and that if any cancer did come back, we’d have a chance to fight like the first time. Unfortunately we did not. Lady (only about 9) suddenly stopped eating one day and was a little bloated. Not even a week later we had to have her euthanized because multiple vets assured me there was no long term recovery on the other side of surgery which was already a 50/50 proposition of death if undergone. I was, and sometimes still am, in shock and felt absolutely wracked with guilt. I still do sometimes because it just had to be my fault. I should’ve seen something, anything that could have changed the course of events. Logically I know that’s not the case and I know that Lady felt loved up until the very end. I don’t think she would want me to feel guilty and I don’t believe Aurla would want that for you either. Unfortunately the price we pay for the years of the most special, unique kind of love between dog and human is that we have to say goodbye. I know logically it would hurt just as much if we had warning, the only difference would be the initial shock, which has since subsided mostly. I know from an outsider perspective that you did nothing wrong, and I hope you will know that one day too, just like I now know that about myself. Idk if this helped at all or if you’ll see this. I don’t normally comment on things like this but I had to say something just in case it could help even a little bit. Just like with all loss, it will get easier, but I know that we will miss our beautiful pups until the day we join them beyond this world.
Dear Chad,
My heart goes out to you as you work through your grief over the loss of your beloved pup, Lady. Thank you for being willing to offer comfort and support to others in their time of need. I know you are facing some difficult decisions with your other Dachshund after receiving the news about a splenic mass. You are in my thoughts, and I am praying for strength and a clear path forward. Bless you. ♥
Chad, I have just seen your message and I can assure you that your empathy and kind words have helped very much, – thank you. 7 months since Aurla passed and you’re right, the shock has subsided and my head has processed it all now but my heart with forever hurt. The price we must pay for the love of our amazing dogs. Thank you again.
Dear Marge,
I am so sorry for your loss of Aurla. Praying for healing and comfort for your heart. ♥
A month ago , we were told that our fur baby had a splenic mass and she had to undergo surgery . The first few days after were rough but thereafter things seemed to be looking up as she was healing and playful again. Last Saturday morning things took a turn for the worse and on Tuesday 27/02 we had to make the painful decision of letting her rest . The grief is crippling and the guilt of not having known they were in pain shatters my heart . You are not alone in this . I am trying so hard to cope but no one ever prepared me for how much this would hurt . Sending you lots of love and if you ever need to speak , pet lover to pet lover , please reach out
Dear Chrissy,
I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your beloved girl. Thank you for being willing to reach out to others and offer support even while grieving yourself. May the memories of the good times you shared bring you comfort. Praying for healing for your heart and wishing you peace.
Thank you Chrissy. I’m so sorry for your loss and it’s comforting to know there are people like yourself that are willing to help others while they are also grieving. I’m with you – 4 weeks down the line and there’s not a day I don’t worry about the last few weeks of her life and what I could have done differently had I known she had this tumour, Ultimately I know Aurla knew I would have moved heaven and earth for her and spent our entire time together making sure she had the best life I could have possibly provided. The hardest decision was to say goodbye and yet I didn’t think twice when I knew the rupture was causing her pain. I’m sure your little one knew the same and hopefully you too find peace in the coming weeks and months ❤️
We lost our baby girl, Norah on 26 Feb 2024. She was 12 (would have been 13 in June), and I got her as a 3 month old puppy. I had taken her for a long walk on the riverside because it was a beautiful day, but in the evening she wasn’t feeling good. She didn’t eat dinner which wasn’t an immediate red flag because she could sometimes be picky. Then she got very lethargic, and wouldn’t take treats. We rushed her to the ER, expecting that she had hurt her leg on the walk. They found that her spleen had masses and suspected one had burst. When they aspirated, there was blood and it would not clot. We were told that it was likely cancer, and even when treated, she may only have weeks/months. There was also a possibility of her not making it through surgery. We decided it was time to let her go.
Letting her go was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. I question if it was the right decision all of the time. The only thing that gives me comfort is that we were able to say goodbye to her and give her all the peanut butter and kisses we could. I think about what would’ve happened if this happens while we were at work and I didn’t get to say goodbye and it makes me feel incredibly lucky.
I miss Norah every single day, and often have the realization that she is no longer here. The sadness is slowly becoming only love, and happy memories.
Thank you for writing this piece. Before the evening of Norah’s passing, I knew nothing of this awful cancer. I felt awful that I didn’t know something was wrong with her, and truly couldn’t believe she was sick because she was acting so normal just hours before. I have now learned that is so common, and have been able to let that guilt go.
Dear Kim,
My heart goes out to you with your recent loss of Norah. I am glad you were able to leave behind the unnecessary burden of guilt and focus on the wonderful memories you shared. Thank you for sharing your experience and I appreciate the kind words. May Norah’s legacy live on and be a blessing in your life. Wishing you brighter days ahead as you continue life’s journey.
I’m in this period between surgery and waiting for the inevitable too. I see so much improvement since that surgery and it’s so difficult to make amends with the fact that this could change so quickly on us. It’s hard to find joy in the time we have left with that looming over everything.
Dear Sean,
I can only imagine the emotional burden you must be under. Wishing you comfort and peace as you navigate this difficult path. Praying your pup experiences nothing but love and happiness during these last days. ♥
We adopted Paddy a choccy lab he was 6yrs old ,his previous owner didnt have time to look after him, we had him 3yrs and loved him to bits , as did our neighbours , I took him out for his usual afternoon walk on the 28th March , he ate all his tea then during the evening he was acting strange and could not settle, i went to bed and he usualy followed me up to sleep on landing , but he stayed downstairs , i thought hes a bit off maybe he will feel better in morning , how wrong i was , he refused his chew and laid on his bed then he got up and walked to his bowl only to collapse , we got him into car and took him to vet who imeadeatly save him scan to reveal he was bleeding internaly froma tumour on his spleen which she was positive it was malignant and had already spread , if he survived surgury the best we could hope for was another 2 months , so we made painful decision to euthanize he was still wagging his tail when the vet prepared him we put our heads on his and held him and he closed his eyes knowing we was there , we cried our hearts out , but he his now back home with us which helps as we have not scattered his ashes as yet he is badly missed😥
Dear David,
I just finished replying to your other comment. I hope you will see it too. Paddy was a lucky boy to have found you when he did, and it sounds like his life with you was full of love and joy. You made a selfless sacrifice to say goodbye to your beloved pup and offer him the peace and rest he deserved. May his memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
It’s been 11 days since I lost my pit mix and I can barely type this. I am not one to post anything but I just had to comment how helpful this blog has been. Nix was my child, 3 weeks from his 11th birthday. He had been slowing down over his last few months due to age and started to develop arthritis so I thought nothing further when he started acting unlike himself. He had been to the vet for bloodwork a month and a week before it happened, some values were a little off but we were told nothing to worry about just keep an eye on him. The entire week before he even started acting like his young self again, eating, playing, and being sassy. Then I woke up for work one day to him gulping water, walking funny when I let him out, his gums were drained of color, and he refused any food. We took him in not knowing what to expect. They found a mass on his spleen, belly full of blood, and a growth started on his liver as well suggesting it already spread. His blood levels were way off. We weighed the options presented but ultimately decided to say our see you laters. The what ifs and why couldn’t we catch this sooner are eating me alive, but I believe we made the right decision in the moment, as painful as it was. Will miss him every day.
Thank you everyone for helping myself and everyone else get through this garbage.
Dear Ryan,
I am sorry for your recent loss of Nix. I know you would have done anything to give him more time but agree that saying goodbye was the most loving option. Thank you for being willing to share your experience with us. Like you mentioned, it helps others to know they are not alone and offers comfort while walking this difficult path. May Nix’s memory stay with you always and be a blessing in your life. Wishing you healing and peace as you continue life’s journey.
Hi Dr. Buzby–i just happened onto this site looking up hemangiosarcoma in dogs. Last friday morning (2/2), our Golden Retriever Chauncey who would have been 14 next June, was acting oddly and had pooped in the house the night before, which had never happened. She appeared exhausted and we tried to feed her–she reluctantly ate some breakfast. It was a mystery because the day before (2/1), I had hiked her through fields and she seemed happy and was accepting treats from her friends at Orvis. THen I noticed by noon, she had trouble standing…her hind legs were unstable and I scopped her up and we went to our Vet. Her heart sounded normal and she had no temp-her gums were not pale…so we were stumped but the Vet noticed her abdomen was distended so she put Chauncey on her back and did an ultrasound. There was fluid in her abdomen and they aspirated some of it. Blood. Her spleen, normally a small smooth organ was mishapen and large. Vet said tumors–likely hemangiosarcoma — had ruptured the spleen. Spleenectomy was out of the question because of her advanced age. We decided right then and there to let her go and she passed very quietly and peacefully. Subsequent discussions with other vet friends told me these tumor and spleen rupture is a medical emergency and it all unfolds really really quickly–sometimes within minutes. But as devistating as it was, I think it unfolded just right-she was walking relatively ok and even wagged her tail at a person in the Vet lobby. Her gums were not pale and so she was not at the point of severe anemia but very close to it. THe euthanasia was done when she had no pain, probably just some discomfort, and so the gift we gave her to avoid anything serious (shock, for example) was perfectly timed. I thought I’d share our experience with others. We live in Vermont.
Dear Christopher,
I am so sorry for your loss of Chauncey. What a blessing you were able to offer her peace before things declined even further. I am certain your presence was a comfort in her final moments and that she knew how much you loved her. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. This will give hope and peace to others facing this difficult situation with their own pups. Wishing you brighter days ahead and may the memories of the good times you shared with Chauncey continue to be a blessing in your life.
I have been reading all these stories and they are just heartbreaking. We lost Hendrix our German Shepherd on February 3rd to a ruptured tumor on his spleen. One week ago today and I am still completely devastated by his loss. He was 3 months shy of his 12th birthday.. I am sharing this story because I believe there were signs even the vets may have missed. Mid December my dog walker called and said that Hendrix nose is bleeding. I rushed home took him to our vet that we’ve been going to since he was 8 weeks old. I left there believing that it could very well be a nasal tumor and they could be very aggressive, We were given Yunnan Baio and I immediately made the appt for chest ct/scan. Wonder full news that the nasal bleeding seemed to be from chronic rhinitis. I was so over the moon.., no cancer for Hendrix.. We were told to continue the Yunnan Baio until the results came back. Got a report from the Dr a week later stating that they did see a small nodule on his spleen but he didn’t feel it was to concerning,,could be due to age. Forward one month later and I wake up one morning early as I always do with Hendrix following me down stairs.. I notice that something sounds different with his breathing..,,. He won’t eat and when he did get up he was unsteady on his feet. We rushed him to the emergency vet and were told that we was bleeding internally. We were given the information about the surgery and that 2/3 of the time it’s cancer – we had the surgery holding on to the hope that maybe Hendrix was one of the lucky ones…. Two days later we brought him home awaiting the results of the biopsy. Sadly three days later we were given the news that it in fact was cancer and very aggressive. When we brought Hendrix home he was never the same… he wasn’t walking, never did walk on his own again without our assistance or the help em up harness we purchased, He also was peeing constantly, not able to hold his bladder. Hendrix was a 93 lb german shepherd and it was devastating for us to see him this way. We made the decision two days later to say good bye not wanting him to suffer. I can’t help but thinking that that spot they weren’t concerned about was possibly stage 1 of this awful disease and we might have had several more years with our boy if we had done something differently. It’s absolute torture to think that the nose bleed was a sign that should have been taken more seriously. I will forever miss my boy and will always regret not being more informed about this awful awful cancer.
Dear Dianna,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Hendrix. I can only imagine how much you miss him and know you would have done anything to give him more time. It is normal to ponder all the “what ifs” when walking the path of grief. Please know that the choices you made were good and you didn’t do anything wrong. Even if you had pursued surgery to remove the spleen when you saw that first nosebleed, if this was hemangiosarcoma, then the outcome may not have been much different. Only 29% of dogs diagnosed with this type of cancer survive one year. You made a loving choice to give your sweet boy freedom from his suffering the only way you could. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and you can find peace. May his memory continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
Hi, my vet prescribed Yunnan Baiyao for my dog’s very large splenic tumor at just one capsule a day. He is 135 pounds. I have been giving it to him once a day, as prescribed, for almost two weeks. I asked my vet about higher dosage and taking breaks and how to know when to use the red pill and she didn’t know the answers and suggested I research it. I know you don’t give medical advice, but I am seeing on other sites that the dosage for the size and condition of my dog should be more like 2 caps, 3 times a day. Do you think I am under dosing him? I am also giving him a daily iron supplement – do you think this is ok? I live in a rural area and really don’t have access to good vet care. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Sara,
I understand your concern for your big guy and think it is good you are searching for advice. He is a lucky boy to have you advocating for his health and well-being. The dose of Yunnan Baiyao you are giving does seem small to me, but since it is a supplement and not truly a medication it is hard to make specific recommendations. If your vet is ok with you increasing the dose, then I think it could be a good choice. I am not aware of any issues with giving iron in combination with the herbal supplement. As far as the red pill goes, signs to watch for are all symptoms of internal (or external) bleeding such as: shortness of breath, white/pale gums, bruising, nose bleeds, blood in the urine or feces, lethargy, etc. If you are seeing things that worry you and you think there could be an emergency trip to the vet, then give the red pill. Hoping you will never need it and wishing your boy all the best. Take care and keep up the good work!
We literally just lost our beloved bichon Caesar who just turned 12 due to this horrible cancer. One day he was fine and literally the next we were in dire straights. I can’t stop crying I miss him so much and I’m also second guessing myself if we did right by him because that little guy was awesome and deserved a longer life. Reading everyone’s experiences has helped me gain some perspective. Loving Caesar was easy losing him is absolutely hard. Wishing everyone peace in their decisions 😢😢😢😢
Dear Florence,
My heart aches for you as you grieve the loss of your beloved boy. I am certain you made the most loving choice in offering Caesar rest and freedom from his suffering. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and you can find peace. Wishing you comfort and happier days ahead as you continue along the path of life. Bless you. ♥
We discovered today that our 10 1/2 year old French Bulldog has a tumor in his spleen. He has been shaking, losing weight, having accidents in the house, and drinking bowls of water. He had bloodwork done last week and has high liver levels and low kidney/thyroid levels. They performed an abdominal ultrasound today and found the mass. Chest X-rays were then done, but they told me they weren’t able to say whether he has cancer or he doesn’t, which confuses me. We can, however, send them to a radiologist for further review. We need to decide whether to remove the spleen or not. We are torn, as we could remove it, find out it’s malignant, and he still doesn’t live much longer. However, it could also be benign. He is my third child and my shadow. I absolutely am not ready to lose him. If finances were not an option, we would do the surgery in a heartbeat. I also don’t want him to be in pain. My vet also recommended yunnan biayao if we decide against the surgery – is this a good option? My heart is just broken.
Dear Angie,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your senior guy. I will attach links to other articles with more information that could help guide you in the right direction. Yunnan Baiyao is great at helping to control the bleeding from a leaking or ruptured splenic tumor, but definitely will not slow the growth or progression of this cancerous process. If you forgo surgery and choose to only use this herbal supplement it would fall into the category of palliative care, which can be a wonderful and loving option for some dogs. I hope you can find the answers and advice you need to make a choice you can feel confident in. Wishing you all the best and praying for a positive outcome.
1. Splenic Masses in Dogs: Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
2. Yunnan Baiyao for Dogs: Help During Life-Threatening Situations
3. Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
My 10 year old chocolate lab, Java, was an exceptional Hunting Retriever. She had her AKC Master National Hall of Fame as well as HRC Grand Hunting Retriever Champion titles. I noticed she was ‘off’ in field training and took her to the vet for full evaluation a month ago. They did an exam, full blood panel, a Senior test, urine and stool checks. They called me and said her Lymes disease numbers were elevated and she was somewhat anemic and put her on Doxycycline. She continued to have good days and bad days, not eating here and there which I attributed to the Doxycycline. I ran her in a Master Test 2 days ago. She was slow moving but wagged her tail, sat at the line and watched the birds go down. She trotted to the closest bird and showed difficulty picking it up, turn and slowly walked to me with her head low. I quickly went to her, took the bird and scratched her from the test. Yesterday she seemed fine. We arrived home from our winter trip and I took both dogs for a beautiful walk in the field. .This morning Java could hardly move. When she couldn’t pee, I knew it was bad. I checked her gums and they were white. We drove her to the Emergency Vet (Easter Sunday) in Winston-Salem NC and they said she was dying. An ultrasound showed a large mass that was bleeding on her spleen. The vet said it was terminal. The whole staff was compassionate and kind. We sat with her while they put her to sleep. Java was my soul dog and went everywhere with me. She was smart, athletic, sweet and loving, not to mention cute. Lying in bed tonight and not having her tucked in beside my leg is strange. I’ve lost my best buddy but I wouldn’t want her to endure any more pain. My sweet Java…..RIP.
Dear Bonnie,
I am so sorry for your loss of Java. She sounds like a once in a lifetime kind of pup. I can only imagine how much you miss her but am so thankful you were able to be by her side even in those last moments. May her memory stay with you always and be a blessing in your life. Wishing you brighter days ahead and praying for comfort and peace. ♥
My family’s 13 year old lab Lucy was diagnosed exactly one week ago with hemangiosarcoma, and the vet advised of all the options and it was decided we would take her home and spoil her until her bad days outnumbered the good. She got anything and everything she wanted, from a happy meal burger to her own little doggy cake. We decided yesterday that it was ultimately time to make that terrible decision, but last night around midnight she passed away next to my sister who was asleep, bundled up in her comfy blankets. This was such an unexpected and painful week that it still doesn’t feel real. It still feels like I will go to my parent’s house and see her there, because she honestly seemed so fine until she suddenly wasn’t. Her dog sibling was able to see her after she passed which I hope is helpful for him in understanding.
Dear Emily,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Lucy. What a blessing her passing was peaceful, and she was comfortable in her own home. I know her absence brings sadness, but I hope with time the grief will fade and bring healing to your heart. May Lucy’s memory be with you always as you continue life’s journey.
After many happy years with our beloved shih tzu, Tobes, we are now facing a similar situation to Emily’s family with their Lucy. My heart goes out to u all Emily and to the other owners & dogs I’ve read about here. Our ‘lovely boy’, despite his arthritis, early dementia, protein allergy and an ongoing liver issue, has still had a very good quality of life up till now with lots of enjoyment & love. But last week I noticed his abdo pain episodes increasing sharply to once or twice daily – from the few short episodes per week that the vet knew about & has been treating the last year or so. So we got him straight to the surgery and after doing repeat bloods & ultrasound the vet said he has a small mass in his spleen and his gallbladder now has thickened walls & contains stones. He’s been given painkillers & an antibiotic shot and we have an appt tomorrow to discuss surgery. So now we have to make the terrible decision as to whether to put him through extensive surgery to remove both his gallbladder & spleen when there may not be a good prognosis or to let him go now while his life is still happy. I don’t feel there’s an option of letting him carry on without surgery, the end result of this being spleen/gallbladder rupture and him dying in the midst of awful suffering. Maybe u can correct me on this Julie? Reading some of the heartbreaking stories here, I guess we’re lucky (and even more so Tobes!) that we know the situation now before this happens and we have the option of giving our precious boy a peaceful pain-free death here at home with his loved ones. It is likely we’ll come to this decision and after all we knew this moment would come soon – he was 14 last October. It’s still heartbreaking and feels a bit like we’re giving up on him but it has to be about Tobes at the end of the day doesn’t it and what is best for him. Thanks Julie for sharing your experience as a vet and with your Lulu & Swiper, it’s helped a great deal
Dear Kas,
I am sorry you were faced with this difficult and emotional decision for your beloved boy. I am not sure how things unfolded but am hoping that no matter what choice was made, there was peace and comfort for everyone involved. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and for the kind words. May Tobes’ memory continue to be a blessing in your life, and I wish you brighter days ahead. ♥
Our sweet 8 year old Zoey, Rottie/German shepherd mix crossed the rainbow bridge just 3 days ago. 😢 It all came on so suddenly. She was fine at 730am, had breakfast, went outside, etc. Then suddenly around 930 my daughter noticed she was walking weird as she came in. She went to the family room and we noticed her breathing heavily. She finally layed down but continued having trouble breathing and we noticed she had a large mass on her left side. I checked her stool and saw dark red color in it. Took her to the emergency vet – we had to lift her up as she could not stand or move on her own. Dr did a quick ultrasound, found her gums were pale and low blood pressure: She told us there was a mass likely on or near her spleen that had ruptured. Her abdomen was full of fluid – likely blood from the rupture. The blood work was done and X-rays. Our options were leave her for the night (with possible blood transfusion needed) so she could have ultrasound the next morning and possibly surgery to remove the spleen. We could euthanize her. Or we could take her home, she would give pain meds and we could make decision the next morning but knowing she may not survive through the night at home. We agonized over the decision. Dr felt it was most likely malignant but of course there is always the chance the tumor was benign. But surgery is a risk – vet said not all dogs make it thru surgery,…do we spend thousands for a small hope tumor would be benign and she’ll survive? And if malignant she likely wouldn’t live much longer. Do we euthanize her so she doesn’t have to suffer? She was definitely a sick pup on Monday….Ugh. No good answer without a crystal ball. This was one of the worst days we’ve had as a family. Sadly we opted to say our goodbyes. 😪 My kids, husband and I all gave Zoey hugs and kisses through our tears before we called the Dr in. I feel guilty about the decision – deep in my heart I know it was the right decision but the what ifs are killer. We adopted her at 10 weeks old. We were her family. She was so deeply loved and we will miss her always! Wish dogs lived so much much longer….
Dear Tracy,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Zoey. I know saying goodbye was heartbreaking, but I am certain you made the most loving decision. I am sure your girl knew how much she was loved and that your presence was a comfort during her final moments. As the days go by, I pray the grief will lessen and be replaced with happiness when you think back on all the good times you shared. May Zoey’s memory stay with you always and be a blessing to you and your family. ♥
So sorry for your loss. It was a brave and humane decision to make under the most terrible of circumstances. Sending love and light to you and yours.
I lost my Lulu to this silent killer in November.
Looking back on all of this I missed a few signs a few days before diagnosis.
Lulu was my 9 year old basset hound. That only 3 years prior had both of her eyes removed due to glaucoma. The first sign that I missed was one night on our way to bed she had an accident in our room. Lucy never had accidents. She would always use the doggie door( yes even blind) to go potty. I didn’t think anything about it. Then a few days later she was being very stand offish about her food. If you have ever owned a basset hound you know that is weird. Then the episodes of vomiting started the next day and she became no longer interested in food. She would vomit every morning. She also started drinking excess water and only get up to pee and drink water. After 2 days of not eating, she wouldn’t even take peanut butter, it was off to the vet. This is when I got the bad news. She had spleen and liver involvement. I took my big blind basset home and we spent the next three days together. I had her put down the day before thanksgiving laying on her favorite spot on the couch. I do miss my lulu everyday. What a hard choice and very silent/quick killer.
Dear Adam,
I am so sorry for your loss of Lulu. What a blessing she was able to spend her final moments with you in her favorite spot on the couch. I am sure this brought her comfort and peace. May her memory stay with you always and be a source of joy in your life. Wishing you the best as you continue life’s journey.
Someone else commented that they were surprised at how quick their fur baby got sick & I have to repeat that sentiment. M J was never sick or lethargic, & Saturday night she was running around & leaping over things like normal. As per usual she went to bed with my son then about 4am she woke up & came downstairs. She was a little wobbly on her feet but it wasnt too bad then I felt her ears & they were cold, which I thought was a bit strange since she should have been in bed with my son which would have been nice & warm but I figured maybe she had slept on the floor so I laid down with her in front of the fire & fell asleep.I woke up @ 9 & she was in the computer room asleep in her bed so I got on the computer & kept an eye on her. About 30 mins later she woke up & tried to stand up but just fell, she laid there for a bit while I frantically called to get a ride to the emergency vet then she tried to stand up again. This time she made it to her feet took a step then fell again, she never got up after that. We rushed her to the emergency vet & they told us that she was bleeding from her spleen. She was so close to death that I knew I had to let her go. The doctor brought her into the room to give her the shot but she was gone right after she administered the propofol so she didnt even give her the final shot. She was just a month shy of her 13th birthday & she leaves behind a brother who has spent every night of his life with his sister. MJ was never formally diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma but her brother was diagnosed with the cutaneous form of it back in 2018 & about a yr & a half ago she had a spot similar to what he had that was removed but not biopsied so we had assumed she might have it too, we just thought she had the same from as he does which I suppose she did at first but it obviously metastasized at some point. She was such a bundle of energy so the house is so quick without her & my heart hurts from missing her but I know she had a good life & am grateful that she wasnt sick or in pain.
Dear Katherine,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of MJ. I am sure she knew how much she was loved. What a blessing you were home and able to get her to the vet quickly. I am certain your presence was a comfort during her final moments. I can only imagine how much she will be missed by you and her brother. Praying that with time your heart will begin to heal and the sadness will make way for happier days. May MJ’s memory be with you always.
Thank you for your kind words.
Yesterday I took her brother in for routine xrays because the vet heard a slight heart murmur during his recent physical & have been told that there was a mass seen on his spleen as well as a spot in his lungs. The vet suggested Yunnan Baiyao but I was unable to find any locally so I had to order it online & it wont be here until Friday so I called back the vet today & discovered that they actually carry the remedy so I went in to get a box & they had a prescrip sticker on the box with dosage instructions & oddly enough it said to give the same dosage as mentioned in Sara’s comment, 1 pill every 12 hrs. On the website I ordered it from it said for Dro’s weight (70lbs) the dosage is 2 pills 3x/day. I asked the technician to leave a message for the vet about the discrepancy but have yet to hear back from them. Had I not been unable to find the meds sooner than I did I would have not bothered to call the vet & would have simply followed the recommended dosage on the website, which I still think is more accurate than 1 pill every 12 hrs. So my question is there a possible for an overdose & if not then why does it seem as if the vets (since its more than just my own) are undermining the recommended dosage amount? Also, regarding the red pill, when MJ collapsed I couldnt get her to even smell the the meat I was trying to give her so there is absolutely no way I could have gotten her to take a pill, how exactly are you supposed to give it? I honestly had no idea I would be back here less than a month after losing my sweet girl & am not in denial about the seriousness of Dro’s condition, I just need a bit more time before making any final decisions & because he isnt exhibiting any signs of discomfort & still has a very healthy appetite I’m hoping the herbal remedy will give me that time.
Hi Katherine,
My heart goes out to you with all you have endured over the past few months. I am so sorry Dro is facing this similar situation, especially after your recent loss of MJ. I am not sure why this specific dosage was recommended. It is hard to make conclusions without any firsthand knowledge. I am hoping your vet will call you back and you can discuss the situation and ask these important questions. It is possible that with so many sources of this herbal supplement that they may come in different concentrations. Also, since it is a supplement and not an FDA regulated medication, I am not sure we really know what the overdosage potential is or what amount would have to be administered to induce negative results. The brand of Yunnan Baiyao that your vet has in the clinic may come with its own prescribing information and give recommended dosing instructions from the manufacturer that your vet is following. Ultimately, I hope you can get the answers you need and ensure your boy remains stable for as long as possible. Make the most of the time you are gifted and enjoy each day you have together. Please keep us updated on how Dro is doing. Praying for comfort for you both.
I lost my beautiful baby girl Nana almost 3 months ago to hemangiosarcoma. She was 9.5 years old, a white Siberian Husky, very healthy. She never had a medical issue, I was taking her to the vet for annual check-ups and vaccines, and the doctors told me she was healthy. We didn’t know she was sick until one Tuesday morning in October when she was almost unable to move and refused her morning treats. The evening before she was very vocal asking for treats, she ate everything and played. Also, two days before we were in a park and met our friends, she played, she ran, and everybody was telling me that I would have my baby girl for at least another 3-4 years (I was stressed out about losing her since I got her). So, that Tuesday morning came, and when I saw her I knew she was not ok, and I will lose her. I took her to the emergency and they did some exams and told me that she had a huge mass and internal bleeding. I asked them to save her, but the doctor explained to me that if they could stabilize her, they could move on to the surgery to remove the spleen, and if she survived the surgery, she would not live more than 3 months. It was not the news that I wanted to hear, and after I talked to my husband I realized that I didn’t want to see my girl suffering, so I had to put her to sleep. I stayed with her until the last minute, and I asked the doctor many times if they could save her and if she could live at least one more year. Even after almost 3 months, I am still asking myself if I did the right thing for her. Thank you for this article
Dear Andreea,
My heart aches for you with your loss of Nana. It is clear she was dearly loved, and I know you would have given anything to have more time with her. As difficult as it was, I am certain you made the right choice. You allowed your own heart to break so Nana could find peace and rest. I hope as time passes the grief will fade and it will be replaced with joy as you are reminded of all the good times you shared. May your sweet girl’s memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life.
Andreea,
We were faced with a similar situation with our Pea dog. She was two months shy of 13. She had already exhibited bruising from internal bleeding. She had started limping and whining, even seeking out a private place under our arborvites. After previously seeing my friends dog suffer and eventually collapsing and dying in his bedroom doorway, I knew I didn’t want that for her. I couldn’t see putting Pea through a spleenectomy, and then chemotherapy assuming she survived the surgery for just a few months more life. It’s been six months on February 26th. She died on national dog day. I still struggle with it, but I know we did right by her, you did too. I know our Pea had a great life and was loved to the max. Give your love to another dog in need, and cherish your memories.
Dear Stephen,
I am sorry for your loss of Pea. What a blessing you were able to offer her a peaceful goodbye and spare her from unnecessary suffering and pain. Thank you for sharing your story and being willing to encourage others. Wishing you brighter days ahead and may Pea’s memory be with you always.
Our 12 year old lovely dog had surgery on october 2023, a nodule on the leg, the pre-surgery blood test showed increased bilirrubin, so ultrasound was performed, revealing something in the liver. After the surgery ( the biopsy revealed a soft tissue carcinoma), we performed a tomography that showed several nodules in all the hepatic lobes, our veterinarian told us it was with a great certainty a malignant tumour, with no options of surgery. He offered us to perform a biopsy to know exactly what type of tumour ( hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma…) but knowing chemotherapy without surgery woudn´t make a great difference, we chose not to stress her with another surgery to perform a dangerous biopsy and give her the best life possible the time she could stay with us…sadly 11 weeks after the leg surgery, she started with internal bleeding, confirmed by ultrasound, it was a really strong dog, with lots of exercise, mountain and summits, so I think it helped her to recover from several episodes to play again, walk and eat her treats. But the episodes along the week got worse, the veterinarian offered us antii-nflammatory for the pain and the day before we put her to sleep, buprenorfin that I think that was a mistake, because the fatal day, she had another bleeding episode ( between episodes she was good, that made the decision very difficult), this time she was worse, and I think when we administered the buprenorfin, it was a big mistake, because she got even worse ( I´ve been reading and probably the vasodilator effect could be the cause). A veterinarian came home to put her to sleep, it was the most painful decision I´ve ever made, but she couldn´t even stand by herself…it tortures me the idea that buprenorfin precipitated the fatal result, she had 11 weeks of joy and happyness, without needles and hospitalizations or surgeries, but it´s unavoidable to think if the outcoume could have been different if we had administered chemotherapy or if we didn´t administer buprenorfin that day. Perhaps the buprenorfin didn´t play a role, perhaps it did, the veterinarian who came home told us that any moment she could pass away suffering, because of the bleeding, so we took the humane choice .That´s our experience, it´s been 2 weeks and the family won´t ever be the same without our furry friend.
Dear Diego,
I am sorry for the recent loss of your beloved pup. I know you would have done anything to give her more time and I can only imagine how much she will be missed. It is normal to ponder all the “what ifs” while grieving but please don’t let this trap you in a circle of guilt and pain. The buprenorphine was needed to control pain and suffering. Without it your girl may have gained an extra day or two (and maybe not) but at what cost to her quality of life? Hospice care is a delicate balance of offering relief and peace while waiting for the final moments to arrive. A fatal bleed is unfortunately how hemangiosarcoma progresses with or without intervention. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and you can allow yourself some grace. May your girl’s memory stay with you always and be a blessing in your life.
I really appreciate your words, thank you.
I feel absolutely horrible, my dog snowball was a staff cross border collie 12 years old all his brothers and sister from the same litter as him passed away years ago due to there back legs going and a few passed away from cancer, one vet told me years ago he will only live till he’s 7 years old with how big he was he said it would be his leg that would give way, at 9 years old he went back for his booster and the vet was shocked he was still going strong he said his legs will definitely go first on him, I then started taking him to another vet as I was sick of being told he should be dead by now, a month ago I noticed snowballs belly was getting larger he always had a big belly he wasn’t overweight just always had weight to his stomach I new I should of took him to the vet’s straight away when I felt a large hard mass I new it was a high possibility it would be cancer so yes i did avoid going not because I’m selfish or because I’d rather him suffer but because i new at his age he was already blind and deaf he was slowly losing control of his bowels I new it would mean the worst, he went to have his booster done but the vet said scan his stomach first, she found two massive masses both were huge but one a lot bigger both were attached together and both on his spleen one went all the way under his rib cage, his stomach was getting bigger and bigger everyday they showed more at night, his visit was on Saturday just gone she said it’s an emergency as they could rupture and kill him at any point she recommended surgery, she said he would go in Monday morning have bloods and then an x-ray that showed it was in his lungs I’d have to put him to sleep there straight away she said if he passes the x-ray would do the surgery there and then but once they opened him up if cancer was present all over they would stitch him back up keep him under anesthetic and I’d have to put him to sleep there straight away, if he passed all that had the masses removed and his spleen they would send it off for a biopsy if cancer was confirmed it would result in death at home within 2-3 months but she said he’d only have 1-2 months at most so I’d have to have him put to sleep once he went down hill, I mentioned instead of putting him through all that as the outcome wasn’t great I said could they not use a needle go take a sample through his stomach she said it was possible but moment they did that he would start to bleed as it would cause the masses to rupture, my partner mentioned putting him to sleep she wasn’t keen on the idea but I said if he was your dog would you do the operation or put him to sleep she said it’s hard to say even though she was pushing for surgery, I made the hardest decision ever to put him to sleep Monday just gone and i hate myself for it because it wasn’t time, when they mentioned the operation she kept saying is he off his food is he losing weight is he coughing no he was eating drinking still being snowball yes he grunted when he lied on his belly funny but that was it, for months snowball was always hungry he’d sleep all day wake up have his tea then wait for more and more food no matter how much I fed him he was never full I thought it was due to being an old boy, I found a bit online about cushung disease but he only had the pot belly and the constant hunger, or was he so hungry because he had that or was it the tumors needing more food or was there a chance that wasn’t cancerous at all, he stopped pooing two days before he was put to sleep, I regret putting him to sleep badly I wish I went through with the operation but that would ment no food that day and if they said he couldn’t be saved and put him to sleep my face wouldn’t of been the last he saw it would of been the vets, I wanted to keep hold of him longer I wanted to wait until I new he was going downhill but everyone kept rushing me telling me it’s an emergency they could rupture at any point and it would be a horrible painful death for him, the vet said he was days if not weeks from rupturing. I took my happy healthy snowball to the vet’s he was scared he new what we were doing to him he cried when they inserted the canuler then just before they inserted the anesthetic he started to whimper he new I was killing him I held his head and sang you are my sunshine my only sunshine as I slowly lowered him to the floor he died instantly, a vet assistant said dogs that pass really quickly we’re not long from death, i hate myself for what I’ve done I didn’t give him chance I didn’t wait longer I ended his life before he was ready and I’ll never ever forgive myself. I’ve not eaten for 3 day’s and have no intention of doing so because of what i did to him, I should of waited longer and I should of done it at home he hated the vets i should of never ever done it there. I always new eventually I’d have to go through with putting a dog to sleep and I always new he’d be the first one out of the older 3 he was the second eldest but I alway’s said I’d know when he’s ready to leave I new he would look at me to tell me it’s time to leave I new even that would be hard but I would of known it was his time to leave but putting him to sleep before all that just incase they ruptured was the worst thing I’ve ever done I killed my dog before he was ready
Dear Rachael,
My heart aches for you with your loss of Snowball. It is clear he was dearly loved, and I can only imagine how much you miss him. You made the right choice even though I know it is hard to see that through your grief. You allowed your own heart to break so that your sweet boy could avoid unnecessary suffering. It is ok to say goodbye while there is still some joy, before all happiness is gone, and the only thing that remains is pain. Your decision to let go was the ultimate act of selfless love and one I would have made for my own dog if in a similar situation. It is normal to ponder all the “what ifs”, but please don’t continue to carry the burden of guilt. I pray with time your heart will begin to heal and you can allow yourself some grace. Please make sure you are taking care of yourself. Snowball wouldn’t want his passing to be the end of your life as well. May his memory live on and be with you always. Wishing you comfort and peace. ♥
I first want to say thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences, and my sympathy for your losses. We are on the verge of losing our second dog in a row to cancer, at too young an age.
We lost our 8yo Boxer to mast cell tumors 7 years ago. We recently came to face this specific cancer with our 6yo German Shorthair Pointer, Fritz. He didn’t display many signs, but we knew something wasn’t right a few mornings ago when he wasn’t his usual “highly-active” self running around the farm. His belly appeared swollen, and he had no interest in eating. We had concerns of bloat, so we didn’t delay getting him to an emergency vet; not an easy task two days after Christmas.
We unfortunately learned he had a mass on his spleen that had ruptured and was bleeding internally. Surgery to remove his spleen and the tumor was recommended, and it would allow for discovery of any additional tumors or lesions. The surgery was performed the same day and he came through it strong with no signs of spread to his heart or liver. The Dr. said he’s probably the healthiest and strongest dog she’s done a splenectomy on. He lost over 3 liters of blood, but his BP and cell counts stabilized post surgery without a transfusion! Fritz the all star patient came home this morning, he’s resting and getting all our love, while we wait anxiously for results from testing the tumor.
Like any concerned dog parent I have researched the disease, this article provided insight and lined up with our experience so far. We are clinging to hope the tumor is cutaneous, but we know the chances may be low. I don’t think we’ll do chemotherapy if it would reduce his quality of life and only delay the outcome a few months. I am curious if in the time since this article was first shared if there are any insights into developments in treatment like eBAT, or alternative medicine like Yunnan Bai Yao? I read about both in my research, and saw reference to the herb in the comments. We will discuss this with the oncologist once we have results.
Hi Brian,
I understand why you are concerned for Fritz and am praying the results from the pathologist are favorable. I will attach links to other articles with more information (including the use of Yunnan Baiyao). Feel free to keep us updated as things progress. Hoping your sweet boy has many happy days ahead. Wishing you all the best.
1. Splenic Masses in Dogs: Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
2. Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
I really appreciate your response and the information shared overall as it has helped us process this.
We unfortunately got the results back and they are not good. He has probably 2-3 months. This is an awful disease.
Dear Brian,
I am so sorry the pathology results were not favorable for Fritz. My heart aches for you as you navigate this difficult path and face some hard decisions in the days ahead. Wishing you strength and comfort. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
Thank you for this blog. I’m crying reading all of the stories as I sit waiting on pathology reports for my sweet miniature schnauzer, Schatzi (age 9). A week ago, she vomited and started having a strange abdominal breathing pattern. To the ER we went where she had hemoabdomen from a ruptured tumor on her spleen. She was only mildly anemic and had no signs of mets on xrays so we opted for surgery. Now, we wait. She is recovering well, wants desperately to jump and play but still on activity restriction. It seems impossible she could be so vibrant but potentially have a fatal cancer growing that could take her life in weeks or months. We were also told 85% chance this is hemangiosarcoma so we are treasuring every moment of time while still holding a bit of hope it could be benign. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories. We are hoping for the best but bracing for the worst and feeling comforted knowing we are not alone navigating this horrible disease.
Dear Stephanie,
I am sorry you are facing this unknown future with Schatzi. What a blessing the surgery was successful, and she has regained her energy and strength. I too am holding on to hope that her pathology results will be favorable. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Wishing you and your sweet girl all the best.
We just got news that it is Hemangiosarcoma. We are grateful we have time to prepare emotionally for the time ahead while she still seems relatively healthy. For now, she is playful, happy and blissfully unaware of her disease and prognosis. Bless you for creating this space for people to share their experiences.
Dear Stephanie,
I am so sorry Schatzi has received this devastating diagnosis. Wishing you strength and comfort as you continue down this tough path. Make the most of each day you are gifted and try to focus on the happy memories you share. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
I’m coming back to this “tab” on my phone’s browser two days after saying goodbye to the bestest dog, Bear. I have had this tab open for the last two months since Bear had surgery to remove his spleen. his cancer hadn’t spread to the lungs or other parts, so the surgery got us a few more weeks of a really happy pup. But we knew were were not going to seek treatment for thus specific cancer and were wondering how we’d know when to let go. This article – and the community that has developed around it – has been instrumental to our coming to terms with losing Bear. On Saturday the 23rd we went for a long walk with Deb (the crazier, wilder of our two dogs). He ate great food, as this was one of the great tips we had gotten from this post. He played chasing Deb around the house. And then Sunday, Christmas Eve, he woke up not able to do any of those things. His gums were white, and he collapsed on the carpet after going outside, not able to eat or get to his favorite spot on the couch. And, so, Christmas Eve for us was full of tears, lots of them, lots of goodbyes, and then going to Massachusetts Vet Referral Hospital. I can’t say enough good things about how they treated us and Bear. It all still seems surreal to us, since there was really an overnight change in behavior. I can’t thank you all enough for this community. I’m probably keeping this tab open a little longer. 💜
Dear MT,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Bear. I am sorry his condition declined so rapidly and had you making tough decisions on Christmas Eve. What a blessing the team at the vet hospital was so comforting and helped bring some peace to an emotional situation. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Please don’t feel like you can’t reach out again just to get your thoughts typed out and work through your feelings. May Bear’s memory stay with you always and be a source of joy in your life. Wising you and Deb the best for many happy days ahead. ♥
I just lost my best bud Bentley, a Golden Retriever, to this awful cancer. He was only 7 years old.
A few weeks prior to diagnosis he had an intermittent cough, not unlike Kennel cough. Then one day I came home from work and he had vomited multiple times and was very lethargic and wouldn’t eat. I took him to the vet Saturday morning and after x-rays and ultrasounds they found he had significant pericardial effusion most likely due to a hemangiosarcoma. His cough was most likely beginning stages of heart failure. My choices were either emergency surgery/chemo or euthanasia. The prognosis was not good.
I was beyond shocked and heartbroken. I knew without draining his pericardial sac he would continue to deteriorate rapidly But the vet was confident that in doing so would only buy us hours at worst and weeks at best. I was told any sort of significant recovery would be unlikely as the tumor would just bleed again or has already spread.
So I took my pup home and the rest of the afternoon the family said their goodbyes. It was extremely difficulty because he couldn’t play, or eat, and could only cuddle. I would’ve given him a whole Pets Smart worth of treats if he could eat them. That night I made the agonizing, impossible, heartbreaking decision to put him to sleep with his head in my lap – just like how I brought him home as a pup.
I’m still struggling with that decision now. Should I have spent $10, $20, $30 thousand dollars on surgery and treatments? Would it have mattered? Would it have bought an extra week or month and would that have been worth it? Would the quality of life have been worth it? Regardless, we did this on our terms and our decision – peacefully.
He was my first pup and was there for all of my life’s ups and downs over the past 7 years, including greeting my three children when we brought them home from the hospital to meet them. He was warmest, gentlest soul, with just enough goof ball in him. We will all miss him so much. For this to happen at such a young age I feel so incredibly robbed by life and blessed to have had in my life.
Dear Jacob,
I am so sorry for your loss of Bentley. I know you are running all the “what ifs” through your mind, but I am certain you made the right decision for your sweet boy. While no amount of time together would have been enough, what a blessing you were able to share seven wonderful years together. It is clear he was a vital part of your family. Praying for comfort and peace for everyone involved. May Bentley’s memory live on and be a source of joy in your life.
Our 12 year old Oso is going through almost the exact same situation right now. He’s a rescue mutt and we never figured out his breeds, but he looks like a retriever of some kind. He’s older with arthritis but has remained chipper if not very active. Less than a week ago he started coughing and retching intermittently. I took him in to the vet and X-rays showed fluid in his abdomen and a rounded heart. It was a clear sign of pericardial effusion. We elected to have the sack drained because at that time we did not understand the severity of his disease. The sonogram was evaluated by a cardiologist and we were told the Hemangiosarcoma had spread all over the right side of his heart, and likely metastasized to spleen and liver. We have had a good few days since, but have decided tomorrow is the day because we don’t want him to suffer from what is inevitable. It is such a hard choice even now. My struggles are what led me to this page. I was trying to justify putting off the end, but the more I learn about this disease the more at peace I am with our decision. We were blessed with so many great years with our best boy! It’s an honor to see him off. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Dear Mike,
My heart goes out to you with your recent loss of Oso. I know saying goodbye was very difficult but agree it was the most loving option for your boy. Hoping his passing was smooth and peaceful and wishing you all the best for brighter days ahead. Bless you.
We just put our 11 year old dog down today with the ruptured spleen. It happened a couple of days ago where we noticed he was extremely lethargic and no longer wanting to visit with visitors and he almost was tripping down two stairs to get outside. It was the hardest thing we have ever had to do but made the decision as there was a lot of blood in his stomach. We may the choice for him not to suffer and these stories are making me feel that we did the best thing for him. We miss him so much and it’s the worst feeling in the world.
Dear Elle,
My heart aches for you as you grieve the loss of your beloved pup. You made a loving choice to say goodbye and give your sweet boy peace and freedom from his suffering. I can only imagine how much you miss him, but I am certain he knew how much you cared. May his memory be a blessing in your life and stay with you always.
We just lost our 13.5 yr old Springer to a pulmonary embolism 2 days post splenectomy. We have were holding onto hope that the biopsy of the mass on her spleen was benign as there were no other abnormalities noted during the surgery. No active bleeding. Winds up that it didn’t matter as she suddenly experienced what was later determined to be a pulmonary embolism. Symptoms were suddenly refusing to take medication (wrapped in liverwurst) and panting. Rushed to emergency hospital where they tried to stabilize her but couldn’t. We were left stunned. She has been a happy /fine dog hours before. We had been told that it was an easy surgery with minimal blood loss (no transfusions). How often are embolisms in such a case?
Dear Chris,
I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your senior girl. This was completely unexpected, and I can only imagine how difficult it must be to find peace as you make your way forward. I don’t have specific numbers for the frequency of occurrence of an embolism after surgery. But unfortunately, it does happen and is a possible complication of ANY surgical procedure. I know you are pondering all the “what ifs” and rethinking every decision that has been made. But I would have made the same choices if in the same situation. I don’t think you did anything wrong or have any reason to feel guilty for how things happened. I hope with time your heart will heal and you can find comfort in knowing your girl was dearly loved and lived a happy life. May her memory stay with you always and be a blessing to you and your family. ♥
Just got the diagnoses today for my 9 year old lab/boxer mix. My heart is so weak, I helped birth my precious Angel, Reagan. She’s all white, literally an angel. Her back left leg is now turning black/purple from blood. The vet gave us the option of removing her leg but said the cancer would come back. I’m so lost and numb to the fact of losing her. She’s laying beside me as I type this and I can’t even fathom the thought of coming home and her not being here any longer. I’m so lost
Dear Brandon,
My heart aches for you. It is clear how dearly loved Reagan is and I can only imagine how difficult it will be to say goodbye when the time comes. This is the hard part of falling in love with a dog…. choosing to allow your own heart to break so your sweet girl can find rest. Only you can give her the peace she deserves after a lifetime of devotion. It is a curse and a blessing. Make the most of the time you are gifted. Praying for your strength and comfort as you face the emotional days ahead. ♥
Any update do you still have ur angel ?
I’m struggling a lot right now and seeing a support group like this is comforting. About two weeks ago we noticed our sweet baby boy golden retriever Bodie (8.5 years old) was becoming not interested in his food and was sluggish when playing fetch. He wasn’t sprinting and feverishly going after the ball like he usually did, he was trotting, walking and then laying down. He seemed to be a little more tired and lethargic than normal. At first we didn’t know what to think, maybe old age just catching up? He was still eating a little bit, but not much. Then we noticed his stomach was looking a little bloated. We made a vet appointment on Monday for Tuesday at 4pm. The vet took blood, said his gums look pale and his stomach is distended. She came back in and stated his red blood cells are very low, he’s anemic, and his blood platelets are very low. She took a needle and withdrew blood from his stomach. Out vet told us our pup is currently in the process of dying and presented two options. Go across the street and have emergency blood transfusion and surgery, to remove what is most likely hemangiosarcoma of the spleen or euthanize. She told us that she would euthanize if it was her dog, and that she’s seen this a lot over 17 years of experience and very often people who elect surgery it doesn’t turn out well. She did provide us some statistics and stated 80 percent of the time the tumor is malignant. We were in complete shock, totally caught off guard, and devastated. We didn’t know what to do and we absolutely didn’t want our boy to suffer. We elected to euthanize. I had never even heard of hemangiosarcoma. I’m questioning my decision big time right now and don’t know if I made a bad decision. Should I have elected for surgery? It’s killing me thinking that my guy might have had a benign tumor and that he could’ve lived a good life after the surgery. I’m aching, thinking that I made a terrible decision.
Dear Joseph,
My heart aches for you with your loss of Bodie. I understand your grief and know you will be running all the “what ifs” through your mind for days. I honestly think you made the best choice for your sweet boy. With his abdomen already filled with blood and his platelet count low, surgery would have probably ended very tragically even if the tumor was benign. Choosing to give your pup a peaceful goodbye saved him from unnecessary suffering. I pray with time your heart will begin to heal and you will be comforted knowing Bodie lived a good life full of love. May his memory stay with you always and be a blessing in your life. ♥
Exactly what we are going thru with our 11y/o GSD. We brought him home and plan to euthanize in 2-3 weeks – unless he shows pain or deteriorates. Kids Birthdays, Christmas and our wedding all happen in the next 10 days – I dont want his death in all that. I hope I’m not selfish for wanting to keep him just a little longer – he’s my baby..
Dear Heather,
My heart goes out to you as you face this emotional decision for your senior Shepherd. I completely understand waiting a bit due to all the big life events you have happening in the next few weeks. Enjoy the time you are gifted, and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. Bless you all. ♥
First off I need to tell everyone I am so sorry for all your losses. My heart ❤️ goes out to you.
Our family is currently going through a similar situation with our chocolate lab Gus. He just turned 10 this past December. He is our general giant at 135lbs. So sweet Gus has not had an easy life. Before the age of 1 he had FHO done on both his back hips. So he was never really able to be an energetic pup. Has always struggled with walking/running or even playing for long periods of time. 3 years ago he developed an abscess on his front paw on the pad and between his toes. I thought maybe a hot spot. Ultimately He had to have a toe amputated. We thought it was cancer. But luckily in that case we found out the abscess was actually filled with fur. Our vet has never seen anything like this before.
Moving forward with In the last 6 months he has developed several tumors. 1 on his hip that is big and squishy. Another that is located on what I would consider is butt area. We noticed it when it was the size of a grape and with in the last month 1 1/2 it is now the size of a baseball. In the last 2 days it is now red and what looks like a black scab that is bleeding. The last week we have noticed an increase water intake (ALOT) he has also started to have accidents in the house everyday. He only gets up to walk when he is thirsty or needs to go outside. But other than that he just lays around.
I have an appointment with vet on Saturday to see what they have to say but I FEAR he has hemangiosarcoma. At least that’s what I think from everything that I have read
Hoping for good news
Hi Melissa,
I am so sorry Gus is dealing with this worrisome tumor on his rear end. I can only imagine how worried you must be. Luckily, it is not common for hemangiosarcoma to appear on the skin. Without examining Gus myself, I would have to say I am suspicious that this lump may be a mast cell tumor or another less severe type of tumor. I am glad to hear you already had an appointment scheduled to have your vet do a thorough evaluation. What did you find out? Hoping you were able to get answers and praying for a favorable outcome. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance!
Hi Joseph we had exactly the same decision to make as Paddy our 9yr old choccy lab had a tumour on his spleen the vet after scanning his stomach said it was full of blood and looking at the scan was 99% certain it was malignant, we made the painful decisin to euthanize and he died peacefuly ive spoke to the vet since and she says we made the correct decision so dont beat yourself up about it hope this helps
Dear David,
I am sorry for your loss of Paddy. Thank you for being willing to offer support and comfort to others while working through the grief process yourself. Wishing you brighter days ahead and healing for your heart. Bless you.
I’ve just lost the most precious thing to me in my life, my only friend,my bestest friend. He was only three years old, the most beautiful, intelligent, talkative, understanding human like rottie that I’ve ever known or owned.
His name was Raf. I was forced to neuter him at one for starters as my state in particular bought in a mandate only in 2018 that cats and dogs must be desexed sithin 6mo- 1yo. I was quite shocked at this…. My rotties was papered, I find out far too late, that I could have used a loophole w the papers to get around this. I repeatedly asked multiple different vets about effects of neutering especially a male so young- was told allllll benefits, decreases risk of cancer (they didn’t mention ALL the cancers it significantly increases though, OR that it significantly WILL decrease the lifespan of a dog. Ie in Rottweilers neutering at @ 1 they have found it brings an average life span of 5yo
@4.5 yrs (after fully growing= life exp = 8-10yrs
Intact = 10 plus years…… I found they were doing a study on this ONLY on south aus dogs, where I reside……
Over past theee years Raf struggled with gastrointestinal issues, saw countless vets, one even cut open his stomach for investigation. No diagnoses, couldn’t tell me what may be, pancreatitis or IBS maybe they said, said to break down meals into three a day
Kept bringing up lymphoma, because I’d noticed especially on the “Rottweilers or Adelaide” page on fb, that’s rotties we’re dying on lymphoma at 4yo at an alarming rate, so I was super vigilant about wanting Raf checked, kept getting told no no no noooo too young for cancer…..
His stomach issues continued on and off, kept asking be checked lymph, he has sagging skin around neck but lymph nodes didn’t feel too swollen, kept asking get shcecked, kept getting ignored, told too young…
Then only just last week his energy levels dropped significantly, then appetite decreased, a couple sloppy poos and noticed he seemed be breathing more heavily. Checked breath rate – between 40-60/min while resting, temp 39.1, pulse 120bpm resting…. Didn’t feel right to me, took him to emergency as was a Sunday, made wait twelve hours waiting room, still being told no no won’t be lymphoma, after sitting twelve hours not even having him offered water while human owners get given coffees etc I had to give my dog a drink out of a human cup 🙄 they stretched us waiting and waiting til 6pm, sat me down, told me bloods taken at first emergency we had gone to was showing anaemia, said best to keep him in over night….no blood transfusion was performed (as the $8000 estimate had included)…. They said they’d send me photos to update me through night, received none, just the bill of course,,,,
Next morning 10am vet calls – says he doing well etc, he ate bit chicken (which I don’t believe as that’s one thing he was very off of),,,, we still don’t think it’s lymphoma that’s bottom of our list so don’t stress too much……had to make them j crude that in tests…..
Come 6pm when I went back down for meeting w vet surgeon…I got dropped on me that coldly by one who hadn’t spoken to yet “sooooo obviously he has a mass near his chest, spleen, liver, blood bone marrow”… with me just like excuse me!! Few hours ago u said not it and all sudden now it’s Stage 5?,!.!
He came out with eyes rolling back in head, more dehydrated than when I’d taken him in, kept asking if they’d given him extra ketamine or something, that he didn’t seem right, or are they saying the cancer has progressed THAT much from the wagging dog I saw 8pm last night as I left ?
They sent us home, said not really candidate for chemo but flogged off blood transfusion said to bring him back for next week, took 8k n sent us on our way home w him still ha,f out of it, more dehydrated and with no pain meds and no real way to know what to expect
My what they were saying I expected I had months…so I regretfully (now I regret it) spent last three days trying find someone in another state on other side country to get him into immunotherapy trials, sourcing stuff get his body alkaline. Hadn’t slept or eaten in around 5 days as was so stressed and wanting to help him.. he perked up a couple of days after coming back from hospital, so I felt positive, didn’t eat yday, which made me back worried again but was still drinking, weeing, seemed bright, even played with a new ball.
I accidentally dosed off, I remember thinking I should get on his bed with him but he must have felt hot as went outside room to lay on floorboards. I accidentally dozed off, and woke four hours to him dead in the next room, he was still hot to the touch but his face was frozen and had passed a lot of watery/mucous/oil/ blood … he was gone that soon, my beautiful boy who only a week ago was running and playing and spending 24/7 by my side as always.
I will never forgive myself I wasn’t there at his time of passing as I just don’t know what happened. I’m starting think he must have bled internally I just don’t know I just want to know if he was scared or suffered, I so wish now that instead of researching that I had just spent all the time I could holding him and wish I’d never fallen asleep 😭
Dear Jasmin,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Raf. He sounds like an amazing boy, and I can only imagine how much you miss him. Hemangiosarcoma can be so tricky. It can develop rapidly with little to no symptoms. And once it has spread and there is bleeding present, often there is not much that can be done other than to offer a peaceful goodbye. I know things did not end as you would have chosen but take comfort in knowing Raf was at home where he was most comfortable. It is clear he was dearly loved, and I am certain he knew. May his memory stay with you always and be a blessing in your life.
We adopted our sweet baby girl, Lexi when she was a year old to help our son, who was in his early twenties, cope with major depressive disorder.
She was a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix (with a larger breed – we think Great Dane) and quickly bonded with our whole family, though our son was always her number one (if she would not obey us – she could be stubborn at times – we could count on her to obey him).
She was a beautiful, sweet, loving, intelligent, fiercely loyal dog and everyone who got to know her fell in love with her right away and, she loved them right back.
Unfortunately, her playful, athletic energy, coupled with great strength and muscle mass was difficult on her more delicate frame. She had two TPLO surgeries, suffered from a rare reaction to antibiotics after her first surgery that almost cost her life and left her with large scars on her belly, and had happy tail that became such a constant health issue for her that we had to dock her tail (although she had enough tail to wiggle it vigorously when she was happy – which was most of the time).
She also had, in the last year and a half of her 11 year old life, developed a staff infection in her left lower leg that took a long time to diagnose and resulted in the removal of her TPLO hardware in that leg to allow complete eradication of the infection. She began to have another reaction to the antibiotic (a different antibiotic this time but the same reaction – on her left leg instead of her belly) that we caught right away but took a long time to heal and left a large patch of scar tissue on her ankle that matched those on her belly. She was always such a trooper and loved life and people so much, even through all of her physical maladies.
She was still battling the infection, which would return when she finished a course of antibiotics, when she lost her appetite (which was incredibly unusual for her as she looooved to eat). We attributed it to the antibiotics, since she was taking two different antibiotics at the same time. She almost stopped eating her dog food completely but still loved chicken, her favorite , and really anything else that was offered her, but began losing weight.
Then we noticed she was sleeping a lot, and in the middle of a walk she would suddenly stop (even then she would make herself as stable as she could and point in the direction she wanted to go when we turned around- and it was never in the direction of home) and we she could barely make it home.
When her breathing started becoming quick at times when she was laying down, and her belly looked swollen and taught on one side, we realized it was likely more than her infection and antibiotics that was causing these troubling symptoms.
She was scheduled for some routine bloodwork in a couple of days (December 27th 2023), so we called the vet and requested an exam also during that time.
Her regular vet was not available that day, but another veterinarian at the clinic (she was great) examined her. Lexi had lost 10 of her 115 lbs and the vet noticed everything we were concerned about right away. She took x-rays of her belly and showed us her enlarged spleen with a mass on it and the free fluid around her spleen and heart. Coupled with her textbook symptoms, she was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma on her spleen with the high likelihood that it had spread elsewhere.
The vet recommended that we think about euthanasia, but told us we didn’t have to decide in the moment, her gums were still pink, but in the next week for sure, or her spleen could rupture, which would be a traumatic event for everyone.
After I spent that night awake, listening to her quick breaths, I knew we needed to take her in to be put down the next day, especially since our vet would be unavailable the the day after that, which was followed by the New Year’s holiday. That day, December 28th, happened to be my husband’s and my 38th wedding anniversary, but it wasn’t hard to convince him we needed to take her in after I let him know I couldn’t sleep because I could hear that she was breathing fast almost continuously. I always knew if she was in any discomfort as she had slept on her dog bed right beside me for the last several years. She was always able to ask for a comforting pet during her many ailments that would put her right back to sleep (eventually).
Her vet was available that day and we made an appointment to have her euthanized in the afternoon.
That morning, so many family members and people that she loved came to spend time with her. She was hugged, stroked, fed all of her favorite foods that we used to limit. We practically smothered her with love, gave her everything she wanted, and even took her for a short walk, allowing her to sniff as much and as long as she wanted.
I’m sure it was one of the best days of her life. She was so happy, but you could see how tired she was, and her physical appearance had changed so much. She was thin with a swollen belly and you could see in her face that she was weary.
Her veterinarian was so compassionate. We were with her when she passed. When she was given a sedative first, she fought going to sleep. When she realized her body felt different than when she usually dozes off, she got a look of fear in her eyes and looked back and forth at me and my husband for reassurance. Even though we were talking to her and petting her, and trying our best to comfort her, she had that look in her eyes when she finally succumbed to the sedation. She was completely out when her vet came in to give her the final medication, and that was very peaceful. Her heart just slowed until it stopped, and we were given as much time as we needed to give our baby girl her last pets and loves, and see her for the last time.
Even though I am certain we did the right thing for her although it broke our hearts, that look of fear in her last moments haunts me and I feel as though she died thinking we had let something bad happen to her.
Just when I think I am beginning to cope with the loss of our sweet girl, the image of her frightened eyes intrudes into my memory and I don’t know how I am ever going to get over that.
Dear Christina,
I am so sorry for your loss of Lexi. What a blessing you were able to be with her during her final moments. Even if the initial effects of the sedation caused Lexi some anxiety, please rest assured that as soon as it took full effect, she did not continue to feel those worrisome emotions. She was resting peacefully and able to hear you speaking words of love and assurance. I am certain your presence was a comfort and that she knew how much you cared. I pray with time your heart will begin to heal. May her memory live on and be a source of joy in your lives.
I just had to put my best friend of almost 14 years down this past Monday, November 27. It was a complete and unexpected shock! He was tired the day before, he had also played with his “cousins” over Thanksgiving and was going up and down stairs. He did nap a lot, but chalked it up to his age and all the activity and chaos. He puked early that morning on Monday, but just thought he had a tummy ache. I let him out, he went pee, and came back in to his kennel and went back to sleep. A bit later he was whining, but that’s not abnormal either, so I let him out again and this time the other two go out with him. With age, there are nights he has to go pee more frequently. So he and the others go back in their kennels. Some time passes, he starts whining again, so I get up, grab a blanket, go to the couch and bring him into the front room with me. (My hubby has to be up early for work, he does construction. I wanted him to be able to sleep). Houdini fell back asleep but started whimpering, I used my phone flashlight and his eyes were closed so I thought he was dreaming, which he does a lot. By this time the hubby had left for work. The vet opened at 8. I called, told them how he was acting and they told me to bring him in. When I let him out to potty before we left, he about fell down the two steps to the grass, all he did was lay down. went and grabbed him and brought him in the house and set him down while I put my shoes on and he tried to stand there, wobbled back and forth with his back hunched. His a little guy. He’s a jack Russell/ papillon mix. He was a rescue. They first asked if we had and rodent poison around, but we don’t. They took blood. He was severely anemic, pale gums, breathing fast by the time we got there and his tummy felt hard. His white blood cell count was through the roof. Ended up he did have this tumor and it had burst. He was bleeding in his abdomen. It was too late to do anything. He would have been 14 this coming Tuesday, December 5th.
Dear Shannon,
My heart aches for you with the recent loss of your senior boy. I know tomorrow will be difficult and filled with emotions. What a blessing you were able to spend almost 14 years together. I am sure you have some wonderful memories of the adventures you shared. I hope with time your heart will heal and you will be comforted knowing Houdini lived a life filled with love and joy. May his memory be with you always. Bless you. ♥
Four days ago we woke up with a perfectly healthy happy dog and went to bed that night with a dead dog and in complete and utter shock. Our boy, Rigby, a German Shepherd/Plott Hound mix, was only 9 years old, we thought we had more years with him. We had picked him up the day before from boarding for 10 days over Thanksgiving after spending it across the country with our son where he was stationed at. I am so grateful that Rigby got to come home and be happy and content at at home and that it didn’t happen at boarding while we were so far away. The morning he died he was full of life perfectly ok happily chasing his web ball and taking treats from our little grandtwins. Then in the afternoon while I was sitting on the couch watching a show with my little grandtwins he came and sat by me and laid his head in my lap. He’ll do this when he wants loving or comforting so I started stroking his head but then noticed he was drooling. I thought he was going to puke so I ran to the door and commanded him to go out but he was frozen in place like he was unaware of me. I commanded him again and he suddenly leaped straight up in the air and his legs stiffened straight out and he did a back flip slamming hard on his back. I screamed, “OMG, RIGBY!!!!” and ran to him but he was completely unresponsive. I saw that his flank was twitching and I thought he had a seizure. My grandtwins upset begged to pet him but I was afraid if it was a seizure he might blindly snap so I told them no. He was like that for about 5 minutes then he slowly came to. He uprighted him self but just laid there with very labored breathing. Then I noticed his gums and tongue were pale and I knew it wasn’t good. I desperately started trying to google his symptoms but realized he had to be rushed to the vet right then and now and called them, they said bring him in now. Rigby was able to get up and wobbly walk to the car and go up his ramp to get in and my husband stayed home with the twins. He was able to walk into the vets with his head hung low. The vet took him immediately back for blood tests and X-rays then came back with it written all over her face. Blood tests showed he was anemic and X-rays showed there was a mass on his spleen, she was holding a syringe filled with blood she got out of his abdominal cavity. I put my face in my hands, I knew what it all meant. She said chances were very high it was a type of aggressive cancer, told me about surgery that might give him 2-3 months at best or she could put him down cause he was dying and wouldn’t make it through the night. That hit me like a ton of bricks. She did say there was a slim chance it was not cancer and he might live the rest of his natural life… I needed my husband. I called him and told him what was happening and that I needed him and he called my daughter to come get the twins and he came. He asked the vet what exactly were the chances it was cancer and she said over 70% but that because it already burst and he had so much blood loss he could die during surgery and his recovery would be hard. My dog had already gone through a painful huge fatty tumor removal and torn ACL a couple of years ago that was sooooo painful and hard on him. My heart wanted to give Rigby the chance but I knew logically we needed to let him go peacefully and not put him through anymore surgeries and pain. I asked my husband, not considering what I wanted, what did he think we should do and he said to put the dog down. His eyes were red and welling with tears and sniffling, he never does that. So that’s what we did. I stroked Rigby’s head telling him how good a boy he was as he died… it was horrible. We were in shock. We live in the country so we told them we would take him home and bury him, we’re older so my son-in-law came and helped. Then for two days I was racked with guilt that I didn’t give the dog a chance, it was just eating at me. With my other dogs they were elderly when we put them down, it was their time and it was a relief, but this guy was so full of life… it wasn’t his time. Then people started telling me how this happened to them and their dogs all had the cancer and that we did the right thing. My sisters dog had the cancer and died, my brother’s dog, he did the operation and his dog had the cancer and died shortly afterwards anyways. Another person’s dog had the cancer and only made it 3 weeks after the surgery. Then I found this blog and read all the comments… I know now in my heart we did the right thing, and it brings me peace. Thank you for this. (Rigby was the most obedient dog I’ve ever owned. He had that shepherd want to please you attitude. He was sensitive and greatly did not want to displease anybody. Even if you nicely told him to stop something he’d go to the other person and lay his head on their lap to be comforted. He was great with all our friends, family and kids. He had so much personality and even taught himself games like pushing a ball down the stairs, running down to get it and back up to push it down over and over. And when I was soooo sick and suffering coming out of the ICU with an acute attack of an autoimmune disease that attacked my nervous system he was glued to my side laying his head on me. We’ll never forget him.)
Hi Treece,
My heart breaks for you on the loss of Rigby. He sounds like he was an amazing dog and it is clear what a special part of the family he was. I’m so thankful that after talking to friends and family and reading the blog comments, you are now at peace with the decision to euthanize him rather than pursue surgery. You made the hardest, most loving, and most selfless decision you could for him, and it was the right one. Sending hugs as you go through the grieving process and as you remember Rigby and the pawprints he left on your heart.❤️
I was blessed to pick up my baby boy Dre at 6 weeks old in 2012 while I was 21 years old, both of us still babies. I told my parents I found him in downtown Los Angeles although my grandparents helped me adopt my boyo at a rescue. Dre became my husband at that point my beautiful German shepherd Labrador Pitbull mix brought all the love and joy into my life that I would I ever need, also would probably never allow a boyfriend in my life, we tried haha. My boy is so loyal loving energetic and absolutely crazy. Spending my 20’s with my boy saved my life in so many ways, I did party quite a bit and was learning about life, but he is the reason why I was ready to leave the party and get home to Dre. His nose in the door waiting for me, barking and yelling at me if I was on the phone too long, putting his body out my sunroof driving down PCH for miles. Dre is the love of my life.
At 32 now, I have had to take my free time and grow up get a job go to school, I am in nursing school now and working for a surgeon. I hate leaving my boy in the morning but ensure his favorite show is on and snacks hidden around the house. I felt guilt for not being able to be with him 24/7 as i used to when I was younger but he was always my number 1, I don’t leave his side otherwise and he never has left mine.
I work a weekend job as well and sleep well into my Saturdays where he does with me so mom can get some rest, my weekend job provides for us so I do not like to take off work. I was offered to join a conference in Newport Beach with a doctor I work with as well as my best friend who is a nurse. Her baby boy Bentley is Dre’s best friend so I said screw it let’s take the boys and I’ll take off work so they can have a vacay. I came home from work Friday, November 10th around 5 pm to Dre of course finding a piece of salmon sushi from the night prior, I am aware of raw salmon parasites in dogs so I kept my mind aware. Dre eats anything haha If I would allow him to. He’s a bigger dog it was a small piece, my thoughts it would pass through.
Walking into the hotel I took a video of the boys entering the hotel room soooo happy. We had 20 minutes to change to get down for dinner, as I went to give my boy a kiss and a treat he didn’t take the treat which was already odd. I called the vet at dinner to explain the salmon situation and checked on him. He had thrown up once and nothing else, good feces and all. The vet told me if he is not continuously doing so, he’s probably just rejecting it, he was eating some grass so I say oh baby you don’t feel well you’re soothing your tummy. He tried to get off the bed multiple times during the night, I was checking his gums they were picking so I assumed to get off the bed to vomit like he usually would. My bub is 11 so I obviously help him on and off even thought my doggy is still so active and healthy as of our vet visit check up 3 weeks prior.
In the morning I noticed a bit of labored breathing, I called the vet and didn’t want to take any chances so I went to get the bell hop to help me cart him to my car my baby was collapsing. I get to the vet and triage my boy, the medical assistant holds my hands and says “please get the word salmon out of your head it’s not the salmon” i think she did this knowing I was in a panic my dog was perfect less than 24 hours prior. He was rushed on a gurney and I was left with no answers other knowing that the only thing in my head could be possible is this salmon. Dres vet walked into the room and explained he had pericardial effusion, I do work in medical so I do know what the term means, he was bleeding into his pericardial sac due to a mass that has ruptured. I had her aspirate the blood no matter the cost at that point knowing it was possible the procedure would not give my boy success. My best friend and Dre’s best friend arrived to comfort me and to help me understand what’s going on my head was spinning. The blood started to flood his heart again and there was abnormalities in his abdomen as well as fluid. She explained my baby was dying. Neither of us had a choice, neither of us knew. Knowing I had no other decision I asked to ensure I get to be with my baby the whole time after begging her to let me take him home so he’s with me a comfy, she informed me it would be awful for us both to be stressed to get back to Los Angeles where he probably wouldn’t have made it there.
I didn’t want my baby to suffer, he was brought into a comfy room with mommy his best friend his auntie and grandma on the phone. I look around and a random number “1103” was written on a white board, this is my apartment number, we were home. I held by baby and talked to him and made jokes about his looking away from mommy crying. He used to kiss me but again throughout your 20s you cry a lot, at a point Dre Jsut walks out of the room, like mom stop you cry too much.
The vet informed me that giving the propofal he would try to breath by hovering and not to worry.
My baby, instead showed me his belly, my friend informed me the get started to cry and said she’s never seen that happen because anatomically it’s incorrect. My boy was telling me he’s okay. I held his body as he transitioned over the rainbow. It was the worst day I could think I would and will ever experience but I was blessed. My boy passed or 11.11, I live on the 11th floor and get press the button every day .
If for some reason I did not go that weekend I would have woken up with my precious baby deceased in my bed thinking I killed him because I left salmon in the trash.
I received his labs and all diagnostics and started researching, he had hemangiosarcomas is both his spleen and heart, I believed both ruptured that day, when I picked him up on Thanksgiving I aasked to run through the labs with me. She informed me if I had a billion dollars at the time and how aggressively his sarcomas ruptured it would have been the same outcome. If I were to catch is 1-3 months prior that would be his prognosis with surgery and chemo. My baby didn’t have to suffer I am happy we didn’t catch this early or my baby wouldn’t have been able to be at his favorite place, the beach when he crossed over the beautiful rainbow. I l feel very lost I have never lived on my own without my boy, it is difficult but he’s with me and I feel him every day. I miss my baby so much, Dre is the biggest blessing to ever be given, I am so lucky to have experienced a love and connection we have. Hold your babies tight they’re the best, they are amazing, they are present, they are perfect
Dear Jay,
I am so sorry for your loss of Dre. It is clear he was amazing and a once in a lifetime kind of pup. Thank you for sharing his story with us. I assure you he will not be forgotten, and his legacy will live on. May his memory be a blessing in your life and stay with you always. ♥
My Tibetan Terrier Enzo is 13years old, he has given us many a health scare with several cancer investigations and severe autoimmune IBD, all of which turned out to be benign or treatable so part of me was hoping this would be another of his dramatic ( and expensive!) false alarms.
Thursday night he showed signs of a nasty UTI which appeared out of no where so as a precaution I took him to the emergency animal hospital. During the examination the vet did a quick ultrasound check and noted a “huge” mass on the spleen and “something not right” with the liver.
Follow-up today with a specialist ultrasound vet has shown a 6cm mass on the spleen plus 4 smaller ones along with 4-5 masses in the liver.
I understand with liver metastasis we are almost certainly faced with a highly malignant tumour and spleenectomy is no longer a option so we must consider the best palliative care.
The good news is there is no abdominal bleeding and he is perfectly happy and his usual self completely over the UTI.
The bad news is I must make decisions on his behalf and I’m extremely concerned that my desperation to postpone the inevitable will not be in his best interest and turn his last weeks/months into a round of miserable medical experiments. He has severe separation anxiety and generally is highly stressed just at our family vets.
I dont know if chemotherapy or chinese mushroom extracts will do anything other than drag this out or if I’m denying him a more comfortable passing.
Hi Clare,
My heart goes out to you on Enzo’s presumptive hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. I would agree with the vet and specialist that unfortunately the fact that there are masses in the spleen and liver points to an aggressive cancer rather than a benign mass. It is great that he is feeling so good now, but in a lot of ways that probably makes it all the harder to know what to do. Some dogs with hemangiosarcoma go on to have more good time, while others decline rapidly when the tumors start bleeding. And sadly there is no good way to know which category your dog is going to fall into. As you have gathered from the article and all the other dog parents who have shared their story, there is no universally right answer.
Talking to a veterinary oncologist (if you didn’t already) might be a good way to get a better idea of what chemotherapy might look like for him (side effects, treatment frequency, prognosis, etc.). And oncologists are also often skilled at discussing the pros and cons of palliative care, so that might help with some of your other questions too.
I’m sure this is a lot to take in, so you may need to take some time to regroup and create a plan. In the end though, I’m confident that you will be able to find the way forward. Thinking about you and wishing you clarity and peace in these tough times. ❤️
Thank you for your insightful article. My sincere condolences to all who have lost their beloved pets. Buffon, a Jack Russell was 13,5 years old when he was crossed on November 7, 2023. My Mom passed away in May 2021, and I took Buffon into my family. He was an incredibly strong boy and loved his walks and food (especially his chicken breast and brown rice for dinner). On November 1, he went for a monthly check-up to the vet. He had chronic lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis, which was starting to stabilize and the vet was pleased with his health. On November 5, he ate very little, To that day he had never refused a meal. He was also very slow on his walk and we had to turn around to take him home, I phoned my vet and she prescribed an anti-nausea pill, which seemed to bring him around the following day. On November 7, he was lethargic and we didn’t go for a walk. I looked at his gums – they looked slightly pale at that stage. I booked an appointment to see the vet. Three hours later, as we were getting into my vehicle I looked at his eyes, which seemed dark, and his gums. His gums were white – I’ve never seen such white gums in a dog before. We got to the vet, who immediately ran blood tests and did an abdominal ultrasound. His blood tests were all normal except for a drop in his red blood count, making him slightly anemic. After the vet had done the ultrasound, she called me urgently into the consulting room. She told me that Buffon had ruptured hemangioma sarcomas on his spleen and his liver and that he was dying. I held him in my arms and he licked my face and tears. I told him how much I loved him. The vet sedated him and he fell asleep in my arms. Then we gently placed him on the table and we crossed him over the rainbow bridge. This is the second dog that I’ve lost to this disease. My other dog, Dante, an Italian Greyhound, was euthanized at 8 years. He had the cancer in his spleen and kidneys. Never, did I expect any of my dogs to go through this again. It’s one of the most invasive and aggressive cancers that strike without warning. I’m praying and hoping that ongoing research will one day reduce its incidence. My heart goes out to everyone here. The pain I feel is indescribable. I’m just gutted and shattered.
Dear Sanchia,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Buffon. What a blessing you were able to be with him in those final moments. I am certain your presence was a comfort and that he knew how much you loved him. I pray one day this disease will be a thing of the past. Until then, we will continue to love our pups fiercely and make sure they experience joy in each day. Wishing you comfort and peace as you continue life’s journey. Bless you. ♥
It’s been 10 days since I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my 11 year old golden Pyrenees pup. She had a clean bill of health at her 6 month checkup, walked 2 times a day, was her normal self Sunday and then Monday morning wouldn’t get out of bed, wouldn’t eat, had very pale gums, and looked very disoriented when she did try to get up. Rushed to the ER where they took her straight to the back. We were traveling out of state so this was a random vet which made the situation even more stressful. After a series of tests and ultrasounds, it was determined to be a splenetic tumor rupture. I was told the odds and prognosis and was ready to get the spleen removed but then the vet said another nodule was found on her liver so her odds of it being malignant was even worse and she mentioned euthanasia. I just can’t wrap my brain around how we went from normal to dying in less than 12 hours. And the options were stabilizing her for surgery with blood transfusions immediately or saying goodbye immediately. Money wasn’t a problem and as much as I wanted to try everything, I opted to make the heartbreaking decision to let her go because the er vet made things so grim. I can’t stop thinking about it and wish I could have had time to process and ask more questions. I want to believe I did the right thing by her even though I’m a mess. She lived a very full life and I have so many wonderful memories, but I’m tormented right now about the decision to not try everything. She was so incorporated into my life, I feel like I let her down.
Dear Jess,
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved pup. I can only imagine how much you must miss her. I absolutely feel you made the right choice in giving her a peaceful goodbye. I hate that your decision felt rushed but with the life-threatening bleeding that was happening, a quick decision was needed to prevent unnecessary suffering. I am certain your girl knew how much she was loved and that your presence was a comfort in her final moments. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and the grief will be replaced with peace. Praying for your comfort and may the memories of all the good times you shared bring you joy.
I’ve had this blog open in a window of my laptop for nearly a month. That’s how long it’s been since one of the worst days of my life – the day I lost my Kearney boy. In those first days after losing him I was searching for answers, searching for anything really that could give me some insight into what I had just been through. This page helped me to understand a little bit more and I thank you for posting this blog. Like so many others, I had no idea that this was something to look for and worry about until I was being asked to euthanize my beautiful boy by an emergency room vet who was telling me about internal bleeding and hemangiosarcoma at 3am. I was completely dumbfounded because just before we went to bed my lovable floof was running around the yard like a crazy boy, only stopping to get hugs and give kisses between laps.
I got Kearney from a local rescue. He was the one dog in the litter without an application, but his foster mom told there was something special about him. My husband and I talk about how lucky we are that no one else knew that there was such a beautiful soul in the litter because he was the kindest, sweetest, most vocal and loving dog either of us has ever known. He thought every creature was his friend, but never strayed far from his pack. He followed me everywhere and was always by my side (well, except when college football is on the tv…that’s too stressful for any of us!). My handsome goofball would have turned 9 in January. I feel like he was robbed and the world lost a good boy that night.
I too noticed that Kearney (and his older brother Misio) had diarrhea a few weeks before that night. I didn’t think much of it because both have been pretty picky eaters and had bouts with stomach issues periodically, so I thought that was probably it and gave him some easy-GI foods to help. When he woke me up at 1:30am, I thought he needed to go out, but then quickly realized that he was breathing heavily so I checked the temp, tried to soothe him in case he was just scared, and then I looked at his gums. They were so pale. I woke my husband up and we rushed him to the ER vet. Never did I think those would be the last tail wags, kisses, and looks we would exchange. After going through options and me telling the vet I could not give up on him and that I had to fight for him, she said she’d try to get him ready for transport. But then she came back to tell us she was having a hard time getting a BP. (How could this be?!?!?!? He was just looking at me and wagging his tail!). I asked to see him and immediately wrapped my arms around him so he could feel me there with him. I made sure to tell him he was a good boy, that I loved him, and that it was ok. He surprised the vet by picking his head up and then made a classic Kearney “chewbaca” noise before laying his head back down on me. Shortly after he laid his head down, his heart rate increased and he was gone. I’ve never lost a dog so abruptly or unassisted, and I’m not sure if or how I’ll ever understand HSA or why this happened, but I’ll always cherish the time I had with my Kearney boy. He was a beautiful soul that made the world a better place.
Since then I’ve learned so much about this disease and am still shocked that there isn’t more awareness of it. Thank you for posting this article and spreading knowledge about this horrible disease. It’s been helpful in my journey to cope with this new life we’ve all been thrown into.
Hi Patty,
My heart goes out to you on the loss of Kearney. Your tribute to him was beautiful (and made me laugh when you go to the part about college football). It is clear how much you loved him and what a special, one-of-a-kind dog he was. I’m so sorry that you lost him in such a sudden and traumatic way. Hemangiosarcoma is so heartbreaking because it often causes dogs to go from fine to gone in a short period of time, leaving their parents shocked and devastated. You are in my thoughts as you grieve this loss, adjust to life with a Kearney-sized hole in it, and remember all the good times you had together. ❤️
My 12 year old German Short Hair was just very ill all of the sudden. I had already decided at her age I would not do anything but supportive care if she developed cancer. The vets believe this is what she has. They put her on the Yunnan Baiyo after she spent several hours in intensive care. She continues to eat like a horse, drink normal and act just like she did before her very sudden illness. I can’t help but hope it is the more benign form of tumor. But I am treasuring every day as a gift, and know my time is getting short with her.
This blog has me in tears, but it helps to know others really understand my pain. She is my heart dog. I have already found a vet that would come to my house should euthanasia become necessary. I won’t let her suffer. She has seen me through some of the toughest times in my life. I will see her through this.
Hi Maureen,
My heart goes out to you with the news of your heart dog’s potential hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. I’m so thankful that she is feeling good right now and hope that you are able to continue to have good days together for awhile yet. The deep love you have for her is so evident in this post. Thinking about you as you treasure the time you have left and prepare for that heartbreaking goodbye. ❤️
OMG, the same thing happened to us. Last Sunday we brought Farley to the vet because he just stopped eating. They found fluid in his belly and wanted me to either put him down or do exploratory surgery. We took him home and started Yunnan Bayou and he is back to normal!!
Hi Ravonne,
I am glad the Yunnan Baiyao helped to stabilize Farley and restore his quality of life. Please know that this could be a temporary fix and your boy may need additional medical attention. I hope you can figure out what option will offer the most benefit to you and your sweet boy. Wishing Farley all the best!
I am going through the same exact thing. I lost my 9 year old chocolate lab, Tucker one week ago and I can’t wrap my head around it. Just like you said, this article has helped me understand more. I’m so sorry you are going through this awful pain as well. Sending hugs
Hi Kelsey,
So sorry for the sudden loss of Tucker. I hope that in time you can find a measure of comfort in all the wonderful memories you shared together. Thinking about you in this time of grieving. ❤️
just happened to us yesterday. Dewey our 9.3 year old goldendoodle hadn’t been eating much for over a week. finally took him to vet for blood work and a senior exam. the next morning his poop was orange and I knew there was a problem. by the time I got to vets they said the test results showed low red blood cells and he was now anemic. bleeding internally, they did an x-ray and found masses on what they thought were spleen. said they would immediately do surgery to try and get the blood stopped and remove spleen mass. then they called and gave us the news that there were also masses on his liver and would not recover we made the gut wrenching decision to euthanize him while he was still under anesthesia rather than wake him to be in pain to say goodbye. went in with no clue that he had this aggressive ruptured tumorous cancer and that this would be our final farewell. we are beyond devastated. didn’t know there was any cancer that would rupture and take a dogs life so quickly. love your dogs each and every day.
Dear Judy,
My heart aches for you with your tragic loss of Dewey. As painful as it was to make the decision to say goodbye, you definitely did the right thing. Letting go was the only way to offer your sweet boy freedom from his suffering. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and you will be comforted by the memories of all the good times you shared. May Dewey’s memory stay with you forever and continue to be a blessing in your life.
My boy, Felix is in this boat. he was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and his tumor is enormous. I couldn’t bring myself to euthanize him so he is on hospice with pain management right now as I try to figure out what to watch for. I don’t know how I’m going to survive this….he is also my heart dog. I don’t even want to think about his death, and I have to plan it?
Dear Gretchen,
My heart aches for you as you face this emotional decision for Felix. I can only imagine how hard it will be to say goodbye, but sometimes it is the only way to offer freedom from suffering and give a beloved pup the peace they deserve. I encourage you to reach out to a hospice vet in your area. They will help guide you along this difficult path and give you clear indicators for what to watch for. Here is a link to another article that may offer insight and advice: Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Praying for your strength and comfort for you and your sweet boy. ♥
Thank you for your blog on Hemangiosarcoma. My William a 14.5 year old cocker spaniel had a spleen tumour and it had spread to his liver as well we found it before it bled and had it removed and he now is having chemo. He needed to have a pericardiectomy because fluid was building around the heart and this operation was a success. He is managing well on his chemo and has a little cough but other than that he is doing well.
I have made plans for the end at home In France. I am aware of the stages and i guess all been well we are at stage 2 going into 3 and the plan is not to get to stage 4 where serious pain occurs.
My local vet gave me some real comforting words of wisdom.
She said to me; Remember this, unlike humans who are diagnosed and informed that they have cancer and are going to die, William doesn’t know he has cancer and he doesn’t know when he is going to die. if you choose the right time when he isn’t in pain and he has a good pre med he will drift off to sleep not knowing.
This gave me such comfort[ not easy for me having to watch and know] because i want him to enjoy the last bit of his life.
Dear Christopher,
My heart goes out to you as you face these last days with William. Your vet is absolutely right…we often focus on a good life, but a beloved dog also deserves a smooth and peaceful goodbye. As humans we look forward to the future, but dogs only focus on today. So, give your sweet boy the BEST today and make each day count. Wishing you both strength and comfort. Bless you!
Hi there,
Your blog was of great help as our beloved dog Harley, who is a 6 & 1/2 year old Kelpie has been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. Just over 2 weeks ago, Harley was fatigued and out of sorts all of a sudden and not eating or accepting any treats … even though he would typically gobble up any treat we offered him normally.. After contacting the vet, they had asked to check the colour of his gums which were a pale pink. They suggested he be taken to emergency right away. After heading to our emergency vet, we were advised that his abdomen was full of fluid and suspected internal bleeding. He was very weak and they were concerned as to whether he would make it. After performing X-rays and further tests, a mass on his spleen was detected and we were advised that it had ruptured along with the likely prognosis. We chose to progress with surgery and the splenectomy, still hoping with all our might that the mass may just be benign. At this stage, there were no other masses present on any other organs so once again, we were hoping that was a small sign that the mass may be benign.. Harley needed a blood transfusion during surgery and was in hospital for a few days before he was able to come home.. Within a few days of being home, he started to gain back his appetite and boy is he still loving his food right now! After a 2 week gruelling wait for results, we were told today that Harley has Hemangiosarcoma and that the cells appear to be moving quickly 💔.
We are now planning how we prepare for a peaceful at home euthanasia for our Harley 🙏. It terrifies us not knowing when his time will be up and having to then rush him to the vet to be euthanised. Harley has always been an anxious dog and does not cope being at the vet. As heart wrenching as losing Harley will be, our primary focus is to soak up the little time we have left with him and to provide him with the most peaceful and comfortable goodbye possible.
Thank-you for your blog. It has really helped us along our journey with Harley as we prepare to say goodbye to him ❤️
Dear Theresa,
My heart goes out to you as you face the emotional days ahead with Harley. I am sorry he has received this devastating diagnosis but am glad you have some answers and can make sure he remains comfortable and happy for as long as possible. Thank you for sharing his story with us as it helps others to know they are not alone. Harley’s legacy will not be forgotten. Wishing you strength and peace as you navigate this unknown path. ♥
I’m laying in bed at 5am in Japan on the first evening of my honeymoon, 5 days after getting married, with my Mom at an animal hospital at 6pm in the Midwest in the United States.
We said a happy goodbye to our dog Sidney and my mom at the airport about 36 hours ago. Woke up to a call from my mom at 3am. Now he’s laying on a cold table, barely alive. A mass on his spleen ruptured, and he has severe internal bleeding. They are now reviewing the x-rays to let us know if the cancer has spread already but said the outlook isn’t great.
How could I ever say bye over FaceTime? How could I ever live with myself knowing we didn’t do all we could? How could I put my 11 year old dog through the pain of a month long surgery recovery and just a couple more weeks of life just so that I can fly home and get to see him?
Dear Becca,
My heart aches for you and this tragic situation you were forced to be a part of. I am so sorry for what happened with your beloved Sidney. I am not sure how things played out. But I am praying you have found some peace and comfort amidst the sorrow. Wishing you happiness in your new marriage. Bless you. ♥
This Blog has helped me understand and cope with what happened to my dog. My dog was the best of the best- I know people say that, and I’ve had pets growing up, but not like the bond I had with Ky(my dog). I do not know how to put into words how much that dog meant to me and I him- he was hte most loyal dog (he would lay by me in bed always even if I slept in super late- he would never leave my side), extremely kind- to all other humans and dogs- he got nicknamed the “smiling dog” at doggy day care. protective as well but never in an aggressive way- just always checking who was trying to play with mom! he was nearly 12 years old.
I lost kyguy about a month ago and have been absolutely devestated and am still trying to grasp what happened. My Husband said he had been acting “weird” on a thursday night but he seemed ok to me (I got home late from work tho).. I came home on Friday over my lunch break to check on him- and noticed he didn’t seem to want to go on our normal walks- we didnt make it far but none the less he was chipper on the way back, I thought maybe he was having trouble with bowel movements and so that night I gave him a full thing of pumpkin-he gobbled it right up–was eating/drinking normal. next day seemed fine- it was raining so we couldn’t walk him but he was acting like himself- I didn’t notice anything wrong. Saturday night he seemed lathargic- but still came up to bed with me- would come when I called-etc. I told my husband we’d try and walk him the next morning and if he wasn’t feeing any better and I would take him to the vet if he wasn’t shaping up.
the next morning goes down as one of the worst for me. I got up and noticed he wasn’t in bed by me-very unliked him—- i came downstairs and he was lying on the floor. I noticed he had had 2 accidents in the house (v unlike him). My husband and I tried to get him up to go potty and he could barely walk- my husband was shouldering him on each side. I knew we had to get to the vet and fast. I had researched previously old age in dogs and heard they got diabetes- so honestly thought he was going into diabetic shock. We went to the closest emergency vet nearby cuz his vet wasn’t open and I could tell something was seriously wrong. By the time we got there, he could not stand or get up- We had to carry him into the waiting room to which we laid him on the floor. Luckily- the staff acted fast – checked his gums (i never knew to do this) and asked if he ran out of oxygen if I wanted to them to do CPR- I said yes.
The next thing I know i’m being pulled into a room with a vet whom I’ve never met explaining that my dog has a tumor in his spleen and is bleeding out. he said there was an 85% chance that this tumor was hemangiosarcoma- and that with Surgery and chemo they would give him about 3-6 months to live. I asked for any success rates- none- minus one dog that was 10 and had a benign tumor. , I asked for other options to make him comfortable- none. I asked for ANY other options- none. The vet prompted to consider euthanizia. the surgery also cost about 8-10k. The vet told us the first step in pursuing the surgery was to do an ultrasound to see if surgery would even be feasible. I opted for the ultra sound, for $1200. The vet came back, with a rather grim look on his face, telling us that hte ultra sound had revealed several light ups around the spleen, and then he saw a couple lesions on his liver- which he believed was the cancer. he told us the 85% chance this was hemangiosarcoma bumped up to 95-100%- and if the lesions were what he believed they were- and with everything else—-Ky’s time frame left with us just went from a possibility of 3-6 months to 1-3 months “if that”
He left us devestated, crushed, and in shock. I was worried we weren’t even going to be able to make a decision before he died because I could tell her was dying rapidly. The vet didn’t talk to us much about risks of the surgery- but I was so worried he wouldn’t make it through or would have serious complications due to his old age (almost 12-i had read german shepherds normally dont live much past 13)— the vet said that dogs can “bounce back” and can survive the surgery fine- — but I was very concerned with how old he was- how much it looked like he was actively dying. I also worried about the next month— my husband and I both work in office and I would hate for my bub to die if one of us wasn’t home-or at work— and we were supposed to be out of town as well. So in the end- in a manner of like 30 min- we opted to put him down. =( I asked the vet if its’ what he would do, he told me yes.
Since then i’ve been a total wreck. I had no idea this was even a thing. literally never heard of it. I had googled what german shepherds typically die from in old age and a lot of things said hip or elbow displaysia so I spent effort making sure he had happy healthy joints! At his vet check up in June they gave him glowing reviews! I event “felt” for tumors from time to time and never felt anything.
I have also been plagued with what-ifs, second guessing myself, and wondering if I should have tried the surgery. I worried about doing the surgery though and them him bleedding out if i was at work or out of town. or not with him. I’m thankful that my husband and i were both there with him, hugging him in his final moments. but i have had a hard time shaking what-if’s because I loved that dog so much and would love for him to be here with me.
It’s been 4 weeks now and i’m starting to feel more at peace we did the right thing but it kills me I had no other viable, good options- every other pet i’ve had we’ve been able to do fluids/medications/etc to give them a little bit more quality of life. I miss him so so much, but am thankful he lived a long, for the most part very healthy life, and we were able to be with him every step of the way.
Thanks for sharing your story and for others sharing theirs- it helps to know that we are not alone.
Dear Elissa,
My heart aches for you with your loss of Ky. It sounds like he was a once in a lifetime kind of pup and I can only imagine how much you miss him. I agree, you made the right decision to let go and give your boy freedom from his suffering and pain. It is clear he lived a happy life full of love and I am certain he knew how much he meant to you. I hope with time your heart will heal. May Ky’s memory live on and be a blessing in your life.
We had almost the exact same experience and our beautiful Benji passed away on Friday in my arms. He was a 13 year old Bichon cross and we’re all heartbroken.
Dear Kelly,
I am so sorry for your loss of Benji. Wishing you comfort and peace for your heart. ♥
Our experience this last 16 hours sounds identical to yours. Our beautiful Max (Shepherd/retriever mix) just experienced this scenario overnight. I’ve been up with him all night and we received the same news at emergency vet this am. I am a RN of 30 years and suspected he had bloat. Vet was gracious enough to show me the huge mass and free fluid on the ultrasound. We are sick but know we made the best decision for him. He just turned 11. Hugs to you! Thanks for sharing your story.
Dear Kasey,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Max. Praying for your comfort and peace. ♥
I let my dog Roxie go 5 weeks ago. She too had vomited several times off and on and had a bad case of diarrhea a few weeks before she died. The first time she vomited, she acted just fine again the next day so we assumed it was something she ate and were not overly concerned. When it happened again about a week later, I took her in but waited for the next available appointment, several days from the time she had vomited. The vet took a blood and urine sample. The next day, she vomited again and this time she defecated right beside me, without making any effort to get up at all. I called my husband who came home from work and I rushed her to the ER vet. They found internal bleeding from a ruptured mass on her spleen. I was told there was a 50/50 chance it was cancerous. I could either have them do surgery, which I was told that Roxie was not a good candidate for due to the internal bleeding, or I could let her go right then and there. I let her go. I keep questioning though, should I have done the surgery? what if it wasn’t cancerous and she could have survived the surgery and we could have many more years together? She was only 9 which I know isn’t young but she wasn’t that old. I’m still crying every day and feel like I will never be at peace with this. I love her so much. I feel terrible that I didn’t give her the attention she deserved in her last few weeks because my husband and I had our first baby end of July. Roxie was my original baby and before my baby and husband came along, it was just me and Rox. When she first got sick I even wondered and worried if it was because she was feeling left out and was depressed. I keep wondering, if the splenic mass was benign, would she have still been sick or was the vomiting and diarrhea an indication that it was certainly malignant?
Thanks for your blog above and thanks in advance if you can respond to this.
Dear Andrea,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Roxie. It is normal to ponder the “what ifs” while grieving and I understand why you are conflicted about your decision to say goodbye. But I truly feel you made the most loving choice, and I would have done the same for one of my own. It is clear Roxie was dearly loved and I am certain she knew and had no doubts about it. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal and you can find comfort in knowing she had a full and happy life. May her memory live on and be a blessing to you and your family. ♥
Our sweet baby Kobe recently fought this nasty disease. He was a Jack Russell, Black Lab, German Shepard mix. He was the sweetest, kindest dog in the world. One day out of the blue, he stopped eating his dry dog food. We started noticing labored breathing but we thought maybe he was just exhausted from our long walks and playing outside. We tried to get him into the vet, but our current vet would no longer see us because we had moved out of the county. So, we made an appointment with a local vet but it was 6 weeks out into mid November. In the meantime, we switched him to a moist dog food and he seemed to enjoy that until he didn’t. We knew we had to get him seen, so we called in a favor to a vet someone in our family knew and got him seen the next day. Kobe walked into that vet appointment so scared. His bloodwork showed extremely low platelets and severe anemia. X-rays showed a bleeding splenic mass, nodules all over his lungs, and blood in his abdomen. The vet said she did not recommend surgery due to Kobe’s age of almost 11 years and the nodules already present on his lungs. We left the vet on Tuesday devastated but we took our baby home hoping for a few more weeks with him. He seemed like a puppy again after that appointment. We started making him burger and rice and adding gabapentin to it for his pain. He was playful and joyous and spoiled for a few days. And then on Friday, 3 days after his appointment, he stopped eating again. This time he was breathing really hard and hiding from us, drinking water constantly and could not get comfortable, even struggling to go to the bathroom outside. We knew it was time but in our own selfishness, we could not accept it. The next morning, I called the vet and we took him in to be euthanized. He left this earth with us rubbing his neck and kissing his head like we had always done. We had this beautiful boy for almost 11 years and we can’t believe it happened so fast. He was sweet and kind, loved our children. Our surviving dog is sad and our family is devastated. Watching him leave us and burying him in our yard was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life. I am full of sadness, wondering if he would have had a few more good days left, but I know I had to put my own wants aside and do what was best for my boy. Kobe deserved that much. Thank you for reading my story.
Dear Amanda,
I am so sorry for your loss of Kobe. I know you would have done anything to give him more time but what a blessing you shared almost 11 years together. It is clear he was dearly loved, and I am certain your presence was a comfort during his last moments. Thank you for sharing Kobe’s story with us. He will definitely not be forgotten. May his memory stay with you always and bring you joy. Wishing you all the best as you continue life’s journey. ♥
My dear sweet boy Fergus, 11 year old Irish Terrier, is currently at the vet recovering from surgery to remove a mass from his abdomen.
I’d been on 3 weeks leave last month and returned home to find Fergus looking very mildly chubby but I just assumed he’d been fed too much by his carers while I was overseas. He was still behaving normally, enthusiastic for walks, maybe slightly fussier with breakfast but he has been that way for the last few years as the weather gets warmer.
This Sunday, I groomed Fergus, we went to visit my Mum as she’s in care and he had an important job to do in cheering her up after she had a bad fall 2 weeks ago. Then we went to a dog friendly event at a local pup where Fergus gobbled down a doggo-burger (hamburger slider made especially for dogs). I noticed in the evening that his stomach looked swollen – as if he were heavily pregnant with a litter of pups. So first thing Monday morning I called the vet and we went in earky afternoon.
They did blood tests – all ok save for mild anaemia – & a spot ultrasound which showed a big mass in his abdominal cavity. They asked me to come back yesterday (Tuesday) with Fergus fasted so they could do full diagnostic ultrasound and chest xray. I was warned that the tumour could potentially rupture overnight. We spent a good portion of the evening with Fergus lying on my belly while I lay on the couch. He ate his favourite dinner – roast chicken.
I took Fergus back to the vet at 8am Tuesday. At around midday, the vet called and confirmed it definitely is a tumour. It was very large but did not appear to be bleeding, and his lungs were clear. I was told I had to make the decision whether to operate as they didn’t want to keep him under anaesthetic longer than necessary, or wake him up if I were to decide to operate as putting him under a 2nd time would be very tough on him. If I decided not to operate, they would not wake him up at all and would euthenaise him while under anaesthetic.
I rang and had a frantic talk to my sister – she lives interstate. I decided to give Fergus every chance and opted for surgery.
He came through surgery and has been in care since, while he has his vitals monitored, stays hydrated by IV fluid, they monitor him eating etc. I got to go and give him goodnight pats and tell him what a good brave boy he is & how much I love him last night, and lie with him for 15 minutes at the vet this morning.
I am still waiting biopsy results and should know by end of week if not early next week if its this nasty cancer. I hope above anything else it is not, but I feel sick to my stomach now knowing it probably is.
I love Fergus more than anything. I am struggling to come to terms with how quickly he got sick when he was otherwise such a healthy boy – we were only at the vet late August for his annual heartworm vaccine and he had a full health check including palpating of abdomen, with nothing abnormal found.
I wish I had been given more realistic statistics about survival post surgery if it is this aggressive cancer, and been told that it probably is this type of cancer. Had I appreciated the bleakness of the situation, I don’t think I would have opted to put Fergus through such a big surgery. It’s eating me up that I may have made the wrong decision and have put him through needless trauma with so little benefit. When I made the decision I thought the chances of a good outcome were more balanced. I wish I sought a second opinion, or had more information to hand… Time pressure was just so urgent., and I didn’t take him to the vet Tuesdsy morning expecting that he may have to be euthanaised on the spot. If I knew 24 hours ago what I know now, I would have rushed to the vet and held my little redhead while they euthanaised him and he peacefully went over the rainbow bridge. I feel so selfish, that I have let Fergus down, that he may spend his last days feeling horrible after a major surgery. I cant stop crying but I am trying to focus on the fact Fergus will be on pain relief, and we will get more days together. I just hope they are good days. I don’t want him to suffer…
Dear Nina,
My heart goes out to you as you navigate this difficult path. I can feel the emotion in your words, and it is very clear just how much you love Fergus. I honestly think you made a good choice in opting for the surgery. There is still hope that his nasty tumor was benign, and he could have many happy days ahead. Hear me when I say you have not let him down and are making the best choices you can to offer him the best quality of life. I pray you receive good news when the biopsy results are finalized. Hoping Fergus’ recovery will be quick and smooth. Wishing you both all the best. Bless you. ♥
Biscuit had an unknown didn’t show up in blood work or doctor visits tumor in her spleen and it ruptured just after midnight on the 21st Sept. she was running around chasing the cat and eating 2 innout puppy pattiesthen sudden collapse with pale gums. I had to carry her to the car. a very sinking feeling. they took her right out of my arms at the all night vet ..another bad sign….we couldn’t get money out of the bank and had to wait til 5 for their accountant to verify our check, but at least they had her down in the exam room with us we took turns holding the oxygen mask on her until five. I didn’t know then we were going to lose her later or I probably would have been bawling as it was we were holding out hope so we’re able to reassure her with calmness.
after the check was approved they did housands of dollars of diagnostics (at hospital care llevels) later they explained her spleen had a tumor that had ruptured. they said surgery had a fifty percent chance of her dying. they also said would cost 9000. too much. in desperation I called her regular vet one we started using a year ago I didn’t know what to expect but was desperate told them the situation how 9000 was too much and can Dr. Kim help her? even though it was afternoon he said he could, but they didn’t have blood for transfusion, but the all night vet place did have ability to do so it was agreed she would get it from all night vet then be transported to her regular vet. it won’t be complete until six when Dr. Kim closes. I was so scared. but he agreed to stay late with his staff if we paid after hours fee of 400. what a relief. whole she got the transfusion which took hours I found a pet ambulance so she could be transported in oxygen tent. another 750 but I couldn’t take the chance and she is worth it. in for a penny in for a pound I told the animal paramedic as I prepaid. the transport went great and they took her in to prep. I didn’t go talk to her I just said from the exam room we live you they’re going to help you. it was shocking how everything was slipping away so fast when no one ever said that was something that could happen to dogs. even if their blood work was fine, I had thought that meant she was healthy. I was so shocked. the hardest to grasp was that up until a few hours before shed been walking playing eating chasing and now seemed so far gone. whole his staff prepped her Dr Kim our vet said if he starts the surgery he sees that it is only the spleen with a one off tumor he will be able to just remove the spleen and tie off the vessels and she would be home with us tonight. she wouldn’t live too long after usually 1-3 months is all but we would have some time.. but if he saw that it had spread to the liver or other parts it was a bad prognosis with no real chance for recovery to pain and bleeding free state so then if that is the case he would recommend euthanasia. because she would suffer. he warned us that was actually more likely. but if course I believed my biscuit would be the lucky one. the vet said he would call us after they started the surgery if they found it had spread and we had to decide about euthanasia and he would bring her back out of anesthesia and we could say goodbye. However once they started the surgery he saw much more was wrong. and they called us. it was the saddest thing in my life but it meant a lot to me to tell her everything I felt looking in her beautiful loving eyes. my heart was breaking. I focussed on her though and not me or the past or the future but just on her and me in the eternal space that love exists in. that is what helped me thinking just of that moment as forever. like I would want if I was about to depart this world.
and then they said it actually helps your dog if you stay while they give them the euthanasia so we did and again I just thought what would I want if I was departing and I would want those I lived to stay with me so it was about her.
Biscuit you are our doggy forever and we will always love you.
it’s long feel free to edit I dont know if it helps just to know it happened to others or it helps someone know this potential emergency could happen with no warning really. I would just say you will be strong enough to get through it and whatever happens if you focus on being with your dog in a transcendent lovng way staying in the moment you will be at peace later. on that emergency day just be there for your dog that is what they want
Dear Sarah,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Biscuit. You did everything you could to give her the best chance at survival and ultimately made a loving choice to offer her peace and freedom from suffering. I am certain she knew how much you loved her and that your presence was a comfort in her final moments. Thank you for being willing to share her story with us. Biscuit will never be forgotten. May her memory live on and be a blessing in your life. ♥
Nina – My dog is in his final time with hemangiosarcoma and I plan to share the full story here soon as these stories have been so helpful for me. But, as I see this post is recent and Fergus may still be with you, I wanted to let you know how that surgery can still be a good option, even for malignant hemangiosarcoma, and you shouldn’t second guess. There are risks to every decision and choosing one you think is right, is right. Even if Fergus still passed, you can feel you did the best with what you knew, and he did have a chance. There are new things being learned every day about this disease. My beloved dog Patton had merely a cough and we took him to urgent care in June and quickly realized he had a bleeding mass. We did surgery and it turned out to be hemangiosarcoma. It wasn’t organ specific. It was so metastasized that the surgeon called me mid surgery to say it was everywhere and it wasn’t even the mass that was bleeding. We still took him home and I too had the fear the surgery recovery would be his last days. It wasn’t. We tried chemo treatments but he didn’t tolerate them well (very sick, was non shedding so lost all his hair) so quit after two (late August). We gave him Trementinib and Yunan Baiyo at home and he had 4 really great months where he was more energetic than he had been in a long time even (he just turned 12). Sadly he is succumbing now, but I don’t regret anything we’ve done. There is hope everywhere – of saving a dog from pain with euthanasia, of happy months after surgery. You had hope and you followed it. Sending you hope for a future with wonderful memories of Fergus, which I am sure will come.
Dear Allie,
Thank you for offering comfort and support to others in your time of hardship. I am sorry Patton is facing his final days but glad you have been able to make the most of them. Wishing you strength to continue down this emotional path. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
This post has just helped me tremendously. I just had to say goodbye to my Great Dane a few days ago who would have been 12 in just one month. At such an old age for a Dane I knew his time was coming so I was so intent on looking for any unusual symptom or bump because I wanted to be prepared for when his time had come. Sometimes I felt like I made too many vet appointments for smaller things but I wanted to ensure I caught anything early. He just received “perfect” bloodwork at his biannual senior appointment in August and other than some mobility issues, he was super healthy. And then the other night he was acting a little nauseous, breathing a little harder than usual but other than that acting completely normal, still demanding his nighttime treats. The next morning he was suddenly super lethargic, anxious and when I took him outside he just wanted to lay down and I had to use a lot of strength to get him to stand. We rushed to the vet and nothing showed up on his xrays so I was little relieved but then the ultrasound showed a lot of bleeding and what was most likely hemangiosarcoma. It was such a hard decision but I decided to not go through with the surgery. My vet was honest about the possible outcomes and we decided it would be too much for the old man to go through. Despite the usual grief of losing him, I have been struggling because I was always watching for signs of anything wrong and then of course it was something that you usually can’t detect early that took him down so devastatingly sudden. I have also been feeling a little guilty, wondering if I should have gone for the surgery but this post just gave me so much comfort that I did the right thing for him. So again, thank you.
I apologize for the rambling but I think typing this post is helping me out 🙂
p.s. my dog used your toe grips and they helped him so much in his final months
Dear Cameron,
I am so sorry for the loss of your Dane. Almost 12 years together is amazing! What a blessing to have had him by your side for so long. I am glad the article was helpful and offered some comfort and reassurance. You gave your sweet boy a great life and a peaceful ending as well. I’m not sure there is more anyone could ask. Thank you for sharing your story with our readers (and for the positive feedback about ToeGrips!). Wishing you nothing but the best as you continue life’s journey.
About seven months ago, they found a splenic mass in my 11 year old dog. The doctor said we have an option of getting surgery but he didn’t recommend it. We went to another vet and they said the same thing although they did tell us there’s no way to diagnose whether the mass is malignant or benign by examination, nor should you do a biopsy, it may burst the mass.
For the past seven months she has not been feeling well, up and down, fever, not eating well. We decided to get an evaluation at a real veterinarian hospital. We met Dr. Swartz and he explained everything to us. After speaking with him we realized that the only option was to do the surgery or she would surely die. This was the only way to find out if it was malignant or benign. .The doctor was amazing and the surgery went very well. She was up and walking within one day and ready to run within seven days after surgery. Of course, we still had one more week until the sutures were coming out, so we had to keep her calm. It was just so wonderful seeing that her pain was all gone and she is back to her normal self. We definitely understand that it may be malignant, but we will not know until the pathology comes back. We were very happy to hear that it hadn’t spread according to the ultrasound. The pathology will be the final answer as to what either it is cancerous or benign. My fingers are crossed and I am waiting patiently. It is definitely a big expense, but I would absolutely recommend getting the surgery. Seeing my dog back to her happy normal self is worth every dollar..
Hi Janine,
I am glad to hear the surgery was successful and your girl made a full recovery! Hoping you receive good news from the pathology report. It is so nice to hear these success stories. Thank you for sharing. Feel free to leave an update as things move forward. Best wishes to you and your sweet girl.
Thank you for this. I cannot read all of the comments because it is hurting me too much and I am honestly painfully sobbing right now. My Dozer is sleeping on the couch across from me now, he’s a beautiful blue pit who just turned 13 in August. I am forever grateful for all the time I have had with him but I have no idea how I am supposed to go on without him. My fiancé got him when he was 8 weeks old and I have been in their lives for 9 years. I’ve never loved anyone or anything like I love our pup. We’ve gone through having small mast cell tumors removed from his legs and smaller surgeries and I have always been beside myself leaving him at the vet because I can’t stand imagining coming back to get him and he’s not okay. I knew his stomach had began to look somewhat odd but then in July this year I woke up one morning and he was not okay. I knew something was wrong and I took him to the vet. I’ve no idea how we didn’t catch it sooner but the tumor is huge. All we can do is keep him comfortable. At this point it’s so large and we cannot afford surgery. I actually took him to the vet the day after I lost my job. We bought our home specifically for him, we didn’t want to have anyone say a word about his breed and we wanted him to have a big yard so we decided to buy our house so he would have a home. Now I am home with him every single day and I am thankful for the time with him but it is also the hardest thing to watch my best friend, the only one in the world who has never ever left my side for a second, slowly go downhill. He is still getting around and has good days but I am the one always here so I see all the bad and the good and it is tearing me apart. I never thought I would think “I wish it were me instead” about a pup, but I do. I’d take it from him in a heartbeat if I could just so he’d never have to feel bad at all. I apologize for going on and on, I am just struggling with this and I read this because I haven’t ever had to euthanize a pet before so I haven’t known really what to look for or how to help him. I have just been terrified he’s going to pass and I’m not going to be with him and I don’t want him to be alone or scared. When I read that you also have a Dozer I lost it. Thank you for sharing your experiences and explaining what to look for. I know a lot of people think I am a little crazy about him but I don’t have any children, he’s my child.
Dear Katie,
My heart aches for you as you face this emotional decision for your beloved Dozer. I know you would do anything to give him more time and take his pain away. It is clear how much you love him, and I am certain he knows. Try to make the most of these last days together and take advantage of every moment you are gifted. Praying for your strength and peace. Bless you both. ♥
I am going thru the same emotions is you pup still with you? I’m sick to my stomach a nervous wreck our sweet girl too😢🙏
Dear Debbie,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation. Wishing you comfort and strength.
Hello, Sunday october 1st we had to make the decision to put my 10yr old lab down. Phoebe was the sweetest and most beutiful soul I could’ve asked to grow up with. Im 17 now and she has been by my side every single day for the past 10 years, no matter what I did or where I went she would be fast behind me. But one Saturday Night I got a text that she had went outside and just collapsed in the lawn. My father took her back inside and she laid down while breathing very heavy. After a couple minutes of resting she got up again and went to the door. She then went outside and collapsed again. I raced home from school and we took her to the vet at midnight. The vet told us she has hemangiosarcoma with a heart rate of 200bpm and we have the 3 options. They said surgury (which we just cant afford), Pallitive (we went with that night), or to put her down. The vet did say that she is way happier and excited than most patients they see with this and thats why they even offered the pallitve treatment. Once we got home she would barely be able to get onto the couch without assistance and could barely catch a breath. When I woke up next to her in the morning she was even worse. Wouldn’t eat, wont get up, and is breathing so fast. We managed to get the pain killers, and herb pills into her mouth that we got the night before. After 2 hours she started to eat, walk and breath normal. She became herself again and had such a big smile on her. But at the same time, she was very bloated. My dad had already kind of decided after the very painful night and morning of her suffering on the ground that it was time to say goodbye. He said she’s not living much of a life like that and it would be better for her not to be in pain. I was a wreck, and frankly still am but all I keep thinking is that we did the wrong thing. Should we have stuck with the pallitive for a little, or did we do the right thing for her? We did have another vet confirm the diagnosis before we made the move to say goodbye.
Dear Toby,
I am so sorry for your loss of Phoebe. It sounds like she was a once in a lifetime kind of pup and what a blessing you were able to share 10 years of your life together. You absolutely did the right thing by offering your sweet girl rest and freedom from her suffering. It is ok to say goodbye before all joy and happiness is gone. I like to think we give them a great life and an even better goodbye. ♥ I can only imagine how strange it is without her by your side, but I also know her memory will live on and stay with you forever. May the memories of the good days bring you comfort and joy. Wishing you all the best!
It’s almost 1am and I’m laying here sobbing. My rescue lab/pit mix, Mocha, is roughly 8 years old, perfectly healthy, and very active. After a full day that included a car ride and a playdate with two of his doggy friends, Mocha uncharacteristically took himself to another room and laid down trembling. I checked his gums and rushed him to the emergency vet. He was at the vet less than an hour after he finished zooming and playing in the yard. Vet found tumor on his spleen that has ruptured and is bleeding internally. Chest x-ray is clear. They are transfusing him and keeping him stable until a surgeon arrives in the morning to do a splenectomy. I am hanging on to the very small hope that it is benign. I’m 6.5m pregnant and Mocha is supposed to be the best big brother ever. Plus, he was abused for 2 years, then at the shelter for 3 years, and hasn’t even been with me for 3 years yet. He deserves to have more good than bad years. My heart is breaking as I prepare for the worst.
Dear Lia,
My heart goes out to you as you face this uncertain future for Mocha. I can only imagine how worried you must be, but it sounds like he is in good hands and getting the attention he needs. I pray his surgery went well today and that he will have a smooth recovery. Hoping the pathology report will bring good news. Feel free to leave an update and let us know how Mocha is doing. Wishing you both many happy days ahead and congratulations on welcoming a new baby very soon. ♥
I’m so sorry to hear about Mocha and hope she pulls through this. My dog also became sick out of nowhere in a similar manner on July 30th and she got her splenectomy the next day. The results came back as HSA 5 days later. For almost 2 weeks, I was a crazy person digging through everything I could read on the internet and came upon Dr. Buzby’s posts. Not only am I grateful for her generosity in sharing her personal experiences with sweet Lulu and Swiper (they were so helpful and I cried my eyeballs out reading through them), but it was here that I came upon a comment that gave me a sliver of hope–the fact that there are holistic ways of treating this horrible illness (success rates differ but my dog is surviving through a couple of bleeds right now thanks to their sharing of experiences and recommendations). I recommend that you check out a facebook group called Hemangiosarcoma Diet and Supplement Protocols (https://www.facebook.com/groups/422464568087083/). I also learned that jumping up and down the couch/sofa or running can cause life-threatening bleeds (that’s what happened 2 weeks ago for me and I thought I was going to lose her). When the bleeding stops, my dog is her happy self. However, the bleeds do seem to be coming in shorter intervals these days (she’s just passed the 2-month mark). When she’s not bleeding, I have her on yunnan baiyao, I’m Yunity turkey tail, milk thistle, coq10, and b12 (also I’ve stopped giving her kibble and am feeding her Dr. Harvey’s raw vibrance/paradigm with cooked beef). I wish you and Mocha all the best.
Hi Nayoun,
Thank you for sharing your experience and for the positive feedback about the article! I am sorry your sweet girl is battling this terrible disease but so glad the holistic treatment is giving her a better quality of life. Wishing you and your pup many happy days ahead. Bless you both!
I’m using the same thing 🙏
Lia,
I am sorry for your loss. We lost our 12 year old Shar-Pei mix to hemangiosarcoma of the spleen August 26th. We had been so focused on her, we didn’t even realize it was national dog day.
I bent over to pet our dog Pea on June 27th and noticed bruising on the majority of her abdomen. We took her to the vet, and unfortunately they didn’t recognize it for what it was. We scheduled a follow up appointment and the bruising went away after a couple of days. The veterinarian at the follow up appointment noted some swelling and said to bring her back for another follow up in three weeks. Some light bruising came back. We went to the follow up appointment on August 24th. The vet xrayed her lungs, and they were clear. She did another view of the spleen and found a tumor the size of an orange. We were told she had maybe two months, and because of the bleeding the cancer had likely spread. We made plans to spend quality time with her and have her euthanized at home after Labor Day. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be. We woke up on the 26th to her whining and limping on the morning of August 26th. Her lymphnode in her groin was swollen causing pain and possibly cutting off blood circulation. I had watched both my best friend and his dog both suffer miserably and die of stomach cancer. I knew I didn’t want that for our Pea dog. We miss her terribly and carry the guilt of euthizing her.. Believe when us when we say we know what you are going through. We have filled our bedroom with her photos of happier times. Videos are on a thumb drive in the TV to watch as a reminder of how special she was. I suggest reading The Gift of Death on the Vetitude. Take care.
Dear Stephen,
My heart goes out to you with your loss of Pea. I am sorry things progressed so quickly and you were forced to say goodbye in order to spare her unnecessary suffering. It is clear she was dearly loved, and I am certain she knew. Thank you for sharing your story with us. May Pea’s memory be with you always. Wishing you peace and comfort.
It has been 21 months since my dog Nyko had his raptured spleen removed due to Hemangiosarcoma . A few days ago I noticed that he behaved the same way when his spleen raptured. I noticed his gums looked almost white. But in the morning he was back to be normal. I also noticed that at night he would have soft coughs for a few minutes before going back to sleep. I feel that maybe it is back. I don’t know how much time we have left with him. I am taking him to the vet this weekend for the checkup. My vet still in disbelieve that he has lasted for 21 months without any symptoms. I did give him turkey tail mushroom based pills right after his spleen removal surgery.
Hi Alex,
I understand your concern with the return of these worrisome symptoms in Nyko. I am glad you have an appointment to get him evaluated this weekend. Wishing you strength to face whatever lies ahead and comfort for your heart. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Dear Alex, did you give chemotherapy to your dog who lived 21 months after having his spleen removed. My dog has just had his spleen removed a week ago and I am trying to make a decision as to whether to give him chemotherapy or not. Regards Brent
My almost 13 year old pit/lab mix Shelby had been acting a little more tired than usual a few weeks ago. We took her to the vet, they said she had a fever and the results of her blood test were her white blood cells were a bit high. They thought it was an infection so they put her on antibiotics. After about 5 days and no improvement we took her back and had X-rays done. They said her spleen/liver looked enlarged so they would want to do an Ultrasound. A few days later they did they ultrasound and said she has cancer which they think started in the spleen and had spread to her liver. They said it was all over her abdomen and there wasn’t anything they could do. Said to just take her home and keep her comfortable. Throughout this she wasn’t eating much, so we were feeding her steak, salmon, chicken and ground turkey just to put something in her stomach. She was very lethargic, had a hard time getting up, falling down etc. We made the appointment yesterday to put her down earlier today. It was such a difficult decision. What made it a little easier for me was thinking there was never going to be that “perfect” time to do it. She lived a great life full of people and 5 other dog siblings. The night before we put her down we had a BBQ and she was in the den on the couch and we were in the kitchen. She was able to get up on her own and walk into the kitchen to be with everyone. We put her bed down and let her hang out with us all. Just the effort she put in to walk in to be with everyone made my heart melt. She was put down today, at home with her family surrounding her. I could see in her eyes she was ready. We talked to her and pet her until she was gone. She went so quick and was so peaceful. She’s been such a big part of my life and was such a popular dog with friends and family. People coming every day to say goodbye to her. I’m sure she loved all the pets and attention she got the past few days. She will be loved and missed for the rest of our lives.
Tim,
What a beautiful tribute to Shelby. Thanks for sharing her story. I’m so glad she felt up to joining you in the kitchen during the BBQ and that you were able to say goodbye to her at home, surrounded by her favorite people. She was clearly a treasured member of the family and an amazing dog in general. Sending love as you grieve this loss. ❤️
We had to put our lab/pit mix shadow down on June 16th this year. She was 13 and in great shape for her age until she became sick out of nowhere. She would not eat or want to walk on occasion for about 2 weeks until one day we took her out and she was limping badly and had a swollen belly. Long story short we took her to the hospital and discovered she had stomach tumors that had bled out. Surgery and chemo was $15,000 and they estimated her life expectancy to be 6-12 months. So we had to make the painful decision to put her down. It was all so sudden, one moment she’s on a walk with us and 3 hours later we’re ending her life. Words cannot describe the amount of pain I felt and still feel. I had suicidal thoughts for 3 weeks and was constantly crying at work. She had been with me for almost half my life, one of the few real friends I’ve had in my life. I felt awful for putting her down and not going with surgery. The guilt was eating me up knowing she could still be with me. The empty feeling when your companion is gone is so painful I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. The only thing that brings me comfort is knowing that she had a wonderful life and was embraced in loving arms in her last moments.
Oh Walter, your pain is so evident in this post and my heart breaks for you. I’m so thankful that you are still here with us. Keep wading through the grief day by day or hour by hour because you matter.❤️ Please don’t hesitate to reach out to a pet loss counselor or to call one of the pet loss hotlines (see link below). Losing a dog so rapidly is incredibly difficult to process and beyond heart breaking. It is clear how much you loved her and that she had a wonderful life with you. You absolutely made the right choice to set her free, and I’m thankful you were able to hold her until the end. Thinking about you!
Pet loss resources: OSU Pet Loss Support and Online Resources
This site is so helpful and I thank the contributors for their helpful tips even in their time of grief. My constant companion my 10 year old Norfolk Terrier was having short shivering, fits once or twice a night, reaching vomited his breakfast once and had blackish poo for a fortnight( now improving more normal). He’s on hydrolysed protein kibble, some raw carrots and cooked plain vegetables but we cut out the sprats and Yumove as a result of this he’d been doing well on them before these shivering fits..
A CT scan last week showed that he has multiple splenic nodules under 5mm and a enlarged spleen that was bright on ct – the fna sample was benign luckily but now I fear that these lesions will grow and bleed without any treatment. The spleen imaging looked like a starry sky so highly vascularised. platelets are normal.
Are multiple nodules under 5mm a precursor to anything or, as he is an older dogs is it possible that all the nodules are benign? I was distraught and now I have accepted the situation I’m very anxious not to miss out any action that can help now but it seems there’s nothing!
Hi Mara,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior terrier. Unfortunately, the presence of multiple nodules and/or size does not lend any clues as to if this is a benign or cancerous condition. The only way to get a definitive diagnosis (and prognosis) is to have the spleen removed and send off tissue samples for pathology to review. My best recommendation is to continue to monitor this closely with your vet and have them give you guidance as to when surgery would be indicated. Hoping for the best and wishing you and your sweet boy many happy days ahead.
I put my beloved Coco to sleep yesterday. She was suddenly very picky food wise. Would only eat a little or nothing. She’s always been a chow hound so I noticed that right away. Then she started to become bloated. So I took her to the vet yesterday (Wednesday) morning. And was sent to an emergency hospital. There I was told that she had extensive tumors on her liver and spleen, and was bleeding a lot internally. And her abdomen was noticeably more distended than even that morning. The doctor recommended euthanasia right away as her blood pressure was dropping quickly. I agreed and was with her, petting her, and telling her she was the best girl ever. I’m posting this, because it has really been helpful to read all the other posts. Also posting because it was so fast. From noticing her lack of appetite to putting her to sleep was all within five days. In the morning at the 1st vet she seemed herself, wagging her tail and barking at other dogs. By the time we got to emergency she was very apathetic. I first noticed the appetite loss on Saturday, I took her to the vet early Wednesday morning and lost her mid afternoon Wednesday. Five days. I know there was nothing to be done. I only wish I’d taken her in on Monday, so the whole family could have been with her at home when she was finally put to sleep. In many ways she was my best friend. I’m still in shock.
Hi Webster,
I’m so sorry for the loss of Coco. It does seem like so often hemangiosarcoma hits out of nowhere and then rapidly becomes life-threatening. I’m glad you were able to be with her at the end but understand your sadness that the rest of the family couldn’t be there and you weren’t able to do an in-home euthanasia. It sounds like you made the best decisions you could in the middle of a very difficult and heartbreaking situation. Sending love as you grieve the loss of your sweet girl.❤️
Today has been the most shocking and painful day of my life; and it’s still going on, feels like endless stabbing into my heart. Over the last two weeks our sweet dog Joker got so skinny, lost his appetite gradually, and has been very lethargic, not getting excited for anything. And his belly seemed swollen for the last few days, but I thought it was from drinking too much water. Today we went to the vet, feeling scared but still hoping for nothing very serious. After we talked about all the symptoms, they did the blood test, bunch of other tests and x-ray; and all the results pointed out a huge splenic mass in his abdomen. First they mentioned an emergency surgery possibility, but when they did a chest xray they detected metastatic spread in the chest area already. So that brought us to the worst conversation possible; they prescribed some pain medication, appetite stimulant and said we can spend a few more days with him, keep him comfortable and in the meantime we should schedule his humane euthanasia before he faces a painful death from bleeding inside. Just in case we asked for a second opinion and the results were sent to a radiologist; unfortunately they also agreed about the diagnosis and hopelessness of the situation. Now our poor baby is laying beside me, ever since we brought him back home he couldn’t stand up at all; kept laying and has been breathing very fast for the last 5 hours at least. I’m scared that he won’t even make it to the morning at this point. It is just terrible to see him sentenced to death. Reading all the stories here and seeing lots of unfortunate pet parents going through similar scenarios has given me some emotional support, but of course it doesn’t make the pain any less. We were thinking about scheduling euthanasia towards the end of the week to spend some more time with him, but looks like it will have to be tomorrow assuming he will survive the night. When we adopted him from the shelter his age was estimated as 2; now it’s been only 4 years together and we have to say goodbye to him so unexpectedly. His abdomen got so big that it might be putting pressure on all the internal organs and causing him so much pain; hearing his helpless fast breathing and not being able to do anything about it is unbearable. I wish all the pets could live a happy healthy life without dealing with any type of sickness, they are so innocent all this pain they have to go through is not fair at all. I feel so stupid for all the small things I felt sad for in the past; now real pain slapped me in the face by taking away my sweet baby.
Dear Isabel,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Joker. I am sorry his health declined so rapidly and forced you to make this emotional decision. I know his time with you was short, but it is clear you gave him a wonderful life. He was well loved, and I am certain he knew. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. I pray with time you will find peace. May Joker’s memory live on and be a blessing in your life.
This is the first article that I’ve read that made me feel somewhat closer to peace. My little Henry (whippet lab mix) was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma on his spleen with lesions all throughout. I started noticing his appetite decline a few weeks ago and put it off as an adjustment since we just moved from Washington to Arizona around the same time. But I figured I’d try to get into a vet anyways and get some updated vaccines. After waiting nearly two weeks for an appointment and barely any food Henry had lost 9 pounds and for an under 40 plus buddy that’s a lot. I could see his ribs, hips, spine. It was heart breaking. We got in on the weekend and had an X-ray show a mass in his abdomen. After an agonizing weekend not being able to get an ultrasound or anyone to take a look at him. We finally got someone to do an ultra sound revealing the mass was 6x8x6. Huge for his little body. We declined surgery as the surgeon wasn’t comfortable due to the high risks. And took him home. I’m sitting on the floor next to him right now trying to find the courage to schedule a in home euthanasia but it hurts so much. He seems to be sort of eating and all I want is to think he’s okay. My biggest fear is letting him go too soon because sometimes he has energy and sometimes he eats. But I know that’s not enough for a good life. All these comments and this article has helped me understand more that I’m making the right choice. Doesn’t mean it’s easy or feels any better. But at least I can have some understanding that I’m not alone and this is the best route.
Thank you
Hi Andrea,
My heart goes out to you. What a challenging time between the stress of a move and finding out that your beloved Henry has a hemangiosarcoma. It is so difficult to face saying goodbye. Yet as you said, quality of life is so important. I hope that you were able to have a beautiful and meaningful goodbye with Henry and that you will be able to find peace and comfort as you grieve this loss. Thinking about you!
I’m in the same boat as everyone else’s stories right now. We noticed wheezing when my lily girl (11 year old German shepherd mix) was sleeping and got her to the vet the next day. Saw fluid around the lungs and 2 masses on her spleen. We went to an animal hospital/surgeon that was referred the next day and were going to have her spleen removed, however, they had to take the fluid off her lungs to do the surgery, and we discovered the fluid was blood which likely means more tumors in the chest area, and surgery would be essentially unnecessary torture making her last month stressful and painful. She’s totally fine now that they drained the blood from her chest cavity. They think it was a very slow bleed that took a month or more to build up cause it looked like it had been sitting there for quite a while. So now I’m torn, cause she’s eating and playing and happy, but eventually the blood will fill back up. But do I wait until signs of the wheezing or lethargy? Or go ahead and put her to sleep sooner to avoid the chance of one of the spleen tumors rupturing and causing pain? It’s such a difficult place to be in. Trying to do what’s best for her, but putting her to sleep when she’s so full of life feels wrong. But so would seeing her suffer due to a rupture we could have avoided by laying her to rest sooner, since the near end is inevitable….we just don’t know how much time it will take for symptoms from the slow bleeding to come back…I know it’s a very difficult and personal decision, but I’d love to hear what you would do if it were your pup?
Dear Kayla,
I know you are in an impossibly difficult situation right now and I wish I could tell you what is best. I try to err on the side of caution and would rather say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late. It is ok to let go while your beloved pup still has some joy in their life. I am not sure I would want to wait till all happiness is gone and only pain and suffering remains. With that being said, knowing when the “right time” comes is a grey area and is usually more of a window of time rather than a specific day. You have to trust your instincts. You know your sweet girl better than anyone. I will attach links to other articles with more information. I hope you can find the advice you need to choose the best way forward. Wishing you comfort and peace. Bless you both. ♥
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Hi everyone,
Today at 10:00 am I had to put my sweet old boxer Tyson to rest. It was a day I wasn’t prepared for. We just had him at the vet last year and all was well. Bloodwork, dental, everything was great. (He was missing some teeth, but the doctor said if he eats and drinks just fine, they are no worry) . Last night, we had our usual routine, dinner, dishes, potty, movie, then bed. It was quite a hot day so Tyson stayed in the AC for the most part. He ate some dinner, didn’t really go potty and went up to bed early, we stayed on the couch and for the first time in a long time, he came back down to sit with us. We figured maybe he was lonely since we were outside fighting our fencing, while he got to enjoy the AC. Anyways, didn’t think much of it. Fast forward to this morning, he got up fine, laid at the top of the steps (occasionally did that at times) then finally came down. I fed them, he didn’t eat. I told him to go potty, he just stood there staring. I was patient, thought maybe old age was kicking in, then he seemed “off” or “dizzy”. I brought his food inside off the porch so he could lay and eat it. He had no interest. That NEVER happened before. I became worried. Our vet didn’t open until 9 and the emergency vet was over an hour away. I watched him closely and noticed his breathing was short and shallow. He was very cold and wouldn’t really get up off the carpet. (He had his own couch spot he always went to) so I called off work, got his favorite blanket set up in my car, and we were off to the vet, getting there right after they opened. He normally loves car rides, he sits up awhile then lays down. But this time I had to carry him and he didn’t even move when I had to brake quickly for a car that was turning. ( always made him anxious) we got there, he lifted his head but it looked like a struggle. I was already crying but had unrealistic hopes. I never called the vet to tell them I was coming but they could already tell I needed to get him back there. The nurse took his temp, she said it was very low. At that point, the tears were uncontrollable. She was very very kind, as was the doctor. He told me Tysons tumor had ruptured judging by the free fluid in his belly and how “bloated” he looked. He offered to do an X-ray to show me but I trusted his word. He petted Tyson with the most gentle hand and said we were probably working with minutes, not hours, if I had anyone I wanted to be there. We knew surgery wasn’t an option, Tyson was 13. In less than a few minutes, I had to make the decision to let him go. I am telling you, it was the worst thing I’ve had to do. I got him when I was pregnant with my son so they’ve grown up together, but he’s always been my dog or “the man of the house”. The nurse and I wrapped him in up in his favorite blanket, I held him as we all gave him pets on his way across the rainbow bridge. Feeling him take his last breath is something that will live with me forever. But I will also never forget how kind the staff was to me. They both shed a tear as well. My heart is with all of you who have lost your fur baby to this cancer. My only advice would be to take them for check ups more frequently as they get older. I never thought I’d only have a year with him after his last wellness visit when all was well. I would’ve liked to take him on his favorite car ride and give him all the snacks he couldn’t have often.
Hi Rachel,
My heart breaks for you. It is clear how much you loved Tyson and what a special part of your family he was. I’m so sorry you had to say goodbye that morning with so little warning. Chances are good there wasn’t any way you could have predicted that he had a hemangiosarcoma or anything you could have done to change the outcome. I know that doesn’t take away the pain of losing him though. I’m glad you and he were surrounded by love until the end, and that the veterinary team was able to support you and share in your sorrow. Thank you for sharing his story with us.
My 13-year-old dog has been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma during a regular vet checkup. She has a tumor on her spleen which measures 4.5 x 5.5 cm. The vet informed us that surgery is not recommended as the cancer has already spread to her liver, resulting in only a few more weeks of survival. I am devastated and not sure what to do. Since the diagnosis, a month had passed, and despite her condition, she still appears happy, maintains a healthy appetite, and enjoys her walks, although she sleeps more than usual. I don’t want to make the decision to euthanize her too soon, as she is still finding joy in life. However, I am fearful of the tumor rupturing and causing internal bleeding. I want to prevent her from experiencing pain or needing an emergency vet visit for bleeding. Our vet told us that we can wait with euthanasia until I observe a decline in her appetite or overall well-being, but there’s also the possibility of the rupture happening suddenly without any signs. I’m scared and confused about what to do, do you have any advice?
Dear Kata,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult road with your senior dog. I wish I knew how to guide you and could tell you what was best. These situations are so tricky and don’t have a right or wrong answer. Ultimately you have to decide what choice you can feel at peace with. Would you rather wait to say goodbye knowing there is a chance something tragic could happen? Or say goodbye while your girl is still feeling ok and possibly miss out on a few good days/weeks? I always think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering, but that is easier said than done when it is your own beloved pup hanging in the balance. Maybe you could talk to your vet about having some pain medications or the Yunnan baiyao herbal treatment on hand in case of an emergency. That way you could hopefully give your pup some relief while you make hard choices. If you make a choice now, you can ensure her passing is smooth and peaceful. If you wait the choice could be taken from you. My heart goes out to you as you navigate this emotional path. Praying for your strength and clarity in your decision making. Bless you and your sweet girl.
My sweet Nala Jean was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma Sept 2022. She had emergency surgery and had her spleen removed while we waited for the final results. While our vet removed her spleen, she did perform exploratory surgery and didn’t think it had spread to her other organs. She was so happy and back to herself after her surgery. Nala was already getting IV infusions due to another cancer, so we continued that treatment plan until December 2022, when we found out she has a plasma cancer in her right left elbow. Even though my girl has the WORST of luck, you would have never known she was sick. She still ran and played and is so happy. Here we are 9 months later after her initial diagnosis and she’s still with us.
Her bad days are closer and more often. I know I’ll be making a hard decision by the end of the summer. And I hate that my resilient girl has to go through so much, it’s truly a nasty sickness. I’ve been having such a hard time coming to terms with it, even with the extra borrowed time we’ve had. Nala has been with me the past 13 years. I rescued her when she was 6 weeks old and truly has never left my side. shes a black boxer/lab mix with the cutest little underbite and smile. I’d spend every last dollar to make her better so she could continue to grow old and not be in pain. my husband keeps telling me the reason she’s still here is because she doesn’t want to leave me too.
This article and the comments were truly comforting though. I had already spent most of my nights Googling hemangiosarcoma and this was one of the more informative and uplifting ones. I feel like I’m ready to make that hard choice for Nala when she’s ready to go. Thank you!
Hi Cassie,
My heart goes out to you. Dealing the diagnosis of with one kind of cancer, let alone three, is challenging. I’m so happy that you have gotten as much good time with Nala as you have after the HSA diagnosis, but I also know that it is never enough. She sounds like an amazing dog and it is clear how much you love her and how dedicated you are to caring for her and helping her live her best life for as long as possible.
Thanks so much for sharing her story with us and for your kind words about our blog. We always try to provide good information and encouragement, so I’m glad to hear it helped you. I hope that you and Nala have gotten to have some more good time together, and that when the time comes to say goodbye, you will have peace and comfort.
We lost our 11 year old pit/lab mix this past Saturday. He was coughing blood the weekend before so we took him into the vet and X-rays revealed metastatic lung tumors with hemaniosarcoma being a likely diagnosis. They started him on some medications and he was fine for a couple days. Saturday morning he woke up coughing quite a bit and with every cough there was blood. He was acting normal otherwise, he was always the happiest boy. I rushed him to the vet and pretty much was told there wasn’t much else they could do to help him. We could take him home and monitor him or humanely euthanize him. It was a heartbreaking decision but we decided to let him go to puppy heaven. I wanted him to go out on happy note and couldn’t bare him going through any suffering. I miss him so much and can’t help but wonder if I made the right decision. My heart hurts everyday thinking about the “what ifs” and that I should’ve done more or asked more questions. I could’ve even think straight in the moment and can’t help but dwell on the decisions we made. Reading others stories that had similar situations make it a little easier but still the hardest thing I had to do.
Hi Kayla,
My heart goes out to you on the loss of your dog. Hemangiosarcoma is such a devastating diagnosis. I know it can be difficult to think straight in the moment and easy to get caught up in the “what ifs” after the fact, but I want to assure you that based on what you have said, you absolutely made the best decisions for him that you could. You tried medications and were able to have a few more good days with him. And then when the tumors started bleeding again, you made the selfless choice to say goodbye. Keep reminding yourself of that, and feel free to come back and read the other stories as often as you need to. ❤️ Thinking of you as you grieve the loss of your sweet boy.
I just had to say goodbye to our incredible and so adored mixed breed Sadie. She was playing with her toy and zooming around the house top speed. Suddenly she stopped in her tracks and laid down. A few hours later she was not getting up, not eating and seemed to be in a fog. I couldn’t bribe her into coming upstairs to bed so i slept on the couch downstairs next to her. we took her to the vet in the AM and he confirmed she had huge tumor stuck to her spleen. We then at the vets suggestion took her to an excellent clinic to make an informed decision .The wonderful Dr at the clinic told us that she had all the symptoms of hemangiosarcoma and was kind enough to give us the truth about her condition . He said that even if we got her chemo and radiation she would probably only live for 6 to 8 months and it would be a painful time for her. I’m so grateful we decided to put her down yesterday even though my heart is broken and I can’t stop crying, it’s comforting to know that I’m not alone with this devastating disease and it’s inevitable outcomes. we rescued Sadie when she was four from a bad situation, and she has been an angel and so much fun and she is now eight . we’ve had four years that i wouldn’t give up for the world. It helps so much to read all of your words and to know that I didn’t do anything wrong and that this would’ve happened no matter what we could’ve done and I’m just so sad but I know I’ll get to gratitude part.. Sadie only felt sick for a few hours, and then she was gone. That’s been the hardest thing it’s just unbelievable. I don’t know what’s coming for us, but I don’t think I could ever love a dog the way I love Sadie and I’ve had a lot of dogs. So there’s a chance I’m just gonna throw in the towel and not adopt anymore.
Hi Wendy,
What a heartbreaking situation. I’m so sorry for the loss of Sadie! She was such a lucky gal to be rescued by you and it sounds like you had an amazing four years together. You made the kindest choice for her, and did everything right. I have no doubt she knew how much you loved her. Praying for you as your process her loss. ❤️
My 13-year-old dog has been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma during a regular vet checkup. She has a tumor on her spleen which measures 4.5 x 5.5 cm. The vet informed us that surgery is not recommended as the cancer has already spread to her liver, resulting in only a few more weeks of survival. I am devastated and unsure of what to do. Despite her condition, she still appears happy, maintains a healthy appetite, and enjoys her walks, although she sleeps more than usual. I don’t want to make the decision to euthanize her too soon, as she is still finding joy in life. However, I am fearful of the tumor rupturing and causing internal bleeding. I want to prevent her from experiencing pain or needing an emergency vet visit for bleeding. The vet told me that I can wait with euthanasia until I observe a decline in her appetite or overall well-being, but there’s also the possibility of the rupture happening suddenly without any signs. I’m scared and confused about what to do, do you have any advice?
Hi Kata,
My heart goes out to you. Receiving a diagnosis of an aggressive tumor like hemangiosarcoma is always devastating and confusing. I completely understand what you are saying about being torn between euthanizing her while she still has a great quality of life or waiting and potentially having to make that decision in an emergency situation. It is such a personal decision for each family and each dog, and there is no right or wrong answer. By now I’m sure you have already decided how you wanted to proceed, and I hope you found a sense of peace with whatever choice you made.
I just lost my third Australian Terrier to this terrible cancer. Prince was my first. He was 8 1/2 when he died. He had tumors on his spleen and his liver. He displayed no symptoms until he had a massive bleed, prompting me to rush him to the vet. I made the terrible mistake of not wanting to believe he was going to die. Instead of peaceful euthanasia, I decided to bring him home thinking he would somehow magically avoid the inevitable. His passing two weeks later was not peaceful. I blame myself everyday for letting this happen to my beloved pet. But I learned a valuable lesson. Lucy had just turned 11 when a tumor suddenly burst. There were no earlier signs that she was sick. 6 months before she had extensive senior dog lab work, that was normal. We rushed her to the vet who initially thought her distended abdomen was caused by gas – something she had experienced years before. The next day when she was not responding to the medication, the vet confirmed tumors on her spleen and liver. We feed her a can of cheese whiz before letting her peacefully pass in our arms. We had just returned from a trip to Barcelona on Monday. Ricky was thrilled to see us when we picked him up at the kennel. He would be 13 in one month. He was getting white hair, but seemed to be in perfect health. Tuesday evening he suddenly had diarrhea and then vomiting. We thought he might have gotten a virus at the kennel. We took him to our vet Wednesday morning. He had a temperature of 104 and an extremely large tumor on his spleen that could rupture at any moment. There was another mass on his liver. The vet confirmed that he was in no condition to come home with us and that he could suddenly die during the night should the extremely large tumor rupture. The tumor was pressing on his intestines causing him great distress. He died peacefully in our arms Wednesday evening. The memories of my final hour with Lucy and Ricky are very different from the final hour I had with Prince. This cancer is so horrible because it forces you to suddenly make life and death decisions for your beloved fur baby. I am thankful nothing happened to Ricky while we were traveling overseas. We were there when he needed our love to sustain him in his final hours. And our vet helped guide us through the process of deciding what was best for Ricky.
Dear Patricia,
I am so sorry for your loss of Prince, Lucy, and Ricky. While I know you wish things had gone differently with Prince, I am glad it helped to bring comfort and peace to the goodbye process with Lucy and Ricky. Thank you for being willing to share your experience. I am certain this will help others make difficult choices when faced with a similar situation. Bless you and may the memories of your precious pups live on forever.
Patricia,
This story has saved my soul I am so sorry for your losses. I had an 8 y.o. German Shepard, healthy as a horse. Would run long distance with me, do sprints with me, and fetch balls, sticks, toys, apples or whatever I would throw for her, follow me around the yard doing yardwork and practice sports with my kids in the yard (once getting a leg a little too close on a swing-which ended with a lot of blood, but alright). We left our home, and a healthy Kiya, the night of Dec 23 for a night on the town and arrived back home to some trash on the floor (from Kiya getting in to it) and Kiya in the corner. When we tried to get her to go outside, she didn’t want to move. We figured it was because she knew she did something that she wasn’t supposed to, which was her normal reaction to us when she got in the trash. Aluminum foil was on the floor, so I was initially worried that was in her. I went over to her and coaxed her in to going outside. After about an hour outside (which was normal for her, she loved the outdoors), we tried to get her inside and she wasn’t interested in coming in. We had to get our voices up a little to get her inside and she came in and just laid down on the floor, not interested in moving. I wasn’t sure if something was lodged or if she was just sick from some old chicken or whatever she found in the trash. Her belly felt a little bloated, but not enough to be sure. It was about midnight and I decided to wait a few hours and to see if she throws something up, and if not better, go to emergency. About 5 hours later my wife came home from work, Kiya got up from her bed, started walking towards her happily and half way there, just stopped and flopped down. My wife, also in the medical field, noticed her belly twice as big as the night before. Got me up and immediately we drove 1 1/2 hours south to get to emergency vets. AEV in Rochester MI is amazing. Waiting for us with a gurney, we were hoping for blockage or bloat. After testing, she had a large hemangiosarcoma tumor on her liver that had ruptured and multiple tumors all over her liver. We knew this wasn’t life-sustainable and any measures would just be painful and unpleasant until she died. Our options were take her home and she dies, probably very uncomfortably due to bleeding or euthanize, which the Vet said she would do if this were her dog. After much thought-on the spot-we knew what the best thing for Kiya was. We wanted the kids to see her, so thankfully, Facetime helped with the kids being able to say good by. To say that was the hardest thing to do in my life is an understatement. Fentanyl kept Kiya pretty happy and in not as much pain-which made it harder on us, because she almost seemed normal, but, we knew…She walked around for a couple of seconds and her anemia made her stop and she laid down with me and my wife for 2 hours while we said our good-by’s. Even when you know its the right thing to do, it still is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life. She died on Xmas eve, this year, 2023, 4 days ago, 12 hours after we found her in the corner. I didn’t let her go for an hour and I am not the same person I was when I walked in the door. She meant WAY more to me than I knew! I feel scared, alone, empty, sad, angry, and now, guilty as can be! Could/Should I have done more? Did I do enough? After reading your story about Prince, I now understand that that is why I didn’t wait. My heart wanted Kiya (and still does)to come home, but I felt that she would be miserable until death. To hear your story brings me some extra peace. I’m sorry you, and Prince, had to go through this, but it brought more peace to my life and I can’t thank you enough for sharing that story in an open forum! Because of your story, I now, will never forget Prince, your wonderful Australian Shepard, and what he means to me.
Dear Shawn,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Kiya. What a blessing you were able to stay by her side during her final moments. I can only imagine how much you miss her but am thankful you found some comfort from Patricia’s comment. I agree you made a very loving and unselfish decision to offer your sweet girl freedom from her suffering. Wishing you peace and healing for your heart. Bless you and your family.
Reading this article today helped. I just yesterday got the diagnosis that my sweet girl Maya has this terrible cancer on her spleen. She’s 12 years old. Just a year and a half ago my sweet Levi came down with the same thing. I’m honestly terrified of making the wrong choice. I’m afraid to have the surgery – what if it just causes her more pain? I’m afraid to not have it – what if she’d live for much longer and enjoy her life? Overall I’m desperate to give her as less pain as possible. Like so many in the comments – this came on incredibly rapidly. Only three months ago she got a full work up at our vet with everything coming back clean and no concerns. I can’t tell you how happy I was to hear that report. I thought for sure I’d have her for at least another year. Now just three months later she’s dying? Like, dying, right in front of me. It’s mindboggling. Right now she is on palliative care and has perked up and seems well, if tired. She’s been a fantastic dog. Trying to grapple with how I can best honor her and show her love in this time of crisis. I’ve known her days were numbered, I didn’t realize how small that number was though. We’ve had a camping trip planned for this weekend. She loves going camping. This will be her last trip. Send a prayer for my sweet Maya that her last days will be enjoyable and that her dad and I will make the right call on when it is time to say goodbye.
Dear Kari,
My heart aches for you as you prepare to say goodbye to Maya. I hope the camping trip went smoothly and she was full of joy while in her happy place. Praying for your comfort and strength as you navigate this emotional journey together. May Maya’s memory live on forever and be a blessing in your lives. ♥
Our 12 year old pup had an ultrasound yesterday that showed a 4.7cm width mass on her spleen. A needle biopsy wasn’t able to be done at the time due to the difficult location of the mass. While we don’t know definitively if it’s cancer, our daughter is an OR nurse and believes from the report that it is. I brought Lola to the vet last week for frequent drinking and urination. Our vet heard a heart murmur, urine was clear, but she was slightly anemic and had lost a bit of weight. I’m overwhelmed with the news as she is eating well, her activity is the same, and she’s her happy little self. As a family, we are still digesting Lola’s diagnosis and trying to figure out what’s best for her-if it’s worth her going through surgery for a bit of extra time or to spoil her to pieces until she no longer is living her best life.
Dear Jamie,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult decision for your senior girl. I am not sure there is a definite right or wrong answer and I wish I had some great advice to give. I can only imagine what an emotional time this must be for your family. I am praying you find the answers you need to have peace with the path you choose. Wishing you strength and comfort. Bless you all.
We said goodbye to our sweet, 12 year old beagle boy, Dodger, this Saturday after his spleen tumor ruptured and two weeks after it was first discovered. We had an exploratory surgery scheduled literally for 2 days later, but the vet advised that since the tumor had doubled in size in such a short amount of time, that he had another mass in his lungs and there was already bleeding in his stomach, the prognosis for emergency surgery was not great. We never found out whether it was malignant, but we suspect that it was. He died peacefully in my lap cradling my baby bump. Then, our car died in the parking lot after we said goodbye. By far the worst day of my life a.
I am an utter wreck right now. Dodger’s brother from the same litter, Oliver, is pacing and sniffing around a lot, searching for him. I miss him so much. While I’m 100% sure we made the right decision in the room on Saturday, I can’t help but think back to the weeks before the diagnosis and wonder why I kept on waiting for our family vet instead of going to the ER. I might have been able to get an earlier appointment and ahead of the rupture. The what-ifs are haunting me. At night, I keep hallucinating Dodger’s footsteps and his perfect aroos.
Thank you for this article and all the comments. Weirdly, it’s comforting to read about other people’s experiences. It sounds like the outcomes for this disease are utterly random, and we did the best we could with the info we had. May all dogs go to heaven.
Dear Linda,
My heart aches for you with your loss of Dodger. You are absolutely right that you did the best you could and there is nothing you should feel guilty about. It is normal to ponder the “what ifs” but please give yourself some grace. It is clear that Dodger was dearly loved, and I am certain he knew and was comforted by your presence during those last moments. I hope Oliver is adjusting to life without his brother. I pray for comfort and peace for you all. Congratulations on your baby on the way. May Dodger’s memory be a blessing that stays with you forever. ♥
I am so sorry for everyone’s loss, truly heartbreaking. Thank you for this site -I wish I had known then what I know now.
We euthanized our 12.5 year English Bulldog on 4/13/23 to what I believe was hemangiosarcoma – a slow bleed -(although we never received a definitive diagnosis). JB was slowing down with what I thought was age and arthritis – she would pause to rest after walking a short distance. A week prior to her decline, I noticed JB was drinking more than usual (which i attributed to her extra effort with walking). She continued to eat her meals, treats, and continued to sit with me on the sofa in her normal spot. On Easter, she exerted herself a bit more than usual, and later that day I noticed intermittent rattling with her breathing. The next morning, she was still rattling (on occasion), so I took her to the vet. (Her regular vet was not in so we saw a colleague), The vet asked how long JB had a protruding belly (I did not notice this as she is a bulldog,is a big girl and always had a bit of a belly. She always sat beside me upside down while i petted her belly and never noticed anything different. The vet said her lungs sounded good, but thought her liver and spleen were enlarged. The vet said they would be taking x-rays of her spleen and lungs, but only did her lungs as she said the lungs were filled with fluid (and possibly a tumor). We were told that we could to take her to the ER Vet for oxygen therapy in a tent to get her stabilized – (which she would need to be without me by her side) following which they would drain her lungs etc (to get better views of her organs), give her a possible transfusion, and do ultrasound AND she might not “make it off the table” due to her condition, or (when I said I didnt want her to be put through all that stress and didnt want her to suffer) Euthanasia. JB has anxiety with new people and places, and I could not justify taking her to a strange ER vet and not being with us, while possibly not making it “off the table” – especially at her age. I asked the vet if there were any alternatives as we were in shock, crying, and completely devastated with the news. The vet said we could try lasix without guarantees, ..so the vet gave her a shot and lasix meds for the week – advising that we needed to be aware that JB could have a medical emergency and to keep checking her gums etc. Lasix appeared to work at least for a day or two, as JB had some of her energy back and breathing was normal. On Wednesday, JB started declining again, and just looked worn out and exhausted. She would walk outside to bathroom then come back into house and lay down immediately. And, she needed to go outside more often than usual as she was on Lasix. JB did not attempt to go upstairs to bed wed night, so I slept with her downstairs- this was a huge concern as she loved her routines and going upstairs to her bed. She could not get comfortable and was up almost all night and I brought her bed downstairs to try to get her to relax.
I Called the vet on Thursday, to schedule a euthanasia, and was able to speak with her regular vet who said she looked at the xrays from Monday, and thought JB was having heart issues and to bring her in to have lungs drained and xray again. I got my hopes up, thinking we had another option. We took her to the vet and the vet tried to drain the lungs and then took xrays. (dont know why she didnt do xrays then attempt to drain the lungs- but I wasnt thinking straight enough to ask). This time xrays showed that there was not as much fluid in her lungs so vet said lasix working (for her lungs). Vet also said her liver was extra-large and she still had distended abdomen. The Vet said we could try heart meds, I was becoming anxious as we could not understand why JB was not getting better if her lungs were becoming clear, We did not want to bring her home and have her undergo a medical emergency with a stressful rush to the emergency vet. I would have thought that if it was a heart issue and her lungs were clearing, then she should have been improving not declining. At this point JB would not even get up off of her blanket in the Vet room and didnt lift her head. We made the heart wrenching decision to euthanize. That was 4 weeks ago and I am completely destroyed. I have done extensive research and based on symptoms I believe she had hemangiosarcoma. A year earlier she had a skin tumor removed that came back benign, but since her passing and doing nonstop research – the small growth looks just like the classic pea size dermal hemangiosarcoma on internet images. – I didn’t question the vet when the test came back benign, but now I am wondering that although it was benign, what else might have going on inside that we did not know. I am climbing walls as I never had a definite diagnosis. Everything happened so fast. JB had her yearly exam in January and except for her arthritis, The vet said she looked good. Her bloodwork etc. was all very good (except the vet did say her liver bloodwork was slightly elevated (but that it was normal for a dog her age)… The vet also said her liver was a little large, but she was not concerned with that as well…..I keep thinking what else could I have done to save her, what did I miss, maybe I should have taken her to ER vet initially, but I did not want to stress her out and I didn’t want her to suffer and be scared and shaking without me. Should I have pressed for more tests during her exam in January? The vet seemed pleased with her in January. JB was a regular visitor to the vets at almost every 3 months due to ear infections, allergies, etc. I am looking at pictures and now I do see that towards the end of her days she seemed thinner, but she still weighed the same – maybe from the fluids? I didn’t notice any weight loss. I cannot quit thinking about what more I should have done, (if anything) because she was my best friend and I loved her dearly. I am heartbroken. The guilt just will not stop.
Dear KG,
My heart aches for you with your loss of JB. It is clear she was dearly loved, and I can only imagine how much you miss her. It is normal while grieving to ponder all the “what ifs”. Please don’t let the unnecessary burden of guilt continue to weigh you down. You didn’t fail her, and I promise you didn’t do anything wrong. This condition can form very quickly and likely was not detectable at your girl’s previous visit to your vet. Even if you had pursued additional testing, the results would probably have been normal. Try to give yourself some grace and take comfort in knowing you did everything you could to give her a fighting chance. I am certain she knew how much she was loved. May JB’s memory live on and be a source of joy in your life. Bless you. ♥
Hi. feeling unbearably sad. our beautiful rescue lab Willow was pts this Monday 1st May 2023. she would have been 10 years old next month. she has been on pain relief medication for 2 years for chronic arthritis. on Friday 28th April she became very lame on her left fore which deteriorated massively over the Saturday and Sunday. we made an emergency appt for her on Bank Holiday Monday for her lameness. the vet took bloods to check she could have stronger pain relief medication for her lameness. these showed off the scale high liver results. which lead to an ultrasound of her liver. Willow’s liver was riddled in tumours, some of which had had small bleeds. so within 2 hours my partner and I had gone from seeking pain relief for lameness, to discussing euthanasia for liver tumours. she came home for a few hours on opiate injection which didn’t touch her leg pain. so that afternoon we took her back to be pts. she had been our beloved companion for 8 years. she was a nervous girl and old for her age due to her arthritis. we wanted to prevent any suffering and decided to let her go before any serious ruptures. but it’s so hard now living with the decision. definitely don’t regret calling it a day maybe earlier than others would, but the shock and trauma of losing her is too much. my heart is broken. my partners heart is broken. how do we get through this.
Dear Gill,
My heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of Willow. It is clear she was dearly loved, and I am certain she knew what an important role she played in your family. Maybe one way to help your heart heal is to focus on Willow’s legacy. Here is a link to an article with great ideas and advice: Dog Memorial Ideas: 10 Ways to Honor Your Dog’s Legacy
May her memory be with you always and continue to be a blessing in your lives. Thank you for sharing her story with us. ♥
My sweet Lucy will cross the rainbow bridge tomorrow for a splenic tumor. She’s an 11 year old yellow lab. Over the last couple of years she has developed arthritis in her hind legs. She also has chronic canine hepatitis. Sunday she started vomiting and lost interest in eating. She also was drinking water like no bodies business. An ultrasound and blood work today revealed the tumors and diabetes. At 11, I will not put her through that surgery. Coincidentally, my son’s 8 year old golden died of the same thing last week. They opted to do surgery and she died 2 weeks later. RIP Lucy. I love to infinity and beyond!
Dear Terry,
My heart goes out to you with your loss of Lucy. I think your decision to forgo surgery was a loving act of kindness and would have done the same for one of my own. May Lucy’s memory stay with you forever and be a blessing in your life. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Sasha, my 10 year old wheaten terrier, had this happen to her this past weekend. Energetic dog until the final days, and had a positive check up a month ago.
Fast forward to last Thursday, she’s seemingly normal (eating and going on walks). Friday something seems off. Saturday she’s stopped eating but is drinking water and going outside on her own. Sunday, won’t eat or move. Will drink small amounts of water on her own. Take her to the emergency vet at 7:00PM for an exam. 20 minutes later – Boom: undetected cancerous tumors on her liver and spleen, some have ruptured, massive internal bleeding, nothing they can do. Whole family was about to say goodbye- absolutely devastated about it. Thank you for those who have shared their stories as it helps. The only fault of dogs is that their lives are too short.
Dear Jordan,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Sasha. I can only imagine how much you miss her. It is clear she was dearly loved, and I am certain she knew. May her memory live on and continue to be a blessing in your lives. Praying for comfort for your heart.
My Macy, my best friend in the world has just been diagnosed this morning with a splenic tumour 💔 she has a very low platelet count and a heart murmur so surgery isn’t really an option to us – we couldn’t afford it anyway 😩 she is showing absolutely no physical signs of being unwell and only had her bloods done recently as we changed veterinary practices due to our regular veg retiring and the new one wanting to get an up to date pic of her platelet counts. I am due to go on holiday this day week for 10 days – should I cancel? My vet thinks not but I’d like a second opinion if you wouldn’t mind? I won’t hold you to it I’m just distraught here 💔
Dear AnnMarie,
I am so sorry Macy has received this devastating diagnosis. If she is feeling well and has not shown any symptoms, then you should be ok to continue with your holiday plans. How did things go? Sorry for the delayed response. Praying your girl will remain stable for as long as possible. Bless you both.
My sweet boy King was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma back in december of last year. He is a 8 year old lab. He was very weak one evening, just not his true self. He threw up, and then a few hours later just collapsed. We rushed him to the ER, where they confirmed he was bleeding internally. They explained that they would have to remove his spleen and send it off for analysis. Unfortunately we got the heartbreaking news that it is in fact cancer. His recovery went so well, nobody could tell that he underwent surgery (except for his cone of shame, which he absolutely hated). He has been perfectly fine, up until march, where he once again collapsed. Another trip to the ER confirmed that he was very anemic. Once again, he was perfect for another month, but since friday he has been so weak, he has trouble getting up, almost looks like his back legs are failing him. On sunday morning he was not moving at all, he just stood there. We thought he had maybe hurt his paw, because he was not putting any weight on his right paw at all. I googled but I didn’t find anything on why this was happening, I am still unsure if this is normal for his diagnosis. The vet didn’t find anything abnormal, he thinks that he is just becoming very tired, but not in pain. It breaks my heart seeing him like this, and I am so afraid of making the wrong decision. He has been so good and fought so much. He stills eats normally, but his energy levels are so low. I am so confused on when to make a decision, he still greets us at the door with a toy, he’s still eager to go potty, even though he takes so long and gets very tired, he still comes to us to get pet and scratched. I don’t know if his time is slowly coming, or if it is just temporary. It has been 4 months now, and I am just so thankful for my little fighter, every moment with him is cherished so much more than before his diagnosis.
Dear Sandra,
My heart aches for you as King’s health is starting to decline. This disease is so unpredictable and can do strange things. My best advice is to stay in close contact with your vet. They can monitor King and help you with assessing his quality of life as things progress. I am glad he is still finding joy in his days and is surrounded by those who love him dearly. Make the most of the time you have together and give your sweet boy a hug for me. ♥
I am writing this lying next to my beautiful 15 and a half year old girl, Molly. She has lost a lot of weight in the last few months, it is difficult to get her to eat and her gums are pale. I took her to the vets last week and he did a physical examination saying that her spleen and liver were distended. We did a blood panel and her white blood cells are too high as is her liver enzymes. My vet, who has been wonderful throughout her life, has said she has cancer of the liver and spleen and on being asked, said she had weeks rather than months. She sleeps all the time and then has a lovely ten minutes of chasing her beloved tennis ball and it feels like she is back.
We have booked a lovely lady vet to come to our house tomorrow morning so Molly can go to sleep at home but I am agonising over whether it is too early. Yes she’s an old girl but she still wags her tail, still tries to follow me upstairs….. we desperately don’t want to lose her in an emergency scenario but she isn’t in pain (she is on painkillers). This decision is heartbreaking and I want to pick up the phone and delay tomororw but equally, I desperately don’t want the spleen to rupture and her pass at the vets (where she is very anxious).
Reading this thread, I know we are doing the right thing but it just really hurts. Thank you for reading.
Dear Joanna,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Molly. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to make the decision to say goodbye, but I think you made the most loving choice. I can’t think of a more selfless act than to allow your own heart to break so that Molly could have peace and freedom from her struggles. I hope her passing was smooth and peaceful. Praying for comfort for your heart. May the memories of your sweet girl bring you joy and stay with you always. ♥
I am so sad, yesterday we put our Bella to rest. She was just seen at the vet a week ago for her routine checkup and vaccinations. Three days later, she was sleeping a lot and not eating as much, I attributed it to side effects from the vaccines and they had changed her food, so maybe an upset stomach. The next day she was lethargic and she usually follows me room to room around the house and she was not doing that. That night she didn’t come to the bedroom, I had to pick her up and take her in bed. The next morning she wouldn’t get up and could barely stand when I picked her up. I took her to the vet as soon as they opened, where she was diagnosed with a urinary track infection and then later that day with a Hemangiosarcoma on her spleen and liver tissue. It was all so fast and unexpected. The vet told us that she had zero chance of improving and the best thing we could do was to let her go. I am heartbroken and going to miss her so much, the house was so quite today without her here.
Dear Lisa,
I am so sorry for your loss of Bella. I can only imagine how much you miss her and understand how difficult it must be without her by your side. Even though her decline was sudden, and you had to make a quick decision to say goodbye, I am certain she knew how much she was loved and that your presence was a comfort. I hope with time your heart will heal. May Bella’s memory be a blessing that stays with you always.
3/19/23 The day my heart broke….Zoey my mixed breed shepherd/golden/husky mix was laid to rest. She was fine Friday, Saturday & Sunday when my husband took her & my 3 yr old Golden out for their usual weekend walk/outing. I was scheduled that day to work 11:30-8…. He called me about 5ish to tell me there’s something wrong with Zoey & described her symptoms…. He said was was running around, playing, prancing, happy then all of a sudden laid down…he thought she was just tired..He said she didn’t want to get up to get back to the truck but finally did and the walk back took long… She was diagnosed with Addison’s at age 2…She had to get the DOCP shot every 28 days & be on Prednisone…..Over time I gradually added days between her shots….We finally got up to 80 days between shots. ,,,,So the 1st thing I thought when he called was it was her Addison’s & tried to remember her last shot…I left work & came home to find her just laying on the blanket he put down for her..I tried giving her a treat..nope so I filled a syringe with some water for a drink…her head was heavy in my hand….I also noticed her front paws were colder than her back ones..I checked when her last DOCP shot was..she was only at 58 days so ….I said I think we should call the vet… The 1st emergency vet we called had an 8 hour wait…The 2nd said bring her in…. When we got they took her right in…Finally they called us into a room…What they said all blended together…Ruptured Spleen, Operation, Blood Transfusion, then the word Hemangiosarcoma…..The decision was made, I called my daughter earlier & then called her again…she was on her way…. My husband & I cried …Finally my daughter arrived..more goodbyes, more tears…It was so hard walking out that room to the reception desk to say we’re ready….The doctor came it…I continued to talk to her ..my head on hers…Then he said she’s gone…The tears are streaming down my face as I write all this…….
Zoey helped heal my heart after I had my Golden (Goldie) put to rest…Every dog is unique & leaves a special paw print on my heart…I am still missing her but also in the process of looking for a new pup to make a new print on my heart…..I will always love/miss Zoey, she now joins all the other fur babies I/we all have lost 🐾💕
Dear Valerie,
My heart aches for you with your loss of Zoey. I am glad you acted quickly and were able to find out what was wrong. I know saying goodbye was extremely emotional but hope you will be comforted knowing your sweet girl was well loved and lived a happy life. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. It will help others to know they are not alone when facing a similar situation. I pray you will find that special pup that will be the next beloved family member. May Zoey’s memory live on and be a blessing to you and your family.
My best friend Petey(Brindle American Pitbull
Terrier) was diagnosed with a splenic hemangiosarcoma in early December of 2022. We opted to only use Yunnan Baiyao instead of removing his spleen. My crazy boy could never go through a recovery process like that because he loved his daily walks and being silly. His vet reccomend Yunnan Baiyao 3 times a day and only gave him a few weeks to a month to live. We could tell the Yunnan Baiyao affected his bowel movements so we had him on 1 capsule per day for 3 days and then cycled him off for 3 days and continued this process. Petey’s daily diet also consisted of; Farmers dog food, Salmon oil, New Zealand mussle turmeric powder, Super Snout mushroom powder, and Senior dog CBD mushroom oil. His stomach was hardened and but he seemed like his normal self. We continued to go on our daily walks and spending quality time with him. This past Monday he all of the sudden wasn’t himself but showed signs here and there of being okay. Finally, on Thursday we had to make the heartbreaking decision to say our goodbyes. Petey was 1 month shy of his 10th birthday. Once at the Vet he was somewhat relaxed and seemed like he was letting go while being at peace as we said our teary eyed goodbyes. The pain is immense but we are extremely grateful for the 4 months after the initial hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. The vet was very impressed with how long Petey survived on Yunnan Baiyao.
Dear Jordan,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. What a blessing you were able to gain 4 wonderful extra months with your sweet boy. I too am amazed at how well he did on his supplement regimen. Saying goodbye is hard even when you know time is limited. I can only imagine how much you miss Petey. I pray his memory will live on and be a blessing in your life. Wishing you the best. ♥
I thank you so much for this it is helping me feel better on that I made the right decision, but also gives me a chance to tell the story of my sweet Cindy Lou Who.
So for back story in 2012 I was having a very hard time off of deployment, and everyone I knew said I needed to find something. That something came in the shape of this beautiful like black ball of fluff with scars lining her neck and a smile that just instantly lit up my world. I’d love to give more story but I don’t want to put everyone through that.
So fast forward to 2022. Ms. Lou had torn both CCL and was being prepped for surgery to repair. In January 2023 I found a lump on her ribs that delayed the repair, but good news it was a hard lipoma so surgery moved forward. First surgery was a resounding success she looked the happiest and energetic she had in years. Second surgery at the beginning of March again resounding success. We get past the two week check up and the surgeon is happy. Well Tuesday the next week it got strange Cindy slowed down and wasn’t eating her full meals. I called my little sister and asked her to come out I thought she might be depressed because she was such a social dog. It’s Saturday April 1st now (I truly wish it was just a prank) and my little sister just got to the house. Cindy ran over so happy she loved her so much. I looked away and my sister gasps. Cindy had collapsed out of no where. So I call the emergency vet and they say get in. The Doctor comes in and asks some questions and as soon as I said lab mix she knew what was going on… She took her back for ultrasound and Cindy had an extremely large mass on her spleen that had ruptured. She said she would do the surgery, but that it would most likely just cause more pain. I agreed and kept Cindy on my lap for a couple hours as she just smiled at me and snuggled. It finally came time and we had to send her home. It hurt so bad especially since she seemed to have so much left in the tank, and how happy she was. Even in the end while sitting at a vet (which she despised her entire life). Seeing your experiences make me feel I truly did what was right for her in the end. She most likely wouldn’t have even been able to fully recover since she already was recovering. I loved her more than anything on this Earth. So I am very happy I could tell even one new person a little of her story. Thank you.
Dear Rob,
I am so sorry for your loss of Cindy. I know saying goodbye was the most difficult thing, but what a blessing you were able to give her peace and rest. I am glad you were able to be with her in those final moments and am certain your presence was a comfort. Thank you for sharing her story with us. Cindy sounds like a once in a lifetime kind of pup and I am glad others will know about your sweet girl. May her memory live on forever and bring joy to you as you continue life’s journey.
I had to put my Dundee down only a week ago from a ruptured hemangiosarcoma. I had attributed his slowing down on walks and heavy sleeping to getting old. When he passed up 2 meals I knew something was wrong. The he couldnt jump in the car. I had to have someone take him out of the car at the vet (he was a collie mix and weighed around 80 lbs). While in the office waiting for his blood results I literally watched him slowly collapse. The bloodwork revealed sky high lymphocytes and no platelets. I didnt think he would even make it through the night if I could have lifted him to take him home. I let him go right there, holding him. I think he passed before the vet even finished administering the medication. It was a shock it happened so quickly.
Aa I read about the disease I think he too ‘read the textbook’.
I miss my Big Guy, but I am glad he is not suffering.
Dear Dani,
I am sorry for your recent loss of Dundee. You made the loving choice to free him from his suffering and I would have done the same for one of my own. I am certain your big guy knew how much you loved him and that your presence was a comfort during his final moments. Thank you for being willing to share your experience with us. It will help others to know they are not alone when in a similar situation. May Dundee’s memory continue to be a blessing in your life.
As I’m reading this article, my 13 yrs old dog is sleeping peacefully on the couch. He was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma at the end of October, 2021. The day had started out normal but then he was unable to get up. His vet was able to see him right away and sent us to the ER to confirm a mass on his spleen, for which he would need a splenectomy. He had the surgery, with no other tumors or lesions. However at his post op a week later, they found a mass on his kidney. I decided to go ahead with chemo, which he finished in Jan of 2022. I was told he would have 4-6 months. We celebrated all of our lasts, last winter, last Spring, holidays, etc. I never thought he would live to see one last Halloween. let alone Christmas or that he would see 2023. This weekend he started to show signs of decline. While he still has an appetite, he has been very low energy. He’s lost interest in his toys, and walking (two things he absolutely loved). I know we’ve been so lucky to have had so more time than expected but I’m not ready. But I know I need to call his vet tomorrow to but I can’t, and I need to call the Humane Society to make arrangements (I’m choosing them because I want to donate his body to the university). But I can’t. So Im here reading your stories and I know if this is really the end, then I can’t ignore the signs. Thank you for sharing your stories.
Dear Cindy,
I am so sorry you are facing this extremely difficult decision for your senior boy. I think it is amazing he will be able to continue making an impact in other’s lives even after he is gone since you will be donating his body to the university. What a blessing you gained an extra year together and have made so many memories! Thank you for sharing his story with us. I pray his passing will be peaceful and smooth. Wishing you comfort for your heart. Bless you both.
when I first got with my boyfriend of five years now .he Had a older Dog .name Atlanta and I have gotten so use to him .he melted my Heart and now he has a ruptured tumor on his private part and I sit and cry with him every day .I know in my Heart its time to let him go. i don’t have the money to put him asleep and I want to be with him when that time comes. and let him know how much I love him and hold him while he falls asleep.
Dear Joni,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult decision for Atlanta. I know you mentioned finances were an issue. It would be a good idea to call around and get estimates from different veterinary clinics. You might be surprised to find out it may be more affordable than you think. Also, you can contact your local humane society. Often times they will perform euthanasia at a very reduced price or even free in some areas. I am praying you will find the help you need. Wishing you peace and comfort for your heart. ♥
My dog Harley, an almost 13 year old black lab, was just diagnosed with the Hemangiosarcoma on his spleen. Tuesday night we went to bed doing our normal bedtime cuddles at like 11pm. 4 hours later he was panting heavily, restless, and tender in the belly. He just wasn’t acting right. A trip to the emergency vet found us getting x-rays, bloodwork, etc. X-ray revealed a splenic mass. Bloodwork was almost normal. RBC count was normal and slightly elevated WBC.. ultrasound showed scant effusion from the mass. Also showed bladder infection, and prostatitis. Vet gave me 3 options. Surgery with the short outcome, bring him home and put him on palliative care, or put him to sleep right there. I took the second option. They prescribed gabapentin and Yunnan Baiyao. We followed up with the regular vet today because his one testicle was swollen. So between the splenic mass and the urinary health he’s a bit of a mess. So I asked the vet about some antibiotics to help with the urinary side of things to keep him as comfortable as possible, So far he hasn’t turned away food, loves his treats, wants to go for walks, and still cuddles with me. There was a noticeable drop in his energy level. Last time he had prostatitis he lost energy, he was a little lame in the back end and wobbly. So this double whammy doesn’t help me any.. hoping the antibiotics knock this out quickly.
I should preface this with I had another lab who also had a Hemangiosarcoma so I do the routine and know when the “right” time is. I won’t let my boy suffer. It’s funny we were talking last week about him being almost 13 and how we dodged a bullet thinking old age was gonna get him. Then Bang.. this damn cancer reared its ugly head. I think this one will be a little different because this dog loves me more than life itself so I think he will fight with everything he’s got. It’s heartbreaking. I was not ready for that news. I do know that he lived a good life. We did a lot together and will be truly missed when he does go.
I do want to thank you for this page. It has been a wealth of knowledge.
Dear Wayne,
I am so sorry Harley has received this devastating diagnosis. I am glad you are pursuing palliative care and will make sure he is well loved for his remaining days. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. I am certain it will offer comfort to others to know they are not alone. When the time comes, I pray Harley’s passing will be smooth and peaceful. Wishing you strength and comfort for this difficult journey.
We have tried CBD dog biscuits and our lab/pit mixed Breeya is still here. The palliative care is tedious, however, she is eating, walking, playing and miraculously pulling through. We don’t know how long, but it’s been weeks since we scheduled for her to be put down. The vet had to reschedule and to our surprise- she has improved.
We experienced hemorrhaging this morning – praying for a good outcome.
You may want to try the CBD DOG BISCUITS.
Hi Mrs. MGP,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am sorry your pup had another bleeding episode. Hoping all is well and Breeya was able to stabilize. Bless you both. ♥
your Harley tale so touched me. our Willie is enjoying his days after his diagnosis. when the time is right it will be soon enough and now he is happy. thank you for sharing.
So glad I found a this site to bight. Today we had to lay out sweet pup, Charlie to rest. Today, he was diagnosed with Splenic Hemangiosarcoma. His health quickly declined over the last 4 weeks. He was a spunky 8 year old Dachsund/Terrier Mix. He was a huge food lover. He never turned away food. He always ate every last morsel of the food in his bowl. One day a few weeks ago, he refused his breakfast and dinner. Still ate his treats at night. Over the course of 2 weeks, he picked at his food. Charlie became lethargic, and not interested in activities, or his furry brother and sister. We decided to take him in for lab work. Surprisingly, it all came back clear. We changed his food, thinking he was becoming a picky eater. Nope, didn’t change a thing. Vet then suggested an X-ray and ultrasound. Turns out he had a 6.3×8.8 cm splenic Hemangiosarcoma with internal bleeding. Poor guy was suffering, so we made the decision to let him rest in peace. We were not prepared to say goodbye so quickly, but know it was the best thing we could do for him. Thank you for allowing us to tell our stories. ❤️🌈🐾RIH Charlie.
Dear Jamie,
My heart goes out to you with your recent loss of Charlie. What a blessing you were able to get a diagnosis and prevent him from continual suffering. You made the loving choice to give your sweet boy peace and rest. I am certain he knew how much he was loved and that your presence was a comfort. May his memory stay with you always and bring you joy. Bless you.
As I sit here reading this. I have to make a decision on my beloved Boss. We woke up this morning with a very bloaed stomach. I immediately took him to the vet where they have told us he has a spleen tumor that is bleeding. He gave us an option of surgery but feels his chance of survival is low due to the bleeding. Or put him to sleep. I jave a hard time with this as he is still eating,drinking, running around, wagging his tail and so happy but his abdomen is so large. I can’t make a decision. I don’t want to loose him but I know that it is going to happen. but how do I put him to sleep when he is so happy. We brought him home to love and spoil him.I need some guidance! I am so torn.
Dear Cindi,
My heart aches for you with the difficult decision you had to make for Boss. No matter what you ended up choosing, I am certain it came from a place of love. Hoping you found the strength needed to find a way forward. Bless you.
cindi. I just found your post on boss. my heart bursts recognizing your love and shared
dilemma.
thank you for sharing.
our Willie dog was diagnosed in May.too. ..one step . today we went on an offleash romp
with other dog friends at the park. sending ❤️ wherever you and boss may be on your path.
Hi Nancy,
My heart breaks for you that you are facing the same challenging questions with Willie. It sounds like you are making the most of the time you have with some fun romps in the dog park, which is great. I hope the way forward becomes clear to you and that you are able to continue to treasure whatever time you have left together. ❤️
We just lost our beagle terrier mix, eight and a half years young. Barely any symptoms of the splenic tumor until it was too late. We opted for surgery, as he was not suffering yet – although his appetite and demeanor had changed that week. The surgery was successful, although the surgeons confirmed that it had moved into the liver thus likely confirming hemangiosarcoma. Since he bounced right back from surgery, we were hoping to enjoy our final weeks with him. Maybe he would beat the odds! Alas, he had a terrible breathing episode 9 days later, and on the 10th day a final collapse. The wonderful part was the good recovery days that gave us our little guy back for some fantastic cuddle time, walks and treats. I would opt for surgery again – it gave him some last days of relief and time together. Too bad it was so short, but those days were precious. He left us on his own terms, and we will be forever thankful to the veterinarians who guided us through the process.
Dear Anita,
I am so sorry for the loss of your pup. I can only imagine how much he is missed but so glad you had those last days to love on him. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. May the memories of the time you spent together be a blessing in your life. Wishing you happier days ahead. ♥
March 10th,2023 I lost my best friend to hemoabdomen and thrombocytopenia.
He was a 11.5 yr old weimaraner. He was fine all week/day leading up to the event. We were on our way back home walking out of the woods on our daily hike when he collapsed before reaching the house. I initially thought his stomach had flipped. Rushed to the emergency vet to find out he was bleeding into his abdomen, had free fluid & it was either spleen/liver. He also had extremely low platelets almost non existent knocking him out of being a surgical candidate. I feel like I was pressured to humanely euthanize him but I wasn’t able to do anything else. Multiple vets have reassured me I did the right thing.
I am so thankful I came across this website & so sorry for everyone who has had to endure losing their beloved pets.
Dear Madison,
I am so sorry for the recent loss of your beloved pup. I agree, you did the right thing by offering your sweet boy peace from his suffering. I can only imagine how much you must miss him. May his memory be a blessing as you continue life’s journey. ♥
Reading these is making me cry so much,, our sweet labradoodle Kona was just diagnosed with these and we are devastated.. I can’t even begin to imagine our lives without her. I am so sorry to all those who lost their pets (really family members) We are doing the best we can to keep her happy and love on her as much as possible.. We just had our 3rd baby and are struggling with the excitement of a newborn while possibly being without our love Kona in a few days/weeks..
Thinking of all of you and your sweet pups.
Dear Rachel,
I am so sorry Kona has received this devastating diagnosis. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to worry for the future while celebrating the birth of your new little one. I hope you are able to find joy in each day and make these last weeks full of love and special memories with your sweet girl. Here is a link to an article that may offer some much-needed information: Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you and your family.
thank you for these posts that show all the ways to deal with a diagnosis. and demonstrate that love is it. have a fine night.
Gibson is once month shy of his 13th birthday. He is an Australian shepherd blue heeler mix. He been my close campion for all of his years, smart and athletic he always loves trail hikes and adventures outside. I have been living in another state for medical training for the last few years but I was finally able to come home for a number of months to see my family and him. Although heavier lately he’s still enjoyed his walks and never lost his youthful spirit and energy. However his appearance was a bit off to me, his stomach was distended but I was assured by my family caring for him in my absence that he had been cleared by the vet this past fall. After taking him for a walk last night he got down on all fours and was panting heavily so I put his water bowl in front of him. He sudden stiffened and extended his neck fighting for breath and suddenly collapsed. Although still breathing his eyes and body were unresponsive despite me trying to pour water on him as he let out a soft whine and collapsed completely on his side. He soon snapped out of it and seemed almost normal but the moment was much too intense and scary for me to ignore. We brought him to the vet this morning and a multitude of tests were run. At first the vet said his labs were totally normal but added his white blood cell count was slightly elevated. Then came the bad news… after X-ray and ultrasound is was discovered he had pericardial, pleural, and abdominal effusion. She said if she had to guess it would be blood if a test sample was drawn. The ultrasound and X-ray revealed an abnormal heart shape and suspicious tumor in his lungs. She told us the most likely prognosis is Hemangiosarcoma and pain meds as well as the Chinese anti clotting herb was prescribed. She said likely he had a heart tumor and lung tumor both leading to blood filling the cavities. Surgery at his age is high risk, expensive, and only a very temporary solution. Having presented with pale gums it seemed he was at his end stages. I write this with him currently at my side drowsy off his pain meds but managing sleep. I gave him some fresh cooked steak earlier with his meds and his energy and appetite seemed quite normal. However as only 8 hours have passed his appetite has left him, belly only more distended (but no pain to the touch or pain response in general to his condition.) It breaks my heart because I know this is his time and delaying it would only lead to loss of quality of life. I will make the decision tomorrow to go the humane route and let him pass peacefully but it brings me some peace reading about your experiences. I question if giving him tap water occasionally or my family feeding him table scraps while I was away unable to monitor him for all these years led to his condition knowing it will never be answered. I just hope to carry on his memory and let him pass in comfort with us by his side. Thank you for all you do and the information I was able to find today to help me understand his condition better.
To add: his heart and lung sounds were normal according to the vet. However his stomach has only become larger and panting and lethargy has ensued.
Dear Jonathan,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Gibson. I am glad you were able to be home with him for his final days as I am sure your presence was a comfort. Please know that this was not caused by anything your sweet boy ate or drank in your absence. Don’t carry around the burden of guilt over circumstances out of your control. I hope Gibson’s passing was smooth and peaceful. Thank you for sharing his story with us. May his memory be a blessing that stays with you forever. Bless you and your family.
Our Cooper, a chocolate lab/mountain cur we rescued as a pup, is only 3 years old. She was diagnosed with a suspected hemangiosarcoma mass on her heart one month ago, and we’ve opted to not treat as it is inoperable and radiation/chemo might only extend her life by a few months. Her initial symptoms that brought us to the vet, only two months after her annual physical which deemed her in good health, was lack of appetite, lethargy, refusal to go on hikes, coughing, and then fainting after suddenly getting up.
We’re struggling with her prognosis, as she is so young. We adopted her right before my husband had quadruple heart bypass surgery, and she has hiked over 3,000 miles with him over the past three years as he rehabbed and recovered from that surgery. For her now to be suffering from a heart ailment after helping heal my husband from his own heart ailment is ironic and cruel.
For the time being, we are loving on her as much as possible. I cook more for her than I do for ourselves – chicken, salmon, ground beef, hot dogs if nothing else tempts her to eat. She is sleeping most of the day, but perks up every evening for a few hours and still loves puzzles with treats hidden inside, and licky mats of peanut butter. She sleeps in our bed, and I often wake up with her head sharing my pillow..
We don’t know how much longer we’ll have her, but we are prepared to let her go with humane euthanasia if she is in pain or distress.
Our hearts are broken.
Hi Talia,
My heart aches for you as you face this tragic situation with your beloved pup. I know your heart is breaking at the thought of saying goodbye, but what a blessing she has been to your family for the past 3 years. Thank you for being willing to share your experience with us. I am certain your words will be a comfort to others in a similar situation to know they are not alone. When the time comes, I hope your sweet girl will pass on peacefully surrounded by those she loves most. Praying for your strength. Bless you all.
i just lost my dog Pickles this evening from a tumor in his spleen that ruptured. We didn’t know he had it and his previous annual visit, he was healthy and perfect! He started about a month ago drinking more usual and more often. I began preparing myself for the possibility of him being diagnosed with diabetes. We are currently traveling the country with our 2 furry companions and actually said that at our next city, we were going p have hm tested. Within 30 minutes of arriving at the campground, Pickles started acting strange. Not his normal self ready to eat. He went and laid down without touching his food. Completely out of the norm for Pickles. I first noticed his stomach was distended. I immediately called and emergency vet and within the hour he was dead. I am devastated and lost without my companion. It is a cruel disease. Had iI known this tupe of cancer iscommon in aging dogs I would have demands for regular tests
Dear Shelly,
I am sorry for your tragic loss of Pickles. It is normal to grieve and consider all the “what ifs”. Please know that even with additional routine testing, this cancer may not have been detectable prior to his bleeding event. Splenic tumors can form rapidly and with little to no warning. You did everything you could for your sweet boy and what a blessing he was with you traveling during his final days. I am sure your presence was a comfort, and he knew how much you loved him. I hope with time your heart will heal and find peace. May Pickles’ memory stay with you forever. Bless you all.
I would like to start off by saying how thankful I am for finding this article along with everyone’s stories. Dr. Buzby, your kind words for everyone tell me everything I need to know about you. You have a wonderful soul.
It has been officially one week since we lost our Lola Bear. She was only a few months from turning 6.
Although our vet never confirmed that she had hemangiosarcoma, it all adds up. Especially since she was a boxer and how common it is for that breed. I started doing research last night to try to figure out where I went wrong. How could have I not known?
Reading through all of this has given me comfort and peace.
Lola was playing that Sunday before, she still had a strong appetite – this girl was super food motivated. I had given her chicken Monday night and everything seemed fine until Tuesday mid morning. I was getting ready to go and she was extra clingy and that’s how I know she didn’t feel well.
She had a habit of eating things she shouldn’t. But she always bounced back quickly.
I loved on her, gave her some rice – read that it would help with an upset stomach. And told her I would be back soon.
When my husband and I got home around 5 she was moving very slowly but was still happy to see us. She went outside to potty but vomited her breakfast plus the rice. We put her inside, while we threw the ball for our other boxer. We were only out there a few minutes and we went back in to more vomit. We knew something was very wrong and kept a close eye on her.
Later that night, she got up and was wondering around, looked very confused. We had her lay back down. During the night, I checked on her often, tried to comfort her more and that morning I rushed her to the vet.
I told them everything, and they told me they would work her in because she wasn’t showing any signs of distress. Just a short while later they called me with the horrible news. It hit me so hard, I never expected that phone call. She had a massive tumor on her liver that was bleeding out.
My husband and I were given our options, none of them were hopeful. The vet said she probably wouldn’t even survive the surgery.
So we opted to stop her suffering. The last thing I wanted was to have her be in any kind of pain. She was a happy, sweet and cuddly dog.
Us being with her brings me comfort as well, I could not imagine her being alone and not being loved on as she left.
This has been one of the hardest things to go through. We loved that sweet girl so much. To say that we’re heartbroken is an understatement.
Again, very thankful to find answers through this article.
Thank you for reading ❤️
Dear Misty,
My heart aches for you with your loss of Lola. She sounds like an amazing pup, and I have no doubt she brought tremendous joy to your lives. Thank you for sharing her story with us as I am sure your words will help another in a similar situation. I am glad you found some comfort from the article and the comments of other readers. I hope with time your heart will heal and all that remains will be the wonderful memories of the good times spent together. May Lola’s memory be a blessing. ♥
Unfortunately, I find myself in the same position as many of you. Except my guy was barely 3 years old, Tony Toes. Tony was your typical Shepard mutt, but he was our mutt. He showed no signs of discomfort or lack of appetite. I have had many family dogs, with their deaths being peaceful and of old age. My Tony’s was not. This cancer stole him from us in the middle of the night. He laid on the floor for a portion of the night, which is weird for my pampered guy who puts himself to bed or curls up on the couch. I called him to bed, and he didn’t move. I tried to stand him up to his feet, and he couldn’t hold his weight. His gums were blue, and his eyes dilated. My husband had to carry his limp body down 3 flights of stairs, and we rushed him to the emergency vet. They told us his splenic tumor had ruptured, metastasized into his lungs, and grown a large mass into his chest. The cancer had progressed to far, and we had to euthanize the little alley puppy that brought so much joy to our household. Tony just had a 6-month checkup with a clean bill of health in July of 2022 and died on February 19, 2023. In retrospect, the only indicator I can think of is his slight wheezing after our daily walks. The family is devasted.
If you still have your furry friend with you, please sniff their paws, dogs’ paws always smell so good, and give them good pats in honor of my Tony Toes.
Dear Annie,
I am so sorry for your loss of Tony. I can only imagine how much you miss him. Even though his life was short, what a blessing you were able to fill his days with love and joy. May the memories of the good days bring you comfort and peace. Bless you.
In November 2022 our precious 11 year old (going on 3!!!) goldendoodle, Emma, was diagnosed with Splenic hemangiosarcoma. She had emergency surgery to remove her spleen and her biopsies came back malignant. I began reading everything I could and your website was so extremely helpful, but it also made me realize we only had 1-3 months with her. Chemo would possibly only extend her life a month or two and we did not want to put her through that but to enjoy every minute we could with her. After she recovered from her surgery, she didn’t quite bounce back completely but still had those moments of running in the yard, chasing her tail, “talking” to all of the neighbors and playing with our other dog. Again reading your website prepared us for knowing she was going to be great until a rupture happens, and we wanted to make sure we caught it asap so she would not be in any pain. We woke up early one morning and she told us what was going on therefore we rushed her to the emergency vet. We had to let her go on 2/7/23 which was 2 months, 3 weeks after her diagnosis which we relished every minute with her. I wish I could share a picture as she was the most precious thing you ever saw. Thanks again for your blog and I hope what I have written will help someone else like you and your other bloggers helped me.
Dear Sally,
I am so sorry for your loss of Emma. She sounds like an amazing pup. I am glad her surgery was successful, and you gained almost 3 extra months with your sweet girl. It is so encouraging to know the article was helpful during this difficult time, and you found comfort in the words of other readers. Thank you for sharing your story. I am certain this will be what someone else needs to hear to know they are not alone. May Emma’s memory live on and be a blessing to you and your family.
We lost the best dog ever, our Brutus, on March 22, just three days ago to this. He was a 9 year old Golden Retriever and impacted so many people’s lives. To know him was to love him. Our vet didn’t think he would make it through surgery due to his blood loss. We had no warning at all. He wouldn’t eat that morning and loved his food. He did eat but laid down to eat. He then went outside and laid down and took several minutes to come back in. I knew it was bad. I rushed him to the vet. Our hearts are completely broken and our 19 month old Golden is lost. As long as I’m breathing I will miss him. I’m not sure my heart can take this again. I told him his goal in life was to make everyone happy and he absolutely did. If you ever wondered if you run out of tears, the answer is no. Thanks for listening and RIP Brutus
Dear Vicki,
I am sorry for your recent loss of Brutus. It sounds like he was an amazing pup and touched many lives during his 9 years of life. I can only imagine how much you miss him. Thank you for sharing his story with us as it helps others to know they are not alone. May Brutus’s memory live on and continue to be a blessing in your life. Wishing you the best for happier days ahead. Give your pup a hug for me. ♥
Hi, I’m so glad I found this site, I’ve been researching the heck out of this disease, my boy Corky was diagnosed on Thursday, his tumour is on his abdomen, i noticed it when I let him out of his pen and saw blood running down his legs, I found what I thought was an abscess but my vet has diagnosed Hemangiosarcoma, I wasn’t to worried until I googled it, then panic has set in, my vet wants to remove the tumour and do a margin around it, I’m so undecided as I can’t find to much info on where his tumour is located, if I don’t go ahead the tumour will continue to grow and rupture, I don’t want to put him through the trauma of surgery if he’s terminal but I also don’t want this tumour to overtake his abdomen, he is a 6 year old Johnson American, he is a beautiful boy and as a pup had elbow dysplasia, our vet operated and one leg was “repaired” but the other leg was a failure, he hates the vet with a passion, we only lost his sister Luella 6 months ago, she was a cleft palette hair lip puppy who we raised from the minute she was born, that’s a whole other story 😊 I’m not ready to lose my other baby, I’m just so confused and heartbroken, to watch him he has no symptoms whatsoever that he has cancer, his sister Febee, yes we had 3, has the benign skin version, she will need it removed, I only found it this week as well. I have read lots of the stories on here, my heart aches for everyone who has had this diagnosis, I am in Australia.
Hi Colleen,
I understand your worry and confusion about this difficult diagnosis your pup has received. Just to make sure I understand correctly, the tumor is on the outside of the abdomen? Here is a link to another article with more information: Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
If there is a veterinary oncologist in your area, it might be a good idea to schedule a consultation. I wish I could tell you if surgery was the best option, but in these instances, I am not sure there is really a right or wrong answer. Just know, should you decide to forgo surgery, palliative/hospice care is also a loving choice. I hope you find the advice you need to make the best decision for Corky. Praying for a positive outcome and happier days ahead.
l lost my 11 and a half year old German Shepherd Bruno on 11th May. He had just been for a lovely walk and paddle in the stream with his 16 year old dog sister Star. When we got home he wouldn’t come in the house. So I got his dinner, never before refused, and took it out to him in the garden. He ate most, then was sick, and started to pant. I saw his gums were white, so took him to the out of hours vet. A scan revealed a tumour on his spleen which had burst and massive internal bleeding. I was given a prognosis of three weeks if he had surgery. I opted to have him put to sleep, cold paws and face, and very poorly. But held in my arms and spoken to gently, and much stroking. My 16 year old has been so sad and 2 weeks to the day, I asked my brilliant vet to check her. Her scan revealed a haeangiosarcoma of her spleen, and before it burst, I gave her some treats and cuddled her to sleep. Then my lovely vet Jenny came in and gave her the final injection whilst she was held and snoring. My two beloved dogs gone in 2 weeks from the same cancer. I am numb. And so sad. And the house is silent without them. This is going to take me the rest of my life to process and I will never recover.
Dear Evie,
My heart aches for you as you try to process so much loss in such a short time. I can only imagine how difficult it must be without Bruno and Star by your side. As hard as it was to say goodbye, I am certain you made the most loving choice to allow your own heart to break so your sweet pups wouldn’t have to suffer needlessly. I pray with time your heart will heal. May the memories of all the good times you shared be a blessing in your life and stay with you always.
4 days ago my 10 1/2 year old miniature schnauzer Miley recently collapsed at home. Being a healthcare provider myself in critical care I knew something was wrong she showed the typical signs of distress and labored breathing at a rate of 60-80 breaths a minute muffled heart sounds were all signs pointing towards cardiac tamponade. I was not able to confirm with a ultrasound til my vet saw Miley and said the Effusion was so extensive that if she didn’t get the pericardial sac drained she would most likely die soon, we opted to treat her and 100mls of blood was drained from her pericardial sac, without knowing how extensive the bleed was I asked my vet to ultrasound her again and sure enough it was refilling, I did the procedure in hopes that it was idiopathic pericardial effusion as a last ditch effort. I knew the prognosis wasn’t good I took Miley home and slept with her in my arms the next day we played at the dog park, gave her lots of treats and she was playing with our new lovely kitten she loved so much. We sat by lake while she watched the ducks and squirrels which I didn’t know would be our last time, later that night her breathing started to become very labored and she could no longer breath with her head resting, she began being restless. I couldn’t believe that it would be our last day after we had such an amazing day together in hopes the procedure would give me more time with her I was wrong, later that night I went to my emergency vet to have Miley put down I’ve never cried so hard as my baby passed in my arms.
Dear Mark,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Miley. I am so sorry this tragic disease caused her to decline so quickly. I know you wished for more time with her, but what a blessing to have spent that last glorious day by the lake together. I am thankful you were able to be with her in those final moments. I have no doubt she knew how much she was loved, and your presence was a comfort. Thank you for sharing Miley’s story with us. Praying for peace and comfort for your heart. Bless you.
Dr. Buzby & all in the comments you have put me at ease with my euthanasia decision for my 12 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Thatcher, in the near future. ♥️He was diagnosed with a mass on his spleen 1/12/2023 & currently has a wonderful quality of life. Thatch is a food motivated dog & still eating. 🐽 He’s been a lazy dog all of his life, so his behavior’s weren’t new, however his pot belly was noticeable. My family is loving on him more than ever, if that’s possible.🥰 He’s snoring with his bum bum on my leg.😂 Thatchie is a wonderful communicator & will let us know when it’s his time to be with his grandpa. (That was his favorite)!♥️ As of now, we’re keeping him cozy. Much love to you all & thank you for this wonderful information. Sorry for all of your losses to this constricting disease. 🐾💕
Dear Michelle,
I am sorry Thatcher has received this terrible diagnosis. I am happy to hear he is feeling good for now and able to enjoy snuggles and his favorite food. Thank you for the kind words about the article. I am glad it was able to offer some comfort while you navigate this hard road ahead. Make the most of each day and enjoy this time you have been blessed with. Wishing you both the best. ♥
I just lost my baby boy Duke to hemangiosarcoma. He would have been 7 years old next month. In December my husband and I were getting ready to go out for our wedding anniversary dinner and our German Shepherd Duke had been acting strange the last few days. We chalked it up to him probably eating something that didn’t sit well with him. My husband took him on a walk which Duke always loved and he made it 3 houses down before he just laid down on the street. It was very out of character for him so we knew something was wrong. We called a vet tech who we trust and told us to check his gums which were pale. At that time I also noticed Duke’s belly was extremely swollen. We took him to the ER immediately and within 5 seconds of examining him, the vet told us it was likely hemangiosarcoma and we didn’t have much time to make a decision because he was bleeding out. My husband and I went back and forth with the decision, and ultimately we opted to do the surgery which removed a tennis sized mass from Duke’s spleen that was bleeding out. To our surprise, our baby boy was back to his old self just the day after surgery. We went to visit him and even the staff was in shock at how well he was doing. They said we could take him home the next day but the tough talk came next, that post surgery removal of the spleen and mass would likely reveal it was malignant and he’d only have 1-3 months to live. My husband and I agreed that we didn’t want to put him through chemo after surgery knowing that hemangiosarcoma is extremely aggressive and chances are we’d only prolong his life for another few months but at what cost to his overall quality of life? Duke was his normal self for almost 2 months post surgery. We took him to the dog park to play fetch, he went on long walks, ate ice cream and treats, salmon, steak, all his favorites. Then just last week, we started to witness the same lethargy again, no energy for a walk. Within a day, the belly started to swell again. I thought we had more time given the surgeon said he didn’t see any other lesions when he operated on Duke. But we were back at where we were in December. Duke’s gums started to go pale again and his tongue got paper white. It’s so hard because he was still extremely alert, had not lost his appetite. But all he wanted to do was lay down and even short walks to the water bowl would get him very tired. My husband and I called an in home euthanasia service. We said goodbye to our first baby boy with peanut butter milk bone treats and kisses. It was the hardest decision to make, and after reading this article I’m so glad we made it on time. We would have never forgiven ourselves if his passing would have been traumatic. I don’t even want to think how close we might have been to him gasping for air or collapsing. We said goodbye on our terms and as peaceful and loving for Duke as we could have made it. I was struggling with this decision and reading this article really helped me process. We did everything we could and it was time to let him go. We also have a 3 year old female German shepherd and all she’s ever known is living with us and Duke. She is so sad. If you have any advice, we’d gladly take it.
Dear Duke’s Momma,
My heart aches for you with the recent loss of your beloved Shepherd boy. I am so glad the surgery was successful and gifted you with 2 extra quality months with him. You definitely made the right choice to say goodbye when you did. What a blessing you were able to have a vet come to your home where Duke was most comfortable. I am glad you were with him in his final moments. It is normal for your young female pup to be sad. She is grieving too. It just takes time. Try to keep her on a routine schedule and continue to do the things she loves and in which she finds joy. I hope with time your heart will heal. May Duke’s memory be a blessing that lasts a lifetime.
Thank you writing this and sharing your experiences.
We lost our 11 year-old American Staffordshire Terrier on 1/18/23 unexpectedly. She was thriving and then she wasn’t. We were cuddling on the couch, when she got up and collapsed. She wouldn’t move and looked at me with the widest eyes–I knew something was wrong. I woke my husband up, called the vet and drove to the ER. 20 minutes later we were given the news of a ruptured tumor on her spleen, Hemangiosarcoma. We discussed the options of surgery and then chemotherapy, the estimated cost of $15k+ alone was going to require us to take out a loan, but we were prepared to do that. However, the vet was honest and said she would only have 2 weeks to 3 months to live, and the bleeding looked to be bad enough that she may have to make the decision to put her down in the middle of surgery. The thought of our girl’s fear of new vets, her separation anxiety and maybe not being able to say goodbye broke our hearts. We wanted to be selfish and extend her time, but I couldn’t have her last days on earth be full of chemo treatment, new vets and medicine–she’s too sweet of a girl for that. The vet also told us that if he hadn’t brought her in right then, she would have died within hours at home, in pain… so I take a great deal of pride in knowing that I acted on my instincts, but I’m still left with a broken heart.
I had her from 20 years old to 30 years old, and she was my soul dog. She made our house a home, and we miss her every day.
Dear Alexis,
I am so sorry for the loss of your senior girl. I commend you for acting so quickly and getting her the medical attention she needed. I know making the decision to say goodbye was extremely difficult and emotional. I cannot think of a more loving or selfless act than to allow your own heart to break just to give your pup peace from her suffering. It is clear how much you loved her, and I am certain she knew. Thank you for sharing your story with us. May the memories of the good days bring you comfort and joy.
I’m so confused about all the information online. My Australian Cattle dog was diagnosed during a routine check up a few months ago, the doctor palpated a suspicious lump in the spleen area. After blood work and ultrasound she told me it was as suspected and probably had spread to her heart. The only new symptom her stomach had started to swell after dinner each night but as an older cattle dog in the tropics and with bad back/hip pain she’d always panted a lot but recently she’s sleeping a lot more and has become more distant not so reactive of my voice or sounds. On the other hand she is also still ecstatically happy to go to the beach three times a week, jump into the car, eats with gusto (although newly appears to have some eating/chewing/or swallowing issues) and loves her ropey time. She is 13 which is an older cattle dog but she’s always eaten raw lean meat and a balance of other foods and supplements, along with a healthy social and active loved life….Last couple of nights I’ve noticed her groaning and her tummy making a gurgling noise, like liquid moving through her bowel…She’s been receiving CBD oil which I believe has helped her immensely. Still tonight it’s early hours in Australia and I’m so frustrated, scared and sad that my vet left me with such a vague epilogue.
Because the vet found it so early by accident it has given us more time than I’d dared to hope and I do believe her life is still full of happiness and good times. I live alone and never had children, she is my support animal as well as a companion for someone that lives an isolated life but I would never let her suffer if I thought these episodes were making her life too hard to bear. I just wish I had more guidance. I don’t want to leave it too late or end her life prematurely….I barely sleep at night listening for noises from her bed, she’s asleep for now so I’ll try myself again. I hope some amazing scientist helps discover a way to treat this hideous thing. Thank you for your page of information and all the other people that have shared their pain, fear, sadness and love for their dogs.
Dear Katrina,
My heart goes out to you as you face this uncertain future with your senior girl. I understand your worry and concern for her wellbeing. I wish I had some great advice about how to know when things will start to decline. Unfortunately, it is more of a wait and see situation. I am glad that despite her diagnosis your pup is still happy and able to enjoy her beach trips. I hope when the time comes, it will be clear, and you will have peace about making the choice to say goodbye. I always think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. Praying for your strength and comfort. Give your sweet girl a hug for me. ♥
My 13 year old husky was diagnosed with a heart tumor in November, 3 weeks before I was due to have a baby. He almost died due to a collapse and the emergency vet quickly did a tap to remove the blood on his heart. We were told hours, days, or weeks at most before it would rupture again. 3 months later… he collapsed again on our walk and this time felt worse. He yelped and shook.. I thought it was the end right there but he got back up and I was able to rush him back to the ER. Everything happened very fast and I was told the kinder thing to do would be euthanasia as there was no telling if we’d get that kind of time with him again post tap. The tumor looked a bit bigger and she told us even if it wasn’t hemangiosarcoma it will still grow and bleed out and kill him in the end. We decided to let him go, but now I am faced with the guilt and horrible heartache that I see others enduring as well. Although we were so lucky to get that 3 months before the second rupture, I’m in absolute despair. I had stopped the Yunnan biao a week prior as I thought it may of caused a bout of diarrhea. I keep wondering if it had worked that well and ultimately caused the next rupture when I discontinued it. I miss him sooo much and I just pray we made the right decision and didn’t let him go too soon.
Dear Ally,
My heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of your Husky. It is natural to ponder the “what ifs” when dealing with these kinds of emotions. I think you did the right thing to let go and give your sweet boy peace and relief from his struggles. It is clear you loved him dearly and were trying to give him as much time as possible. You accomplished that and even received the gift of some extra quality time together. I am certain your senior guy knew how much he was loved. I hope the memories of the good times will help to heal your heart and be a blessing to you for years to come.
we had to put our senior dog down after an extremely sudden collapse after a normal day. within a couple hours of his collapse, we were told he most likely had cancer and even with surgery/treatment he’d only have a couple months. he wasn’t able to get up on his own without yelping and falling over, he was bleeding internally and was getting blood extracted from his belly, and was put on oxygen from trouble breathing. he looked alert before we brought him to the er but when they brought him out he just looked tired. we made the decision to euthanize because we felt it was the best decision to make after seeing how much pain i’m in, but i can’t help but wonder if we made the right decision… these comments have definitely helped my anxiousness about the situation. i miss my dog dearly and am having a hard time letting go. i wasn’t ready for the less and really wish i had more time.
Dear Win,
I am sorry for the tragic loss of your senior dog. Saying goodbye is so hard, especially when things are happening so fast it doesn’t leave you time to process your emotions. From what you describe, you definitely made the right decision. You did the only thing you could to offer your sweet boy peace and rest from his suffering. I can only imagine how much you must miss him. It is clear from your words he was well loved. I hope with time your heart will heal and you can let go of the burden of guilt that you shouldn’t have to carry. May the memories of the good days be a blessing in your life. Wishing you peace.
My Roxi 14 yr old springer has just been sadly put to sleep with this the tumor was on her spleen. Happened so quickly over 10 days, her 1st symptom was she vomited her treats up, then she was getting out of breath after walking up the stairs which she didnt normally. A few days later her stomach was tight to touch and then it got larger. More vomiting to the point of a vet appointment, who said it was likely a virus and gave her an anti sickness injection. She stopped vomiting but a couple of days later her breathing was getting worse, kept me up all night on Thursday gasping more and more for a breath, i put my saline nebulizer by her nose which eased her breathing and she rested to a deep sleep. Friday morning at vets, scanned her to find tumor on her spleen which had ruptured leaving pockets of blood in her abdomen, we did the kindess act of putting Roxi to sleep, I held her in my arms with my husband while she took her last breath. Reading all these stories has helped to understand why now Roxi detoriated so quickly. My heart is broken
Hi Sandra,
My heart goes out to you on the loss of your sweet Roxi. Watching a beloved dog decline rapidly and needing to say goodbye suddenly is so difficult. I hope that in time you are able to find comfort in all the memories you shared together and peace in knowing that you made the kindest, most loving decision you could for Roxi. Thanking about you!
Thank you for this article. I am sitting and loving on my best girl, Elsa, right now. Unfortunately today we discovered she has a tumor on her spleen that ruptured. I am beyond devastated and tomorrow she will cross the Rainbow Bridge but tonight we are loving on her (steaks and ice cream are her favorites) and enjoying time with lots of hugs and kisses from me and my kids. Also her dog sisters are kissing her and taking turns laying with her. I am so happy she is able to be at home and that Laps of Love with be able to make sure she knows she is loved and with us tomorrow at home when we have to say goodbye. She is an amazing baby and will be missed so much! Reading your stories made me feel less alone and more comfortable with making the decision to say goodbye.
Dear Melissa,
I am sorry for your recent loss of Elsa. I understand what a difficult and emotional decision it is to say goodbye to a beloved pup. What a lucky girl to have had so much joy even in her final days. I am glad she was able to be at home where she was most comfortable and surrounded by those who loved her most. I hope her passing was peaceful and smooth. May her memory be a blessing.
Yesterday, Hunter refused to eat breakfast. He’s been with us for 9 years. That’s never happened. He asked to be let out. When he came back in, he just collapsed by the door. He was panting. We took him to the vet as soon as they opened. He was anemic (red blood cells were 41) & the vet thought there might be blood in his abdomen. They found a hospital that could do a transfusion or surgery if needed. Hospital Vet did a quick ultrasound. There was a small mass on his spleen & fluid in his abdomen. The fluid was blood. She said that it was likely an aggressive blood cancer but with surgery & treatment, he might have another 6-9 months. He was 10 1/2 but we weren’t ready to let go. We authorized a full ultrasound and surgery to remove his spleen. We left him at hospital. . A couple hours later, the vet called. They’d done the ultrasound. There were other masses, He was not a candidate for surgery. She could euthanize him at the hospital or he could come home for a day or two with medication. Someone would come to us when we were ready. We opted for hospital. We brought pasta (his favorite). Our adult children met us there. He was medicated. The kids didn’t see the bad parts. We sat with him on the floor and petted and soothed him until he was gone. It was gentle. It was all so quick. I don’t know if we should’ve gotten a second opinion? I don’t even know if there was time to do so. We are still a little shocked and very sad.
Dear Michele,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Hunter. I know you are grieving, and it is normal to contemplate the “what ifs”. I think you made the right call to say goodbye. You were able to give your sweet boy relief from his suffering and offer him peace and rest. I am glad you were able to be there with him until his final moments. There is no doubt your presence was a comfort. I hope in time your heart will heal and Hunter’s memory will be a blessing to you and your family. ♥
I appreciate your sharing your experience with your dogs, and your article has given me some things to think about.
Earlier this week our 13 year old cocker spaniel Maple began panting, shaking, and moaning. We rushed her to the 24 hour emergency vet services, where they determined that there was a mass on her spleen that was bleeding into her abdomen. Wanting to give her any possible chance, we decided to go ahead with surgery to remove her spleen. We brought her home a couple of days ago, and are amazed at how well she appears to be doing.
I received a call this morning, and was told that the pathology showed that the tumor was a splenic hemangiosarcoma – prognosis is grim: maybe a few months if we do nothing, at best possibly a year with chemo therapy. The vet also suggested giving her Yunnan Baiyao, which we are picking up this afternoon.
We adopted Maple from our local SPCA when she was about a year old. Within a few months, she was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor. We opted for surgery and a course of chemo, and she’s been healthy ever since. We had a great deal of confidence in the veterinary oncologist who treated her at that time, and are trying to get an appointment with him next week. We don’t want her to suffer, but can’t bear to let her go so soon. I’m hoping that after we meet with the oncologist we’ll have a clearer picture as to how to move forward.
Hi Gail,
I am sorry Maple has received such a devastating diagnosis. I am glad she seems to be feeling better since her surgery and is able to find joy in her days. I think it is a great idea to have her evaluated by her previous oncologist. I am hopeful they will have some good suggestions and recommendations to help prolong your sweet girl’s life. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. I am praying for you, and everyone involved as you navigate this uncertain road ahead. Wishing you all the best and please keep us updated!
My 11-year-old Newfoundland, Tuesday, was diagnosed with possible hemangiosarcoma. We did a blood test, which showed some anemia (indicating internal bleeding), and an ultrasound confirmed the mass was quite large. I didn’t want to put her through a biopsy or splenectomy because she’s old (Newfies’ lifespans are about 8-10 years). It could be a benign mass, but still, surgery is risky at her age.
My torture is to wonder if it is benign, do I still arrange for at-home euthanasia? She’s doing okay at the moment, eating and drinking and is able to get around. However, I’m noticing that she seems really tired and uncomfortable (we put her on gabapentin to help with the pain/discomfort). I’m simultaneously terrified of knowing that she could hemorrhage at any time with incredible pain and terrified I’d be euthanizing her prematurely.
Dear Danielle,
I am sorry you are in such a difficult situation with your senior girl. Making the decision about when is best to say goodbye is so hard and sometimes just isn’t clear. I know you don’t want to end her life prematurely, but at the same time want to spare her from unnecessary suffering. I always think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late. I think it would be wise to go ahead and talk with the veterinarian that will perform the at-home euthanasia. Together you can navigate this unknown road and find comfort in your choices. My thoughts are with you as you face the days ahead. Wishing you peace.
We found out that our sweet Roxi has a mass on her heart last week and today she had an abdominal ultrasound and she has a large mass on her spleen. Roxi is a 12 year old boxer, she also has valvular heart disease so our vet said surgery for the spleenectomy is an option but because of her age, tumor on her heart and her heart disease she can’t say if she will make it through surgery. If she does we still have the mass on heart. We are so torn on what to do because as of now she is still happy, eating, drinking and playing with Bailey our 2 year old boxer. The financial part is a worry for us as well because we are a family of 6. My husband and I just talked about it and we feel that we should spend time with her and say goodbye before the hemorrhaging starts so she is in no pain, but how long should we wait and how should we tell our kids they are going to be devastated. Her vet sent us home today with Yunnan and she just started Vetmedin for her heart. I just feel like I’m giving up on her by choosing not to try spleenectomy and chemo for heart if she made it through surgery. I’m heartbroken and torn on what to do.
Dear Madelyn,
I am sorry Roxi has received such a devastating diagnosis. I know you want to give her as much quality time as possible but agree that I would probably forgo surgery in this case if she was my own pup. There is really no way to know how long she will have before her condition declines. My best advice is to make as many decisions as possible ahead of time. This will spare you from the added stress while going through a potential emergency situation. You may want to reach out to a vet that can make house calls and routinely preforms hospice care and in home euthanasia. They can stop in from time to time and assess Roxi’s condition. They will also be able to help guide you through this emotional process and let you know when they think it is time to let go. Try to put things in a more positive light for your family and focus on how you can make Roxi’s last days wonderful. Spoil her rotten and find ways to bring joy into each day. Make some memories that will last a lifetime. I will attach links to other articles with more information and advice. Praying for your strength and comfort.
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers to 12 FAQs
3. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
Danielle,
My wife and I are going thru the same thing with our “Boogie.” She was diagnosed October of 2022. We immediately started with the yanni bonanni (my pronunciation of the Chinese herb) and gabapentin. She is still with us but we know the time is coming. She is 15yrs old and we believe that surgery was to big of a risk. We have loved on her and spoiled her beyond measure. Thankfully my wife has worked at the same veterinarian office for 19yrs so we have an extended family of caregivers and “love up on her people” My wife’s birthday is in February and the possibility is very real that we will have to make that dreadful decision right about that time. We’ve been in this position before and it is heartbreaking. However, we will just keep right on loving our BOOGIE and the next bundle of joy that God sends our way. My prayers are with you as they are with others in the same situation. Boogie sends kisses 💋 and love out to everyone.
Stella, our bulldog, is 12 and she’s been diagnosed with a mass on her spleen and mild internal bleeding. She passed out after drinking water at her bowl and urinated on herself. She was disoriented and wide eyed. We rushed her to the emergency vet and they ran tests and made the diagnosis. We have her on Yunnan and gabantin while we make the decision to euthanize. We have a tentative appointment on Wednesday but she has been doing so well and acting her normal self. I feel so guilty. What if she lives a long time or even a few months. Should we wait and see if she declines in health? She’s completely normal right now. I’m so heartbroken and confused. She’s been with us since she was 13 weeks old. I just want the best for her.
Dear Gladys,
I am so sorry Stella has received such a devastating diagnosis. I wish I could offer you some great advice or tell you what to expect over the next few days. This disease is just so unpredictable. The best thing I can say is I would rather let go one day too early instead of one day too late and allowing unnecessary suffering. I pray Stella’s last days are happy and she is comfortable. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
I’m really struggling with the loss of my dog Jax, on December 22, 2022.
He started off being picky with his kibble so we tried adding tasty treats and feeding wet food. After a few days, even this wasn’t working so we went to the vet. Blood work done in house showed slightly elevated liver enzymes and his urine was diluted. My vet originally thought Leptospirosis could be the cause of his symptoms(not eating, drinking excessive water, diarrhea. He was otherwise energetic and himself) and we did a second round of blood and urine the next day that was sent to the lab to test for Lepto specifically. It was Saturday, so we wouldn’t have results for a few days and started him on treatment for the Lepto just in case. By Monday, he wasn’t even eating the cooked chicken or lean ground beef we were trying. Tuesday, we got the results that he was negative for Lepto, so Wednesday took him back to the vet for x-rays. It was the first day that I noticed he looked slightly bloated. X-rays showed his abdomen was full of fluid. Vet drew fluid and ruled out internal bleeding. We were referred for an ultrasound and had it done late that evening(8 pm) at the local emergency clinic.
By this point his abdomen was quite swollen. Ultrasound results were rushed and at 10:30 I got news’s that absolutely rocked my world. I didn’t ask many questions because it was the emergency vet and I had never spoken to him before. But he apologized multiple times for being the one to give me the bleak news – nodules all over his liver, spleen and abdomen. No surgical options based on metastasis.
After Jax came out of the anesthesia, he was whining like he was in pain and we returned to the emergency clinic in the early hours of the morning for pain relief. I was already thinking we would be saying goodbye soon, and when I expressed this to the emergency vet he asked if I was thinking about doing it then. It took me by surprise, but also gave me resolve. If he didn’t think it was unreasonable to do it right away, then it must be even worse than I was imagining. I wanted to wait to speak to our vet. After Jax was given a shot for the pain(Methadone so he was sedated) we went home. I laid in bed with him until it was light out. I gave the news to our closest friends and invited them all over. We went for a short walk with some doggy friends and waited for our vet to be in office. When she called, she said the same thing as the emergency vet – no surgical options. She discussed the possibility of referring him to an oncologist, saying he would likely be hospitalized and that she wasn’t sure how much of a difference chemo would make for him at this point. Then she said it would make sense to begin considering euthanizing. I think I had made the decision subconsciously from the first time I heard the results, I asked her if today was too soon. Her response was the saying is better a day too soon than a day too late. We set the appointment for later that afternoon.
In my mind, it had been days since he showed any interest in food and he as showed signs of pain for the first time after his ultrasound. I didn’t want him to suffer and I didn’t want his condition to deteriorate over the holidays and have to take him to a strange vet to say goodbye.
I keep reading all the stories and articles I can find. But none of them really give me the closure I need. Could I have had a few more days with him? Weeks even?
And how out of it was he on the Methadone, did he know I was there with him those last few hours?
Dear Kendra,
My heart goes out to you with your tragic loss of Jax. I am sorry his condition deteriorated so quickly and didn’t leave you much time to process things. It is a normal part of grieving to consider all the “what ifs”, but please don’t let them be an unnecessary burden. You did right by your sweet boy and made the loving choice to allow your own heart to break so he could find peace and relief from his suffering. You may have been able to gain a few extra days with him, but at what cost? Would he have been painful the entire time? Would he have passed suddenly in a more unsettling way? There is no way to know for sure, but I am certain I would have made the same choice for one of my own. I am so glad you were able to be with Jax during his final moments. Even when sedated, there is evidence to suggest a dog can still hear and be aware of their beloved owner nearby. I am sure your presence was a comfort to him, and I have no doubt he knew how much he was loved. I hope with time your heart will heal. May Jax’s memory be a blessing as you continue life’s journey.
Thank you for sharing your personal stories. We just received a similar diagnosis earlier this week for our almost 12 year old German Shepherd. The veterinarian said he has significant internal bleeding and the cancer is on his spleen and liver. He said it was very aggressive and that we didn’t have much time. He explained that there really weren’t any options for him (apparently it is quite advanced), but it is hard to make that final decision to give him a peaceful send-off when he is still seems ‘somewhat’ functioning. Titan does pant a lot, has a very distended abdomen, has diarrhea, pale gums, and is getting weaker in his hind end. I just thought it was old age. Aside from the distended abdomen, he’s had these symptoms for months. But he still eats well and reminds us when it’s breakfast or dinner time. He continues to follow me around and interacts by ‘hugging’ family members.
We have set the euthanasia appointment for a week away and while we are spoiling him and soaking up the last moments with him, I still feel so incredibly guilty. I don’t want him to suffer as I hear it the end usually comes on suddenly and is quite painful if it gets to the collapsing stage, but this is hard. I cry all the time. I know I’m doing it to spare him from suffering, but it almost feels premature. I had always envisioned that it would be an obvious decline and I would just know…as if he would beg me to end it. I feel like I’m betraying my best friend. The guilt is almost unbearable.
Dear Bridget,
I am so sorry for your loss of Titan. I understand how difficult it is to make the choice to say goodbye. I think it was the best decision to offer your sweet boy peace and rest before things became critical. I always think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. It is clear from your words just how much you loved your senior guy. I am certain he knew how much he was loved and adored. I hope his passing was peaceful. May his memory live on and be a blessing to you and your family. ♥
My 13 year old GSD was just found t have cancer in the spleen that has spread to the lungs. Only three months ago she had a benign melanoma removed at which time she had an ultrasound or X-ray that did not show any signs of cancer in her lungs or abdomen. That is how quickly her cancer spread. My vet has prescribed prednisone to provide her comfort as we decide that next steps. It was suggested that while chemotherapy would be an option it was not confidently recommended to her age and the outcome of prolonging a her quality of life. She is also showing symptoms of degenerative myelopathy. While after starting the prednisone today she seems to have improved her appetite and seems in better spirits I am concerned that if she were to go into repository distress or have some other medical emergency she would experience a more painful death than if we were to opt to schedule euthanasia at home. I am wondering if due to her age and the poor prognosis it would it be a more humane to schedule euthanasia sooner rather than to risk an emergency euthanasia at an unfamiliar emergency vet office. or dying at home alone while I am at work.. I would appreciate any feedback. I am particularly questioning what the level of pain and discomfort it would cause if I wait for her to go into an emergency state. She would also currently be alone for long hours of the day due to my work schedule and I am concerned that she will be alone when she dies. I also do not want to be selfish and euthanize her prematurely due to my own fears. Again I would appreciate any feedback as to what would truly be the best option to provide my fur baby with the most comfort in her final days. Due to availability of a vet to provide home euthanasia is also a concern as this would have to be scheduled and prolonging the process may increase her risk for being placed in an emergency situation. Do you have any advice as to whether it is better to prolong her life at risk of having a medical emergency and how painful this would be versus a possibly premature scheduled euthanasia?
Dear Marie,
I am so sorry your senior girl has received such a devastating diagnosis. I understand your concern and worry about her being home alone and something tragic happening. Every dog is different and what is best for one may not be the best for the other. With that being said, I would rather say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. Sometimes the choice is taken out of our hands. For your dog’s specific case, considering euthanasia may be the most loving option and is definitely not selfish. I can’t think of a more loving act than to allow your own heart to break so your sweet girl can find peace and rest. I will attach links to other articles with additional information. Praying for your strength and comfort as you face the days ahead. Give you big girl a hug for me. ♥
1. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
2. In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers to 12 FAQs
We just learned Tuesday that our much loved Gracie has hemangiomasarcoma, and it has already spread to her liver and heart. We were told surgery is not an option. We have brought her home for palliative care and this week has been fairly good so far. She’s enjoying her chicken and rice, new toys, and the walks outside around the house.
I’m struggling about when to say goodbye. I don’t want her to suffer, but I don’t want to do it too soon when she may have some good times left in her. I want to do right by her. How will I know the time is right?
Dear Diana,
I am sorry Gracie has received such a tragic diagnosis. I am glad she is still happy and finding joy in her days. I know you want what is best for her and I wish I could offer more specific advice. In these circumstances, there really is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the timing of saying goodbye. I usually think it is best to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. I am hopeful that you will find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your sweet girl. Gracie is lucky to have you by her side. I am certain she knows how much she is loved. Bless you both. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
We lost our 16 year old Australian Cattle Dog Casey on 2/28/23. He survived 11 months after his diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. At the time of diagnosis, euthansia was recommended. We chose to bring him home. Our vet gave us gabapentin to keep him comfortable. The changes we were seeing seemed to be more related to him aging. He was sleeping more often and slower than usual. His tail continued to wag and he continued to love all of his favorite treats and loved being pet and surrounded by family. He had periods where he would refuse certain foods and would have difficulty with mobility. It would last 1-2 days and when we would take him to the vet, he bounced back to his usual self. The vet told me he did not appear in any pain but still cautioned us on what could happen and how traumatic it could be for him and us. We all continued to love Casey, snuggle with him as much as he allowed and made as many memories as we could. We truly struggled with the decision to euthanize him. I kept saying to myself I would never be able to forgive myself for euthanizing him if he still had time to make memories but I also did not want him to suffer. The day before he left us, I was off from work and he seemed more anxious than usual. He curled up on his bed and seemed to not want to be touched. I slept next to him that night. I woke up that morning to one yelp and I looked and he had vomited. He appeared to be unable to move and his stomach was distended. His gums were extremely pale. We rushed him to the Emergency vet where they said he had a faint pulse and it was time to euthanize him. Casey passed away with us surrounding him. Although we rescued him, he really rescued us and was loyal to us through all of our life changes. We are thankful for the 15 years he was a part of our family and all of the memories we have. I am sorry for any dog and owner who are currently going through this or have lost their beloved pet to this devastating diagnosis.
Dear Casey’s Family,
I am sorry for the recent loss of your senior boy. I can only imagine how much you miss him but what a blessing to have gained 11 extra months together. It is clear from your words just how much Casey was loved. I am certain he knew how important he was to your family and that your presence in his final moments was a comfort. Thank you for sharing his story with us. May his memory stay with you always. ♥
I also have a Gracie just diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma last month, it was actually found incidentally due to chronic diarrhea (which is not a symptom I am told ) she has tumors on her spleen so we started her on Prednisone and Yunnan Baiyao capsules to help stop bleeding when it occurs. I have another dog in the last stages of CLL (Leukemia) and this is tearing me apart. They are 11 and 8 years old. Both rescues. I constantly wonder when I will need to make the decision to let them go. My last dog ,Daisy , also died from Hemangioscarcoma but she just collapsed one day. I didn’t have a clue. This will now be my 3rd and 4th dog to die from cancer. I was worried about Gracie being alone when TeBone was diagnosed a year ago so I got her a puppy 5 months ago, now I learn she will probably die before TeBone. I am constantly checking their gums and watching to make sure they are breathing. This is really hard . I want to wake up and find out it is a dream . I don’t want to lose them both so close together. Reading others stories are helping me prepare. Thank you
Dear Karen,
My heart goes out to you with this tragic situation you are facing with both of your senior pups. I wish I had some great advice or something to say to take away the pain. Please know you are not alone. I am glad you were willing to reach out and share your story with us. I am praying for your strength as you navigate this emotional path. Wishing you peace and comfort for your heart. ♥
My 8 and half year old Corgi had been acting strange for a few months, mostly with being defensive with his food if our other pup too close or refusing to eat if one of the humans wasn’t in the room with him. It eventually turned into him refusing one meal of the day then outright wanting nothing to do with either. We tried wet food to entice him which worked while mixed in with his regular kibble but it quickly went from that to picking out to meaty bits to refusing all of it until we moved on to fresh boiled proteins. We booked a vet appointment thinking his lack of energy was due to him not eating, as it turns out they noticed his belly was quite swollen and his gums were pale and did a quick ultrasound and determined that there appeared to be a buildup of fluid around his spleen. They advised it could be a Hemangiosarcoma but they did not have a true technician in to understand what they are seeing. We found ourselves at the emergency vet 30 min later and they advised that they believe it is in fact cancerous and most likely Hemangiosarcoma but appears to be stable at the moment and our guy is probably experiencing symptoms from a slow bleed or a small bleed. Here we are a week later trying to keep our guy strong to explore a carefully planned surgery. It has been a battle, he does not wish to eat much other than a select couple of treats but we made it to our consultation with a surgery on the schedule in 3 more days. They confirmed there are no growths in his heart or lungs but there are nodules throughout his abdominal cavity. It’s hard with a dog still so young and who is normally full of life, we don’t know if he will make it through the next few days and still uncertain that we can afford the surgery realistically. Sure there’s always credit but there is no cure for this at the end of the day. Do we give him a couple of happy months at most in exchange for a debt that may take a few years to pay off? I can’t tell if it’s selfish to give him more time and a chance to be himself again or to choose to be more mindful of what we are reasonably capable of financially. Even a week later it just feels like my heart won’t stop breaking from the news and having so many options is hard to think straight through
Hi Esther,
My heart goes out to you as you navigate this difficult road with your Corgi. I wish there was a clear answer or some advice I could give you to help with the decision-making process. Unfortunately, circumstances like these are different for each dog and there really is no right or wrong answer. It is ok to forgo surgery and choose palliative/hospice care for your sweet boy. Sometimes letting go is the most loving option. If you decide to pursue surgery, I hope it goes smoothly and you receive some hopeful answers from the pathology report. Either way, I wish you quality time, not just quantity. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you both.
I just saw my vet on Thursday and my dog was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. he is a 12 yr old lab/Shep mix. With the hemangiosarcoma he has developed an arrhythmia. there is no internal bleeding yet. My vet suggested to take him home and let him live out his days (which are very short she said). she said please don’t stress him by running to an emergency vet if he collapses and is extremely pale. She said the passing would come quick at that point and we’d spend the last few moments of his life stressed in a car when he may not even make it there. She explained what the passing would be like and said I could schedule a euthanasia, but if it does begin before, to hold him, tell him I love him and let him pass. Thoughts?
Dear Lauren,
I am sorry your senior guy has received such a devastating diagnosis. The advice your vet gave sounds like the voice of wisdom to me. I hope you can make these last days full of love and joy for your pup. Praying his passing is peaceful and wishing you strength and comfort.
Dr Buzby,
This testimony helped me so much. We had to say goodbye to my constant companion Layla this afternoon. She was a Jack Russell just shy of her 12th birthday. She has always been a finicky eater and has had seasons of refusing to eat so when she recently started doing this we assumed it was her usual winter habit. She would walk away from some meals but then would eat in time for us to stop worrying. She had one episode about a week ago of her hind legs giving out and stool incontinence. With all the holiday chaos, I assumed she had gotten into something toxic. I tried to induce vomiting and she perked up and was completely normal soon after. She had a good few days. Then yesterday it happened again..this time she was incontinent of urine. She stopped eating but was drinking a lot of water. She walked up to bed without difficulty so we kept watch. In hindsight, her behavior was different. She was very calm and slept up at my head rather than curled up at my feet like she usually does. I noticed her nose felt cool. I thought her belly looked a little swollen but she was sprawled out and I second guessed my assessment. I noticed a small dark lesion on the skin of her abdomen that I didn’t think was there before. This morning she couldn’t walk. She seemed very unsteady on all four legs. I carried her and again she refused to eat but drank a lot of water. We took her to the emergency room. They noted her pale gums, shortness of breath with exertion, and distended abdomen. An ultrasound revealed fluid in abdomen and needle aspiration revealed blood. Her blood work was severely abnormal (hematocrit 15, platelets 32k, BUN very elevated and creatinine wouldn’t even register it was so high. And wbc and differential all abnormal. Her chest X-ray revealed metastasis in her lungs. We made the very difficult decision to humanely euthanize. My heart is broken. We have another senior dog whose health has been failing for some time now (almost 14 year old Labrador) and we thought he was the one who we would be losing soon. He is barely walking and eating. He has laryngeal paralysis, severe arthritis, and some kind of lung disease (bronchial pattern on chest X-ray) He has been vomiting frequently and having frequent incontinence also. Now we are faced with losing our two babies close together. She seemed so healthy until last week. I am in shock. Thank you for helping me understand more about this devastating diagnosis. I feel like because of the holidays being so busy I probably missed the subtle symptoms. It all fits in hindsight. I miss her so much. 💔
Dear Sally,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Layla. Try not to be burdened by the “what ifs”. This type of cancer can appear out of nowhere and without any warning. You acted quickly once you realized your sweet girl was in trouble and did everything you could to help her. It is clear how much you loved her, and I have no doubt she knew as well. I know your heart is grieving and you miss her terribly. I hope with time your heart will heal and pray your senior Lab will be able to stay strong. May Layla’s memory be a blessing and a comfort as you continue life’s journey.
thank you so much for posting this. Our sweet golden Maggie who is only 7 was dx w hemangioscarcoma of the heart, she has two masses in her right atrium and ventricle w mets to her lung, kidneys, skin and maybe liver yesterday. They offered us chemo since surgery was not an option but w a 1-3 month possible increase in life expectancy we didn’t think that was fair to her. We did opt to give some Chinese supplements, hoping that will help w bleeding. Her labs are all normal, no pericarditis or bleeding noted. She is eating and drinking like crazy, she is on prednisone too. She sleeps a lot but seems comfortable. She gets up eagerly to see us and visitors, wags her tail. We are so devastated. She is the best dog ever and our hearts are breaking. Our plan right now is to watch her for any changes and try to come to terms w this and make a appropriate plan for her. All I can do is cry at this point, just don’t want to let her go.
Dear Penny,
I am so sorry Maggie has received such a devastating diagnosis. I think it was a wise and loving choice to opt for palliative care. I am glad Maggie is feeling ok for now and has a good quality of life. Praying for your strength and comfort as you make difficult choices in the near future. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information and advice. Bless you both. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
Our beagle Roxie has had 2 surgeries in the past 2 years. 2 months after the last surgery, her tumor came back bleeding. No longer a candidate for surgery, she’s taking steroids and Benadryl.. On Thanksgiving she was given 1-2 months prognosis. Now the day after Christmas, her tumor has grown and is bleeding on both sides of the incision/scar from surgery. Still wanting treats, she’s a strong little girl….but I can’t imagine she’s not in pain as she now attempts to lick it so we have to cone her…when do we make THE decision? It’s so hard and we struggle with too soon and too late to make it…
Dear John,
My heart goes out to you and this difficult situation you are facing with Roxie. Trying to decide when to say goodbye is so hard. I always think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. It is clear that Roxie is well loved, and I have no doubt she knows how you feel. Saying goodbye will give her the peace and rest she has earned after a lifetime of devotion to her family. My thoughts are with you as you face these next days. Praying for your strength and comfort.
We.just lost our 10 year old Doberman mix. She didn’t show any signs of being sick, except the night before acting like she was cold and a little anxious. The next day she had just jumped on the bed, eating fine that morning and running in the yard, and started panting. I looked at her gums and they were very pale and she didn’t want to get up. We rushed her to the vet er and she had ruptured a tumor on her liver. Her abdomen was full of blood and the ultrasound showed other masses on her liver. The vet told us she was not a surgical candidate because of the masses on her liver and there was nothing they could do for her. We euthanized her on their recommendation. It is a shock. I keep thinking what did I not catch? I always take my animals to the vet when I think something could be wrong and she had just had bloodwork in October. I also have another dog and a cat that are up in age, 11 and 16, and now I am terrified to lose them too. My heart is broken. This article helped and I know she didn’t suffer so I appreciate it. I hope the best for anyone else that catches it early.
Dear Leslie,
I am sorry for the recent loss of your senior girl. This terrible disease can form very quickly with no warning. There was probably nothing you missed or could have done differently. You acted quickly when you realized there was a problem and ultimately made the most loving choice to give your sweet girl peace from her suffering. Try to carry around the unnecessary burden of the “what ifs”. You did not fail her. I hope with time your heart will heal and you will be comforted knowing you gave her a wonderful life. May the memories of the good times bring you joy. Bless you.
Our 12 year old Coco, who is a very active Dalmatian, wouldn’t get up after returning home from running around at the dog park. She also wouldn’t eat- first time ever. We took her to our vet who referred us to an internist. An ultrasound confirmed a mass on her spleen, 5cm by 5cm. The next day the surgeon removed her spleen. There was evidence of previous hemorrhage. She stayed all night at the clinic and is now home, resting comfortably and eating again. Now is the excruciating wait until we get the histopathology report back, which is another 5-7 days. If it is hemangiosarcoma we will probably go with chemotherapy. It is disturbing that the treatment option – doxorubicin – hasn’t improved in 50 years. We are praying for the best but expecting the worst based on statistics. We are doing our best to keep from being overwhelmed with sadness.
Hi Roberto,
I am sorry Coco is facing such an uncertain future but glad the surgery went well. What a blessing you were able to get a diagnosis so quickly and intervene before a fatal bleed occurred. Have you received the histopathology results? Praying for a positive outcome and that Coco will have many happy days ahead. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
Hi Dr. Buzby — Yesterday I found out that my 12 and 1/2 year old Weimaraner/GSD cross, Juno, has a splenic mass and multiple masses in her liver. X-rays confirmed it has not spread to her lungs. I made the difficult decision to bring her home for palliative care only. Given her age and the prognosis, I just didn’t think I could put her through the surgery. Today has been a good day. She happily ate and is playing with the new toys I bought her. I’ve contemplated scheduling the at-home euthanasia, but I’m considering taking it day by day. I don’t know what else to do.
Dear Monica,
I am so sorry Juno has received such a devastating diagnosis. I am glad you are able to offer her palliative care and keep her home with you for her final days. I agree, all you can really do is take it day by day. You could go ahead and talk with the vet you plan to have come to your home for euthanasia and get all the details planned out. I hope you can make the most of the time you have together. Praying Juno’s passing will be smooth and peaceful. Bless you. ♥
my 13 yr old Black plot mix has a soft tissue carsonma He has had 3 surgeries for this in the last 2 years… every 6 months this tumor reappears. And now he has 4 lumps where the surgery scar is and one is getting aggressively bigger. the last surgery his tumor ruptured at Christmas and me and my husband had to keep bandaging it it bled and fell apart in our hands. But we finally got him to surgery and he always does well after! its like he never had surgery at all. But now its back, and they say that don’t want to operate on him because they don’t have enough skin to stretch and sew it up…dont know what to expect…had X-rays not in lungs or tummy. He is not having issues yet….but it’s getting bigger by the day and probably will rupture…I don’t want him to bleed out and feel pain! But we can’t put him down..when he still is eating properly and bathroom breaks are normal, running with his brother Cash, and giving us kisses when we rub his belly..and don’t forget the treats….what should we do?? don’t want him to be in pain..how will we know??? sigh!
Dear Chris,
I am sorry you are facing such a difficult situation with your senior pup. Unfortunately, there is no way to know when the mass will rupture or become an emergency issue. It is likely your boy will remain happy and stable until the day everything quickly declines. My best advice is to go ahead and have the emotional discussions about what you want for your sweet boy’s end of life plan. Do you want an in-home euthanasia? Does your vet offer palliative/hospice care? I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. I know you don’t want to end your dog’s life prematurely, but I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and your senior guy. Wishing you comfort and peace as you navigate this difficult path.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Hi Dr.. ,
Thank you for sharing you stories and kind words. Sorry for the loss of your sweet Lulu and Swiper. Our 10 year old Golden Retriever – Hero, collapsed on us Saturday ( Dec 3). We rush him to the Atlantic Vet College. He was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma- 2 large masses on his spleen. We decided against surgery and chemotherapy. ( we wish we could but cannot afford it). We took him home. The radiologist told us he had 1-3 wks. Without surgery- but who knows. Hero is doing good 4 days after his diagnosis . Still eating and drinking good. Waking around wagging his tail. I’m not sure what to do . We worry about the tumours rupturing . He does not seem to be in any pain. The veterinarian did mention steroids? It seems like all we can do is wait for the tumours to erupt.
Dear Catherine,
I am so sorry you are facing such a tragic diagnosis in your Golden. Unfortunately, the only options you have at this point are waiting for an emergency situation to happen or schedule a day to say goodbye while your sweet boy is still feeling ok. How is Hero feeling today? I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and your pup. Praying for your strength and clarity for difficult decisions ahead. Bless you.
Hi to everyone, Alpha, My 10 year-old German Shepherd was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma on December 16th after his third weakened state from blood loss from the tumor on his spleen.. An ultrasound showed lots of blood in his abdomen. His first episode was around Thanksgiving.. Episodes were 12-14 days apart. He’s been taking Yunnan Baiyao for 5 days to help with bleeding.. He’s been his normal self for 8 days.. I have a euthanasia appointment on December 26th.. Having a hard time convincing my son that Alpha could suddenly bleed out any day..It’s just difficult putting him down when he seems his old self.. Thanks to all of you for sharing..
Dear Mark,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Alpha. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to make the decision to say goodbye. You did right by your sweet boy were able to prevent unnecessary suffering and pain. I hope your son was able to see what a loving choice this was. Praying for your comfort. May Alpha’s memory be a blessing. ♥
Thank you so much for posting this information. We lost our Vizsla on the 1st of December to a burst hemangiosarcoma. He was a month away from being 12 and just a ball of joy in our home. The day he died everything seemed normal. He went for a walk with me, had his breakfast, etc. At around noon I noticed something was really wrong and we rushed to the ER. He had a mass on his spleen filling his abdomen with blood and the vet said she was pretty sure he had a mass on either his heart or lungs but it was apparently hard to tell due to all the fluid. We were told there were really no options but to say goodbye and so we did. Since that day I have felt guilty wondering if it was really as bleak a situation as the vet said and should I have pushed to try something. Reading everything here has made me feel better about the choice I made. We miss him terribly but I am glad he got to do his favorite thing, go for a walk, on his last day and that he did not have to feel miserable for very long.
Dear Heather,
I am sorry for your recent loss of your senior dog. I am glad you found some comfort from the article and definitely think you made the best decision to give your sweet guy peace. I hope with time your heart will heal. May his memory be a blessing to you and your family.
I had to make the decision to euthanize my 10 year old, Binny, on 11.25.2022. We were out for a walk in the evening and he was so happy. All of the sudden he froze and would not move at all, not his head, but was able to stand. Then he came out of it and began walk slowly then back to a trot. Within about 3 minutes, another episode, only this time there was no ability for him to begin walking. We had to carrying him home in what was a catatonic and in shock state. This boy was an avid lover of treats. When I would call out the word “treat” he would go crazy. When I said it to him in this “state”, not even a flinch of expression or movement was possible. When we got him to the ER vet within 30 more minutes, he still did not respond or move. Was this normal or was it shock or a possible heart attack or stroke? I should have asked the vet about this but was waiting for all of our family to come and see him the last time and all the shock of finding out he was bleeding out due to this mass in the abdomen attached to the spleen. From the comments above, other dogs had bleeding masses but were responsive to owners. Was he already gone?
Dear Michelle,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Binny. Since I wasn’t there to witness the events myself, it is hard to say for sure why he was so unresponsive. It could have been due to the amount of blood loss or maybe some seizure activity related to shock. I can only imagine how emotional and difficult that day must have been for you and your family. What a blessing you were with Binny and able to act quickly once he started showing signs of distress. I am sure he was comforted by your presence and have no doubt he knew how much he was loved. May his memory stay with you always. Bless you. ♥
I feel better after reading the stories posted here. My shi tuz Braxton was one month shy of 14 years old. I am currently out of the country and last night the dog sitter called to tell me he was acting strange. He was ok yesterday morning but when she arrived back after work he had pooped in the house a few times. Then it became jelly like then straight blood. Had her take him to the emergency vet and I was told he had a tumor on his spleen and was critical. He had a lot of blood in his abdomen. He had blood work a month ago and the number of “new” red blood cells was elevated but still normal. We decided to wait for a bit. I now know this was what was happening. I feel terribly guilty that I dying look into it more then but I’m not even sure that would have mattered. I decided to end my boys pain but the most horrific part was that we could only be on FaceTime. The dr couldn’t make any promises that he’d make it until we could get back this evening. My poor boy didn’t have his mommy there when he passed and I’m soooo devastated. I just hope he could hear me as I spoke to him and knows how much I love him. This is awful and I wish I was more educated about the possibility of it being internal bleeding. I’m heartbroken. It all happened so quickly
Dear Melissa,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Braxton. I am so sorry you could not be there with him during his final moments but have no doubt he could hear your voice (hearing is one of the last things that go) and knew how much he was loved. What a blessing your dog sitter was able to recognize he was in trouble and acted quickly to get the medical attention he desperately needed. I know you are grieving without your sweet boy by your side but hope you can let go of the unnecessary burden of the “what ifs”. You did not fail him. Praying with time your heart will heal. May Braxton’s memory be a blessing.
Hi Dr Buzby. Thank you for your story of your beloved pups. Our golden doodle , Lacey, was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma in the spleen and nodules on the lungs on 11/4 22 She is on prednisone, yunnam baiyao and gabapentin. She is sleeping more than usual and we can hear her breathing. She is walking to the backyard to do her business. Her gums look normal and she is eating and drinking her water . We are watching her very closely and don’t want her to suffer at all. She is our world and I don’t want to stretch her life for us, but so far she seems comfortable. If you have any more ideas, please advise. Her mass is very large and not operable.
Hi Susan,
It sounds like you are doing everything you can for sweet Lacey. What a blessing she has remained stable, and you are gaining precious extra time with her. I am not sure I have any extra advice on things to help prolong her life. My best advice is to go ahead now while things are good and make plans for what you would like to do once difficult choices have to be made. Any arrangements or decisions that can be made ahead of time will save you much grief and heartache when Lacey is nearing her last day. Make the most of this gift of time together and give your pup a hug for me. Bless you both. ♥
We are in a very similar situation to this with our 11 yo Tillie. I am wondering if there is an update here? I feel like she is getting closer to an emergency situation but I am filled with dread ion putting her down also. I feel so selfish…I don’t want her to suffer.
Hi Emile,
How are things with Tillie today? I can only imagine the stress and worry you are under each day. Deciding when to say goodbye is the hardest choice you’ll ever have to make. I wish I had more advice and could lift some of the burden you are carrying. Here are links to other articles that may offer additional information and great comments from other readers:
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
I hope you find the answers you are looking for and am praying for your strength and comfort. ♥
Thank you for sharing your story. My sweet baby boy Max was a tiny 11 lb about 12 year old Jack Russell Terrier. Tragedy struck Memorial day weekend, on Monday May 30th 2022. I took him swimming to my friends pool. When he came out, he was shaking a lot and I figured he was just cold. I set out his bed with a blanket in the sun and gave him a treat to chew on while we ate. After a couple of minutes he came up to me and I noticed he couldn’t keep his balance, was confused, lethargic and weak. I thought he was choking or had swallowed too much water and ran off with him to an emergency vet. The first one I went to was closed due to the holiday. Finally 30 mins later was able to get him in one where they dried him up and put him on a heating blanket. He was walking strange. He had lost motion control of his front left paw and I assumed he had a stroke. He couldn’t bend it forward to put down on ground, was kind of dragging it. After they stabilized him, I took him to his regular vet that was closer to home as I wanted them to take care of him in case he had to stay overnight so I could stay close to him. When I got here they performed a CBC panel and a full x-ray panel as well. They did find muffled heart sounds and suspected a murmur although it was difficult to appreciate the heart sounds fully. He was okay for the most part, just seemed very tired so I took him home to rest while we waited for results, since we lived less than 15 mins away. During his time home he drank lots of water (as he has been previously diagnosed in 2021 with stage 1 kidney disease), peed and went to lay down. When he was in bed he threw up the bone he had been chewing on earlier so I figured that’s what was causing all of this and he would be okay. He was still exhausted for the most part. We came back an hour later for the results which showed his cardiac silhouette was generally large (vertebral score of 13). On the left lateral radiograph, over the dorsal aspect of cervical trachea there was a soft tissue opacity that was likely overriding esophagus (probably the bone given prior to visit but he did throw it up at home). There was also a moderate amount of linear soft tissues opacities within the stomach. The radiographic findings also showed there was narrowing of the intervertebral disc spaces and mild spondylosis deformans of the cranial lumbar spine. Because the generalized cardiomegaly was not identified and based on the decreased cardiac sounds they heard, his vet concluded that pericardial fluid or dilated cardiomyopathy were the primary diagnosis. I wanted to keep him overnight at our vet with fluids given as I still hoped this just had something to do with him swallowing too much water at the pool even though his head never really submerged. His vet said they didn’t do overnight stays and suggested I go to a specialty animal hospital to perform an echo to further evaluate the cardiomegaly. I told him okay I’ll go tomorrow morning as Maxi and I already had a long day and the specialty clinic was 40 minutes away but he insisted I go as soon as I left here. The way he said it came with such urgency, I was terrified because I felt that there was something he knew that I didn’t yet. When I got to the specialty clinic they performed another emergency exam which included an ultrasound and an echocardiogram that showed fluid around his heart. They had to “tap” him or perform a pericardiocentesis quickly to remove the fluid. After they drained the fluid I got my dog happy as can be back again. I felt such a relief, he probably did too. I presumed everything would be okay, but that was just the beginning of my nightmare as they had to determine what caused the pericardial effusion in the first place. He had elevated kidney values (they said probably due to the decreased blood flow to the kidneys as a result of the pericardial effusion) and they had also found some fluid around his lungs and abdomen. They suspected a cardiac hemangiosarcoma as they also found a 2 cm mass on his heart. Just to be safe I decided to keep him monitored at the clinic overnight. When I picked him up the following day, they told me he only had a trace of pericardial effusion remaining (good news cause it had not built up overnight) and his heart rate had normalized. He was brighter and eating well. They discharged him and I was able to take him home with theophylline 100 mg tablets and Yunnan Baiyao capsules (the miracle supplement) that would help decrease the frequency and severity of his bleeding. The same day we left the clinic I took him to get some boots and socks as I figured this would help minimize any slip due to the difficulty of walking from his front paw. He was eating a treat in the car and seemed back to normal. I bought him a couple new toys as well as he loves the loud squeaky ones. The following days my very hyperactive jack russell was still playing with his toys (they had told me to minimize activity for the most part but it was hard for him as he LOVES to play and this made him happy), eating (not so much but still eating) his KD kidney care wet food as the vet had put him on this diet following his kidney disease diagnosis, and got lots and lots of rest. As a worried pet mom I kept checking his gums constantly (not to miss them being pale) in case he was bleeding internally again. When I went to work I had someone constantly with him at all times even if he was just sleeping to keep checking his gums. We spent the next couple days doing the same things we did together as if nothing had changed. On Wednesday that same week late at night I noticed his breathing was really fast and he was uncomfortable trying to sleep so around 1 am I took him back to the specialty clinic to get an inhaler. Spent all Thursday playing and having relaxing time together. He didn’t really want to eat (maybe a bite or two) which made me sad but I thought it was normal with the medications he was on. On Friday June 3rd I noticed his gums a little lighter than usual, not PALE but just a lighter pink. I got him ready with his raincoat and away we went back to the clinic. They took him back and did another echo and noticed the fluid around his heart had come back, not excessively, but just enough to tap him again. The staff thanked me for coming in when I did. I patiently waited in a room while they drained the fluid and shortly after a doctor stopped by to explain what they did and she recommended taking him to the cardiologist and an oncologist as soon as possible. I agreed, and before leaving she told me someone would bring him back when they were done draining him. When someone finally brought him back, he was coughing. Like uncomfortably. So I asked the guy that was holding him..is Max okay?? and he assured me he wasn’t coughing a minute before, that it must have been the way he carried him to the room. I said in NO way is my dog okay and he immediately took him back to get checked again. 10 minutes go by and I have this SINKING pit in my stomach and just start uncontrollably crying as I had an incredibly bad feeling just set all over me. I knew Max wasn’t coming home with me today. My boyfriend had met me there after class and assured me he would be fine, and they’d bring him back ready to take home in no time. I couldn’t explain the feeling, I just felt something wasn’t right. I was waiting on Maxi but instead the doctor comes in again and says the fluid around his heart had quickly came back less than 30 minutes after they did the first pericardiocentesis upon arrival. She recommended euthanasia right then and there, explaining that fluid coming back around his heart so quickly wasn’t normal, that he didn’t have a good prognosis and I probably would not be able to care for him at home as the fluid was filling up again quicker and quicker. I SOBBED as I tried to plead with her in seeing if there was anything else we could do but it was too late to get him to a cardiologist or oncologist. I finally agreed to the euthanasia and waited for them to bring me my dog to exchange our final goodbyes. When they rolled him in with the IV ready to go in his leg and a blanket, he was STILL COUGHING unable to catch a single breath. I quickly hugged him, cried over him, yelling that I loved him, that I was sorry and that he would be okay. Seeing him suffering the way he was in his final moments I only had less than a minute to say all this before the vet said “we have to do this now”. Those words still HAUNT ME. I couldn’t properly say goodbye to my best friend or even explain to him what was going on. He was choking and clearly in pain. I tried to get him to kiss me one more time but he couldn’t catch a breath. I finally decided to end his suffering. At 3:30 pm on June 3rd 2022 I lost my best friend to a heart hemangiosarcoma. Not even a week after his diagnosis. I had him privately cremated. My world was completely crushed and I still cry over him almost 6 months after his passing. I miss him terribly. I haven’t been able to get another dog. I can’t, and I don’t think I ever will. I miss you every single day maxi, mom loves you forever and ever. I’m so sorry my baby boy. I hope we reunite one day very soon. I’ll be waiting for you.
Dear Joyce,
I am so sorry for your loss of Max. It is clear from your words just how much you loved him and that you would have done anything for him. I have no doubt he knew this and was comforted by your presence during his final moments. You did right by your sweet boy in allowing him to find peace and end his suffering. The grieving process is so very hard, but I hope with time your heart will heal. May Max’s memory be a blessing that will follow you all the days of your life. Praying for your strength and comfort.
I just wanted to thank everyone and Dr. Buzby for what they have offered here. We lost our 12 year old Siberian Husky yesterday to what the vet said was probably hemangiosarcoma. On Friday morning she ran her usual 5 miles with my husband and went for her normal afternoon one mile walk with me. By evening, she started limping a bit and we thought she may have sprained her front leg. By morning, she had collapsed and we rushed her to the vet. Tumor on her spleen which had ruptured. Within an hour we were faced with making some very hard choices: multiple transfusions (she was now in shock) to try to stabilize her for surgery, surgery with a good chance she might survive it, and maybe a few months of life. We made the incredibly difficult decision to say good-bye, and like so many others, have spent the last 24 hours 2nd guessing and asking the “what if” questions. We now know we certainly did make the best decision for Keeper. Thank all of you for helping us come to that conclusion.
Dear Diane,
I am so sorry for your recent loss of Keeper. Saying goodbye is always difficult but especially when things are happening fast, and you don’t have time to emotionally process it all. You absolutely did make the best choice for your sweet girl by offering her peace and ending her suffering. It is clear she was well loved, and I have no doubt she knew. I am glad you were able to find some peace and comfort with your decisions after reading the experiences and advice of others. May Keeper’s memory be a blessing as you continue life’s journey. ♥
We just had our 10 year old beagle Ginger put to sleep Thursday because of bleeding tumor in her liver. I’m so grateful that I found this site and your explanations of Hemangiosarcomas and the stories about Lulu and Swiper. We had never heard of this disease until that day and Ginger had not shown any symptoms until that morning. A few hours later, our vibrant little girl was gone. We made the right decision for her but it was so hard to see her go.
Dear Pete,
My heart goes out to you with your recent loss of Ginger. I know you are grieving her absence but hope you will find comfort in knowing you allowed her to find peace and rest from her suffering. May her memory be a blessing.
I took my 10 year old lab-mix Ellie to the vet for what I thought was kennel cough. After running some tests, it was determined that she had hemangiosarcoma in her spleen – that had spread to her lungs, which was causing the cough. I discussed options with my vet, and it was determined that the most humane option for her was euthanasia. She gave me 10 good years – so I owed her the opportunity not to suffer anymore that she already had. Looking back on it, the signs were there – she had lost weight, was drinking more water, panting more frequently…but I unfortunately did not even have this disease on my radar to even know it was a possibility. I’m so glad I found this article, so I am more informed – and confirms any doubt that I made the right decisions.
Dear Michelle,
I am sorry for your loss of Ellie. I am glad you found some peace about your decisions from the information in the article. You did right by your sweet girl and took action as soon as you realized there was an issue. This cancer can show up with very little warning and the symptoms can be vague and look like old dog changes. Try not to carry around the unnecessary burden of the “what ifs”. I have no doubt your girl knew how much you loved her. Thank you for sharing your story with our readers. May Ellie’s memory be a blessing.
Thank you for posting this article and for everyone’s stories. My 10 year old boy Dune was a perfectly normal, muscular strong active fella with a healthy appetite. The morning of October 26th he had 2 bowel movements and vomited twice so I thought he’d eaten something he shouldn’t have. He was also breathing abnormally so we headed to the emergency vet. He had a fluid around his heart. They were able to drain the fluid and stabilize him but confirmed he had a mass on the right side of his heart. We met with an oncologist Thursday and scheduled for chemo Friday but he hadn’t been eating so we postponed chemo to Tuesday to see if we could get him eating again. Saturday, he had a great day. Sunday he slept most the day and was winded just from going potty. Early Monday morning I took him back to the vet and they drained 1.3 liters of fluid off his lungs. We crossed our fingers he would stabilize and I took him home. He was never able to get comfortable and would groan and whimper so we went back at 5 am to find out he had more fluid on his lungs. The emergency vet didn’t think he would survive to get chemo the next day. I’m still struggling with the decision to let him go because he came running down the hall at the vet and stood facing the door to leave and go home. I really wanted to bring him home but I didn’t want him to suffer and despite his bravery I knew he was in pain. It is such a hard decision. I know he was confused and the suddenness of it all defies logic.
Dear Erin,
I am so sorry for your loss of Dune. I know saying goodbye was probably the hardest decision you have ever made, but you did right by your sweet boy. You did the only thing you could to make sure there would be no more suffering and offer him peace and rest. I have no doubt he knew how much he was loved. My heart goes out to you as you work through your emotions and grief. I hope with time you will be comforted knowing Dune was well loved and had a full life. May his memory be a blessing that stays with you forever. ♥
Thank-you and everyone so much for sharing ❤️
One week ago today, our seemingly healthy and energetic 9-year old Lily started acting weird. Her balance seemed off and she kept raising/lifting one of her back legs. I thought she was maybe experiencing some sort of leg pain as she’s had TPLO’s on both hind legs. She then collapsed and threw up, however, and I knew something else was wrong. Our local vet diagnosed it as a seizure or stroke and sent us home with meds, but at home she wouldn’t take the medication even with the best human snacks. She then started having nystagmus and I just knew something was wrong. Given it was Friday, the vet had now closed. We rushed her to the 24/7 emergency vet 45 min away. Within less than 15 minutes they gave us the devastating diagnosis of blood in the stomach likely from a ruptured tumor. We had to make the difficult decision to say good-bye. The “what ifs” are the worst and I cannot stop wishing I would have been more attentive and thinking if we would have caught it before it ruptured that she could be here with us now. The stories of your pups and all the others that have shared have brought some peace, even if they can’t take the pain away.
Sorry for the loss of all your friends 🐾
Dear Ashley,
I am so sorry for your recent loss of Lily. Many times, there are no symptoms or signs of an issue prior to the rupture and bleeding event. So please don’t carry around the burden of guilt over not catching this sooner. You did not fail your girl! She was well cared for and deeply loved, and I have no doubt she knew. I am glad you were with her and able to offer peace and rest from her suffering. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Bless you and may Lily’s memory be a comfort to your heart.
What is the difference between Histiocytic Sarcoma and the cancer your talking about on this blog? I have 8 yr old Rottie, with or at least they think it’s histiocytic sarcoma.,we didn’t have surgery., but have done one round of chemotherapy., she is still eating well and does her morning walk of a just a mile.,yelps sometimes when laying down., or moves a quick way.,she does sleep most of the day.,not sure if it’s the cancer or pain meds?? Our vet didn’t talk of her having any ruptures,two weeks age she had bleeding from her nose,a lot the vet didn’t seem concerned about it?? After reading these blogs and your post not sure what my dog us., I am very confused.,Thank you for writing this!
Hi Nancy,
I am so sorry your girl is suspected to have this devastating diagnosis. It is hard to explain the differences in these two types of cancerous processes. I think the best thing is for me to give you information to read through and see if it helps to clear up some of your questions. Here is a link to another article about hemangiosarcoma: Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
As for histiocytic sarcoma, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine has great information on their website that explains the different types, symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis. Here is a link to the medical oncology page about this specific disease: https://hospital.cvm.ncsu.edu/services/small-animals/cancer-oncology/oncology/canine-histiocytic-sarcoma/
I hope this helps some. Praying for you and your sweet girl. Bless you both.
I lost my sweet, 13-year-old retriever Lincoln one week ago today. He was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma just days before. I took him to the vet when he was lethargic, and wouldn’t eat his favorite treats. I was told it was bleeding in his liver.
He went home with me and did the same hail mary (Yunnan Baiyao) but he deteriorated so fast over those two days. He could no longer stand, his breathing was laboured and his heart was beating quite fast. He had no interest in any foods (not even bacon – his favourite!)
On Sunday morning when he could no longer take even two steps to urinate and fell over I could take no more. I arranged for an at-home vet to come and gracefully assist him in transitioning from this world.
I am heartbroken. I do not know if I will heal from losing him so fast. He was my soul mate.
Dear Laura,
I understand your grief over the loss of Lincoln. Saying goodbye to a beloved pup is the hardest thing but also the most loving. You did everything you could to make sure your boy was comfortable and pain free. I have no doubt he knew how much he was loved. I am glad he was able to spend his last moments at home with you by his side. May his memory be a blessing that stays with you forever.
We made the incredibly difficult decision to say goodbye to our 10 year old German Shorthaired Pointer last night to a splenic hemangiosarcoma. He had some lipomas that had grown too big for comfort in his armpit, his hip, and on his stomach, so he underwent surgery to have them removed on Thursday 11/10. He got home from surgery and was understandably uncomfortable and a little out of it from the drugs. He wouldn’t eat and didn’t want to lay down, but he had stitches in a lot of awkward spots, we figured he was just uncomfy. The next morning, he threw up his breakfast, slept for a little bit, and then when he went outside for a bathroom break, he collapsed in the grass and wouldn’t get up. We were able to get him up and in the house, but a little while later, the same thing happened. We drove him up to the vet to get checked out, as we were now worried this was more than normal surgery recovery. In the car, his paws felt cold, he would have fits of panting, his gums were pale, and he was overall very lethargic. He also appeared to have lost so much weight, more than what you’d expect after only a day’s worth of not eating. Sure enough, the vet told us he had a mass on his spleen that had ruptured and was bleeding into his abdomen. He did not seem confident that he would make it through another surgery, given that he was already so unstable and lost so much blood. We had no choice but to make the tragic decision to end his suffering and say goodbye. It’s been really hard to grapple with because before his surgery on Thursday, he was a perfectly healthy boy. No sign of anything – he was still acting like a puppy! It’s been really hard not to feel like the surgery that was supposed to help him was ultimately his demise, even though the vet assured us that the mass had likely been there for months and was likely due to burst anyways. The “what if’s” have been haunting us all day, and we are all still in such shock that this even happened to our precious boy.
Dear Katelyn,
My heart aches for you with this recent tragic loss of your senior boy. I know you are grieving and second guessing each decision that was made. But I agree with your vet and can honestly say that the timing of this was coincidental, and it would have happened anyway. It is probably a blessing that your dog had just had surgery and you were with him and could act quickly once these symptoms became apparent. I hate to think what may have happened had he been home alone. You did everything you could to give your sweet boy good quality time. I would have made the same choice for my own. Try not to carry around the unnecessary burden of guilt. You did not fail him. I am praying for your comfort and that you will allow yourself some grace. May the memories of the good days be a blessing in your life.
I’m so sorry. My best friend also passed from this terrible disease – just last week. Please take good loving care of yourself.
Dear Dr. Buzby,
My dog Toby — a ten year old Rottweiler Beagle mix — has been on and off lethargic over the past month or so. He is usually quite happy to go for hikes in the mountains just outside our doorstep but he has either resisted going out or shortened most of our hikes.
He’s had a blood test, x-ray and now an ultrasound that shows two masses on his spleen plus evidence of nodules on his liver and his lungs. I don’t yet know whether the masses or nodules are benign or cancerous.
My vet is recommending surgery to remove the spleen and biopsy the masses/nodules as the next step. All of this will cost $3,000 +. If he has the surgery and we find out that these growths are cancerous, I would not be willing to pay for chemotherapy to extend his life another 3-6 months.
There is no evidence so far that these masses are bleeding. I am considering waiting a month or so to have another ultrasound to see if there is more spread. Then I could be surer that it’s cancer without having to put him through the surgery.. My vet says there is still a risk that a benign tumor can bleed and that can be life threatening.
I feel caught in a difficult place without all the information I need unless he has the surgery but I’m hesitant to do this if he can continue to have a high quality of life as long as possible.
I would love to hear any insight you might have about this situation.
Hi Jim,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior boy. Without examining your dog myself, it is hard to make specific recommendations. Usually if there is only a singular mass and no sign of metastasis, I would pursue surgery. Since your pup has nodules in his liver and lungs it does make things much more complicated. I am worried these could be evidence of a cancer that has already spread to other parts of the body, but like you mentioned, without removing the spleen and sending it off for pathological review there is no way to know for sure. I will attach links to other articles on this same topic. There may be additional information or comments from other readers that could help with the decision-making process. Ultimately, it would not be wrong if you decide to forgo surgery and opt for hospice/palliative care. Sometimes quality of life is worth more than quantity. I hope you can find the answers you need to make a choice you can be at peace with. Bless you.
1. Splenic Masses in Dogs: Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
2. Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
3. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
Our 10 yr 10 month old Golden Retriever, named Maggie, wasn’t eating her food very well just last weekend. being an older Golden, I’m aware of their risk of cancer, so I felt of her abdominal area and could feel a lump when she would lay on either side. Took her to vet on Tuesday (11-8-2022), they did an xray and it showed a large mass in her abdominal. The doctor told me it was probably in her spleen. After long consultation with thr doctor we have scheduled a spleenectomy for her on 11-18. She is acting fine and I’ve got her back to eating good, again. Her bloodwork was all just slightly low with iron and rbc levels, so they have ordered blood and will probably need to do transfusions during surgery. I’m still at the shock phase and, after researching on the internet, I’m getting more and more scared. I’m hoping I made the right choice. I can’t sit back and do nothing, waiting for it to rupture and watch her suffer from internal bleeding. The Vet has told me there’s a high possibility she may not survive the surgery, but I’m a firm believer in “Better to try and fail, than not try at all.”
Like I said, this is completely new to me and I would love any advice anyone could give me.
Thanks for listening.
Hi Kathy,
I can only imagine how worried you must be for your sweet girl facing this important surgery next week. I think you are making the right decision with choosing surgery. There is a chance this could be curative and give your dog a lot of extra quality time. I will attach links to other articles about this topic with great comments from other readers. Praying all goes well and before you know it your girl will be home resting and recovering. Let us know how things go if you get a chance. I’ll be looking for your update!
1. Splenic Masses in Dogs: Types, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
2. Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, and Life Expectancy
First off, thank you for all of the info. I first noticed the lump on my 7 year old boxer last Christmas. When we got her into the vet in January they confirmed she had a hemangiosarcoma in her abdomen. Due to the location surgery was not an option as they said it woukd require too much surgical mesh to close her. They gave us a prognosis of 1-5 months which could be extended to 6 months if we did chemo. We made the difficult decision to not do chemo for 1 extra month. We are now in month 11 and the tumor is the size of a volleyball. Yesterday we called and booked the appointment to euthanize her next Thursday. Her gums are beginning to pale, she has lost 7lbs in the last month (despite ALL the treats) and she is starting to have accidents in the house. She sleeps 95% of the time. Reading your article made me feel better about our decision to help her pass on peacefully. After all she has done for us it’s the least we can do for her ❤️
Dear Stacie,
I am sorry your dog’s health is declining and you are facing this difficult decision. I know that saying goodbye is the hardest part but what a blessing to be able to give your sweet girl peace and rest. I am amazed she was able to hang on for so many months and keep fighting despite her diagnosis. I am sure it has been wonderful to have so much extra time to love on her. I hope her passing will be smooth and peaceful. Praying for your strength and comfort. ♥
Two nights ago, on 11/8/22, our Frenchton (1/2 French Bulldog, 1/2 Boston Terrier) was laying down when we came home after being gone only two hours. Before we left, he ate his dinner and some treats normally. We arrived back home and he jumped down off the couch with our other two to greet us. We always go immediately downstairs to let them outside to potty, but he did not come down. He was laying flat on his stomach at the top of the stairs. I checked his gums which were very pale. After about 30 minutes, I knew something was wrong and we took him to the ER Vet. After examination, they told us that he was bleeding into his abdomen and most likely from a tumor on his spleen. The words “he may not make it” hit us like a ton of bricks! He had been totally fine, with the exception of being really needy the past couple of months and seemed a bit more reluctant to go up and down stairs, which we thought, well he is 8 years old, maybe he is getting a little stiff in his joints. We were invited back into the treatment area where he had just had an IV hooked up. We were crying so hard! We were totally unprepared for this…and so suddenly! While I had his head in my hands talking to him, telling him how much we loved him, his eyes began nystagmus (spelling ?). The vet seemed to know what to expect next, but we sure did not. Our sweet boy convulsed and had a terrible seizure and the vet was holding him tightly in his arms and I was trying to convince my husband, who was literally on the floor wailing and sobbing, that we had to let him go. Then his IV blocked and they were having trouble getting a vein to be able to start the sedation and euthanasia so for minutes, what seemed like hours, they were finally able to sedate him so his body relaxed again on the table. They then were able to complete letting him go. We were allowed to take his body into a “comfort” room where we could hold him. We had our other two girls in the car and I thought it would be best for them to come say good bye to their brother. My husband brought them in one at a time. I don’t know if they truly understand why we are crying all the time now for the past two days. Our youngest girl was always playing with Oliver and she seems sad and lost. Our older girl just seems to want to comfort us by licking our faces as we cry. We brought his blanket home with us so they could smell it and we sleep with it. Oliver was the most happy go lucky, joy filled, fun loving boy ever and even with the two girls, our house is quiet and sad and a huge part of our hearts are missing and broken. We are riddled with guilt because we feel like we should have taken him to the vet for X-rays a couple months ago when we noticed some subtle changes. He did have mast cell tumor on his hind leg two years ago which was removed and we were always checking his body since them, but for some reason, it never occurred to us that there could be something inside. We are broken and I am not sure how to get through the coming days without the light of our lives. This is the worst pain ever!!!
Dear Patti,
My heart aches for you with your recent loss of Oliver. I know you are grieving but please don’t carry around the burden of guilt over the “what ifs”. You made the difficult decision to give your sweet boy peace from his suffering and allowed him to find rest. Even if you had taken him in to be evaluated weeks earlier, the tumor may not have been large enough to be detected and the outcome may not have changed. You did not fail him. I am glad you were with Oliver in his last moments. I am sure it was comforting to him to be by your side, and I have no doubt he knew how much he was loved. I pray with time your heart will heal. May his memory be a blessing to you and your family. ♥
Thank you for this post. We lost our 9-year-old Chesapeake Retriever, Violet, to Hemangiosarcoma last night. She was fine and then she wasn’t. We had to make the decision to let her go based on the emergency vet’s assessment and what Violet was “telling” us about how she was feeling. We are devastated. Reading your post helps with the guilt I am feeling about making the decision to let her go so quickly. In our hearts, we know it is the right thing but it is so so hard. She has people waiting for her past the Rainbow Bridge so we know she is ok.
Dear Lancey,
My heart aches for you with this recent tragic loss of Violet. You made such an unselfish and loving choice to give her peace from her suffering and struggles. I am glad you found comfort in reading the article. Praying your grief will slowly fade and you will be able to focus on all the good memories you shared. Bless you. ♥
My 13.5 year old golden/lab mix had a nose bleed on Tuesday, October 25th, 2022. We rushed him to the hospital and he was diagnosed with a splenic mass that had metastasized to his lungs. We were sent home with the Chinese herb, Yunnan Baio (spell?) and given a pretty grim prognosis. 2 days later; he collapsed and basically was dying in my arms. The day in between the diagnosis and his collapse, I had reached out to an in home pet hospice service and had scheduled the initial consultation for 8;30 the next day. He collapsed at 7:20am the morning of our appointment and instead of it being a “consultation,” it ended up being an in home euthanasia. It was incredibly traumatizing since his death came so close to the diagnosis and there was not much time to process or come to terms with saying goodbye. On the other hand, I knew in my heart he was dying and that it was his time and I’m so grateful he was able to pass at home in his surroundings. I don’t know that I’ll get over the loss of him.
Dear Kelly,
I am sorry for the recent loss of your senior boy. Saying goodbye is incredibly difficult, especially when everything is happening quickly and there is no time to prepare emotionally and mentally. What a blessing that the hospice vet was already on the way. I am so glad you were home and able to be with your sweet boy until his last breath. I have no doubt your presence was a comfort, and he knew how much he was loved. I hope with time your heart will heal. May the memories of the good days bring you joy.
My little lady ,a husky is 11 years and 4 months,we were told 2 weeks ago she has a splenic growth our option is surgery or leave it be .
I’ve researched it so much and spoken to so many people about it and have come to the decision that I think she deserves to have quality of life rather than quantity if I could guarantee it wasn’t cancerous I would have her operated on but there are no guarantees
I just hope she forgives me when the time comes as this has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make
Dear Emma,
I understand what a difficult decision this must have been for you. I have no doubt your sweet girl knows how much she is loved and feel like you have made a choice to give her comfort and peace. Enjoy every day you are blessed with and spend this time showering your pup with love. Spoil her and fill each day with joy. May her memory be a blessing. Praying for your strength in the days ahead.
We just found out today that our precious Ruby. a 11 lb Cairn/Maltese mix has Hermangiosarcoma in her spleen. Not sure I spelled that correctly. We thought she was having issues with arthritis and teeth but not this diagnosis. When they went to x-ray her hips the vet that has known her all 11.5yrs of her life came back to tell me I’m still in shock. With all the symptoms from falls, not eating, blood in stool, excessive panting, extreme lethargy, foul breath and many more we are probably very close to the end. The concern at this point is the tumor rupturing before we send her off peacefully.
Thank you for sharing your story. It helps to understand other peoples perspective and how they handled it. I’m going to make chicken and rice today and give her a taste of chocolate and few things she has never experienced the day of her passing. Until then I’m going to be with her and love her for as much time as we have left.
Dear Kay,
I am so sorry Ruby has received such a devastating diagnosis. I am glad you are planning to spoil her and make her last days full of joy. Make each moment count and cherish this time you have been blessed with. Praying for your strength and comfort. Give your sweet girl a hug for me. ♥
My 8 year old silver lab Walter wasn’t eating his kibble, a rarity for a creature who eats everything even if it isn’t food, from sticks to sea shells (yeah, that was a fun xray). He was still eating the food my 18mo old was throwing on the floor, so we figured it was just him getting picker after getting a taste of the good stuff. But he was also acting restless, and was breathing heavier than normal, which concerned me… he could no longer lay on his side for extended periods, which was a previous hallmark of his relaxed state, and in hindsight now I know why he was walking with a slight limp on his front leg. That’s when I took him to the vet…
My wife and I assumed that he ate one of our child’s socks as he has been known to do and that he was experiencing an intestial blockage, which was my vet’s first thought as well, but the x-ray told a different story. She couldn’t see his heart or lungs in the xray, it was so cloudy… but what she was able to make out were several ‘nodules’ on the heart and spleen/liver (it was a blur, can’t remember).
Out of the blue my wife and I who were expecting another solid 6 years at minimum were faced with the immanent departure of the best friend we’ve ever had. That day, we took him for a walk in the woods, he was so happy. We had him sleep in our room again, which we had stopped doing so that our child would sleep through the night, and he was so happy. We’ve given him some new toys, some really good food and so much attention.
My heart is utterly destroyed. I haven’t been able to make the euthanasia arrangements yet because he still is acting like our sweet boy, still wanting to play (just not as long), still wanting to walk with us, still smiling and cuddling. The vet made me fear for the rupture and bleeding events and to probably preempt their arrival with an end of life intervention… thought that wasn’t explicitly her recommendation, she was just letting me know that it may be better for us to control it than the bursting of the cancerous nodules on their heart. After reading this though, I wonder if I should give him another weekend at home with us, and another opportunity for our 18 month old to make some memories with their ‘Teetoo’ (how they pronounce Walter)… this is all too soon.
I am so sad, I’m not ready for this.
Dear Jon,
My heart aches for you and this difficult decision you are facing with Walter. I understand there is no way to know when a rupture would occur and the longer you wait the higher the risk. With that being said, I think it would be wonderful to spend one more weekend with your beloved pup. Lavish him with love and let his last days be filled with joy. Make the most of these moments you are blessed with. When the time comes, I pray your heart will be comforted knowing you loved your sweet boy well. May his memory be a blessing that stays with you for years to come.
I lost my beautiful Billy Boo spaniel on 13/4 after he had surgery to remove the Hermangiosarcoma tumor in his neck on 8/3. He recovered so well from surgery, I never expected it to be so soon but think it had already spread.
On 6/4 he had a seizure, but again recovered quicky then during that week still went on long walks but was heavy breathing, coughing and tripping on front leg. On Friday 12th he had two lovely walks, went to see my horse at farm but in the evening was having so much trouble breathing during the night I was to scared to sleep incase he went.
In morning of 13th he didn’t eat much, his gums were pale, kept laying on tiled floor and tummy was swollen. I got the lead to go for walk and to vets, he still wanted a walk and we had a lovely time but he did keep sitting for cuddles & had some treats.
When I got him to vets to be checked, he didn’t stand to let me carry him from car he was bit tired again but walked into vets and was all happy & social. His breathing didn’t seem as bad at that point.
The vets said was internal bleedin, had pale gums, swollen tummy, his veins had collapsed, his breathing difficult.
He was still so happy, wagging tail, cuddling up to me but I was in panic that he’d die while I was sleep or if I popped to shop so agreed was best to do while there, he was happy and was all very peaceful.
Because it wasn’t like he was grasping for breath like dying like night before I’m feeling so guilty I could of had another few days… he was only 10 & my ray of sunshine, his sister Lily only died in September 23 of cancer (she was 14 but lasted a long time after diagnosis but I felt her a day to long and she was being sick etc so wasn’t nice) .
I can’t believe he’s gone so soon 💔 I can’t stop thinking about it, and as live alone without 2 of them house feels so empty.
There will never be enough time, but I’m not sure if we could of had another night… day… I will miss his cuddles forever, no one will ever make me feel as loved as he did. I told him he was going to Lily when he left, and I’d miss him for the rest of my life. I loved him for all of his.
Dear Natasha,
I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Billy. I know you were hoping to have him with you longer, but what a blessing you gained an extra month of quality time together after his surgery. Billy sounds like an amazing pup, and it is clear he was a big part of your life. May his memory live on and always be a blessing in your life. Wishing you brighter days ahead as you continue life’s journey.
Thank you for this beautiful blog post.
Our dog Uri, who is a 13 year old standard poodle, was diagnosed with a hemangiosarcoma back in February. Our original vet told us we should opt for euthenasia because he had an enormous mass in his stomach. We decided to get a second opinion from a local teaching hospital here in the Boston area. While they encountered the same mass (he had the big belly) and was very lethargic for a few days up to this /eating poorly, they told us they could do exploratory surgery. When we said goodbye as he was led away to surgery, we weren’t sure we would see him again. But, about 6 hour later, after coming out of surgery, we got a call that he did have a cancer of the spleen (that was a type of hemangiosarcoma or similar type of undifferentiated cancer) but the giant mass was a hematoma. They removed the spleen and hematoma – and apparently he was howling up a storm to let him go home with tons of energy. He had found new life!
As we come from a family of scientists and doctors, Uri got the full program upon his return. We used FidoCure for genetic testing, learned that there are many many types of hemangiosarcomas that are not differentiated (not enough research for dog cancers 🙁 — and many different prognoses). We had two rounds of chemo, but then decided against it as we felt it was unfair to put him through this. FidoCure unfortunately had little to offer in terms of novel therapies, but we are glad we did it anyway, if just to contribute a little more to the science of these awful cancers.
We did give him Yunan Baio and Immunity these last 8 months – two herbal drugs which I really think made an enormous difference. I think many other people with dogs who have these awful cancers will agree.
Our old man came back to life and has been with us for 8 happy months, full of energy and back to himself. We almost forgot he had cancer, and we thought life was almost back to normal. He ran like crazy, chased rabbits, swam all summer and ate the best homecooked meals every day.
Last week, he again became lethargic and stopped eating. They disagnosed him with liquid in his chest, which was coming from a new suspected mass near his lungs. While they removed the liquid, he has been on a rapid downward spiral.
He is the most beautiful creature I have ever encountered, and he’s laying here in front of me with limited time left on this earth. I cry for this enormous loss, and the pain knowing that if it weren’t for cancer, he is a healthy beautiful dog. But I also celebrate the incredible time we had together and I’m proud of him for fighting as long as he did to be with us.
This is a cursed disease, and I feel for every person reading this blog and posting here. I hope our experience with our best friend Uri inspires some of you reading this blog to keep fighting and trying to beat those depressing odds. I remember reading about this illness with dread back in February, but also found a few stories of hope which inspired us.
Dear Dmitri,
I am sorry Uri’s health is declining rapidly and he is nearing the end of his days. What a blessing to have gained so much extra quality time with your beloved pup. Thank you for sharing your story with our readers. I am certain it will be a ray of hope to others in a similar situation. I hope Uri’s passing will be peaceful. I have no doubt he knows how much he is loved. Bless you both.
Had a poodle mix, who was and still is the love of my life. We rescued him but really he rescued me. He’s been gone two years next month. Unfortunately, I didn’t pick up on the signs. Working from home and he was on the sofa with me and started seizing. Took him to emergency vet and he had a pancreatic tumor and blood in his belly. He also had lots of kidney stones. Found out later he had crystals in his urine and our no longer vet kept treating him for UTI’s. I would say he keeps crying and she told me he had dementia. As a nurse, I should have known better. The guilt is horrible and the loss is great. Really missing him today. Thank you so much for this article. I know we did the right thing in the end.
Dear Paula,
I understand the grief that comes with losing a beloved dog. I am sorry you had to say goodbye to your sweet boy under such tragic circumstances. Try to not carry around the burden of the “what ifs” and allow yourself some grace. Your sweet boy would want his memory to be a blessing and bring joy to your life. Praying for peace and comfort for your heart.
I really appreciate you taking the time to write this article. We just had to put our 7.5 year old GSD down yesterday due to hemoabdomen caused by a large mass. We were told that 2/3 times it is cancer and best case with surgery and chemo would be another 6-12 months. We decided not to put him through the pain of surgery and recovery and let him peacefully pass with us by his side. This is the hardest thing I have ever done. He was my baby. We have no children at this point in our lives, him and his brother are our lives. With him being gone, I don’t know what to do with myself. Your article helped me understand what the doctors were saying as I don’t remember much after hearing his odds. I know we did what was best for him and that the joy he brought to us for many years will eventually out weigh this horrible day. But until then, we are crushed and broken.
Dear Jessie,
My heart aches for you as you grieve the loss of your Shepherd boy. You made a loving decision to end his suffering and pain and instead offered him peace and rest. I hope with time your heart will heal. May the memories of the good times be a comfort as you continue life’s journey.
We lost our much loved 13 year old lab mix 2 months ago to spleenic tumor. After acting strange, I took her to the doctor for check up and senior panel. Everything was normal; started on Carpofren for possible arthritis because she was walking kind of stiff. She gradually lost her appetite, didn’t want to take walks, seemed anxious and just depressed. She was a very happy dog but overnight there was a change. Five weeks later I took her back to doctor because her abdomen was getting round. She had a hard time getting up too. Abdominal US revealed a bleeding spleenic tumor: X-ray also showed a spot in the lung (possible mets), her hematocrit dropped from 34 (5 weeks prior) to 26. Learning the cause of her symptoms and her suffering, we made the decision to let her go. Most likely she had hemangiosarcoma based on her breed, age and symptoms. After reading on this cancer, treatments and prognosis, I am thankful for the decision we made for her benefit. We didn’t want to lose her but we didn’t want her to suffer longer. She was my first dog; our first pet. We’ve always said, she was the perfect dog for us. We had her for her entire lifetime and left us with wonderful memories. I never knew I could love a dog so much! But I sure did.
Dear Dinah,
I am so sorry for the recent loss of your senior girl. She sounds like a once in a lifetime kind of pup. I know how difficult the choice was to say goodbye, but what a blessing to have been able to prevent suffering and pain. I have no doubt your sweet girl knew how much she was loved. Thank you for being willing to share your story with our readers. Bless you!
Thank you so much, Dr. Buzby. She is very special to us. May I add some thoughts that I have to deal with that might help other dog parents. It seems afterwards some try to second the decision to euthanize as I have. Did I make the right decision? Though I know we did but because losing her is so painful it’s easy to fall into the what ifs. On the quality of life scales I’ve done after the fact her scores were always poor. She no longer had the best health to undergo anesthesia or surgery. I have to remind myself again of her suffering. Thankfully I still have the emails I sent to our vet describing her condition which in my grief I forgot. Two days prior to the diagnosis, I stumbled on laps of love hospice video which helped me realized she could be dying. I started to grieve. I remember crying hard in the same room with her and she never checked on me (so not like her), I knew then she’s very tired and what is for her benefit must come first though heart wrenching it may be. 🐾🐾
Dear Dinah,
Thank you for taking the time to leave these thoughts and words of wisdom for others to see. I am glad you are finding your way forward on this journey of life. Wishing you the best. ♥
My dog has a mass in his back naval cavity..X-rays show suspected to be cancer . It bled badly out of his nose .. now he is on the Chinese medicine you mentioned . Started bleeding again after a week … but stopped on its own .. how long can this go on for ?
Hi Maya,
I am so sorry it is suspected your dog may have cancer. Unfortunately, cancer can do some strange things and doesn’t always behave in a way we would expect. There is really no way to know how long these bleeding episodes will continue or what the life expectancy is for your pup. My best advice is to enjoy the time you have been given. Lavish your sweet boy with love and make his final days full of joy and comfort. Wishing you strength during these difficult days. Bless you both.
Thankyou so much for your reply ! My jaxx is still with us .. bleeding only occasionally .. he’s on the yunnan biaiou 3 x a day. He does have apparent spreading of the tumor towards his right eye…with swelling lumps and eye drainage . the same side of the tumor. Tried steroids with no success . Now on a hit of antibiotics which slightly worked in the past.( aLso on pain meds) Any other suggestions ??to help keep him comfortable .. and enjoy his days ??
Thankyou
Maya
Hi Maya,
Thank you for the update! I am so glad Jaxx is still with you and has been blessed with these past 5 months. I am not sure I have any additional advice on treatments or therapies to try. I would recommend you find a house call vet in your area that specializes in hospice care. They can partner with you to keep your sweet boy feeling his best and guide you through this difficult process. Keeping you both in my thoughts and praying for your strength and comfort. ♥
I elected to have the surgery to remove the mass and spleen at a specialty hospital with the plan to send the mass out to determine if cancer. Sadly, my lab died within 24 hours after bringing him home from surgery. Not sure why. I noticed he was not acting normal and saw his gums were pale. I drove him as quick as I could back to the speciality hospital that is also open 24 hours. About 1/2, way there – 7 min or so away, I felt him get cold. They did cpr but he could not be revived. Broke my heart. I dont know what went wrong and I dread if another lab has the issue, what decision Id make. 😢
Dear Riley,
I am so sorry for the tragic loss of your pup. My heart aches for you knowing the grief you must be experiencing. Please don’t let the burden of the “what ifs” continue to weigh you down. You did everything you could to help your sweet boy and you did not fail him. Unfortunately, it sounds like he may have experienced some post-operative internal bleeding which is a potential risk with any abdominal surgery. You acted quickly and I am glad he was with you in his final moments. I hope with time your heart will heal and you will be comforted by the memories of the good times you shared. Bless you. ♥
Thank you for your fine article. My deepest condolences for the loss of those little love bugs. I loss my 10 yr. old GSD to hemangiosarcoma of the heart. He was fine the entire weekend. I had just gotten another GSD puppy the day before and we were taking a lot of pictures with everyone together. I took him to the blessing of the animals on that Sunday morning and he was restless during that night. His abdomen was swollen and I immediately thought of bloat. I took him to the ER at 5 AM. They did an x-ray, told me to take him to a cardiologist (luckily my regular vet is board certified in that) and told me they would pray for him. I immediately took him to his reg. vet and we were put in the exam room. After a few moments “Cero” got up and tried to get into the back room where the vet and his staff was. I opened the door and called for assistance. Cero died a few minutes later while his vet was examing him. His autopsy confirmed cardiac hemangiosarcoma. Thankfully, it was very fast and it comforted me that he had been to the blessing of the animals the morning before. He was a great and very kind boy.
Fast forward 15 years and my brother’s GSD has splenic hemangiosarcoma. His dog was very ill had his spleen removed. I found a study out east with a company called Ethos. “Blitz” was put on an experimental regimen with Rapamycin and some herbs (one was from mushrooms). He lived a high quality of life for 11 months following surgery and being on the Rapamycin. He was able to play and swim with his buddy. He lost his battle within a few days.
Thank you for letting me tell my stories.
Dear Karla,
I am so sorry for your loss of Cero and the passing of your brother’s GSD Blitz. I do consider it a blessing that Cero did not suffer long, and you were able to be with him even during his last moments. Thank you for being willing to share your experience with our readers. It may help someone else in a similar situation. I hope Cero’s memory will stay with you as you continue life’s journey. Bless you.
These articles are so helpful to us pet parents. We had been told a few years ago during an emergency with our yellow lab that it was possibly hemangiosarcoma. It turned out to be a “soccer ball” sized benign tumor attached to her liver by a stalk and had ruptured, causing the pooling of blood. Recovery from that was tough, but she is still here and loving life 2 years later. At the time, I didn’t know what hemangiosarcoma meant, but now I do (similar symptoms), and feel empowered moving forward as her guardian. Thank you!!!
Hi Vivian,
Thank you for taking the time to give some feedback about the article. I really appreciate the positive comments and am so happy it has made a difference for you and your Lab. I am amazed that such a large tumor was removed from your pup, and she was able to make a complete recovery. What a blessing to still have her by your side. I wish you both the best and give your sweet girl a hug for me! ♥
I’m sitting currently in my vets office. He is a French bulldog and almost 13. Two days ago his breathing was altered we brought him in and he was diagnosed with a tumor in his spleen. I didn’t have the heart to decline surgery. Yesterday was his splenectomy. I’m really scared now that maybe I was selfish after reading these. I was not told most of the above in our minds take the spleen out and he could continue on for a while. I’ve not been told of any bleeding or metastasis but I am sure going to ask when I get called back
Hi Tonya,
I understand your ongoing concern for your senior guy. What a blessing his surgery was successful, and he is on the road to recovery. I do think those are great topics to discuss with your vet. I would also encourage you to find out if the spleen was submitted for evaluation by a pathologist. This way you will know if the tumor was indeed cancerous and get important information on prognosis and survival time. Praying for favorable results and wishing your sweet boy all the best for many happy days ahead.