Disseminated Haemangiosarcoma

RE: Disseminated Haemangiosarcoma

Kate Richardson — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 13:50:13 GMT

All fair points and wasn't going to advise any chemotherapy without a diagnosis you can be assured, dog is doing ok clinically, a bit lethargic due to the anaemia, but otherwise happy.

Thanks

RE: Disseminated Haemangiosarcoma

Gerry Polton — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 11:34:43 GMT

There are other diagnoses, neoplastic and non-neoplastic, that fit the broad presenting category or spontaneous haemorrhage, even without platelet number or APTT/PT anomalies. You need a diagnosis before treating in my view. However, let's consider the prednisolone question. It depends what you want to achieve. There would potentially be an improvement in sense of well-being but undoubtedly also an increase in risk of spontaneous bleeding, most significantly into the upper GI tract. If disseminated haemangiosarcoma is indeed the diagnosis, the probability of a response to chemotherapy is very low. We do have occasional cases that are really surprising and which do respond to chemo but I categorically would not countenance treatment without knowing the definitive diagnosis and the clinical stage of disease.

Gerry

RE: Disseminated Haemangiosarcoma

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:46:29 GMT

[quote user="Kate Richardson"]Chemo not an option, just wondered if pred might slow progression, or pointless.[/quote]You need a diagnosis and for Gerry to come along. But my understanding is that after a serious bleed from metastatic haemangiosarcoma even with doxo most dogs will be dead within 3 months, 3 weeks without.

I had a dog ages ago, albeit it was much younger, that had idiopathic haemopericardium which I drained and it live to ripe old age with no recurrence.

As another thought have you tested/prophylactically treated for lungworm?

RE: Disseminated Haemangiosarcoma

Kate Richardson — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 08:25:59 GMT

Chemo not an option, just wondered if pred might slow progression, or pointless.

There is blood loss into the bruising, there's no recurrence of haemopericardium at this stage (was allowed to scan for this), but don't know about abdomen. Haematology pic consistent with blood loss, hence thinking of iron supplement as O is happy to do this.

Suspect this dog hasn't got long sadly, really sweet dog, but as no definitive diagnosis so can't be certain, what else could cause skin haemorrhage if clotting times ok and platelets ok. Dog is treated for lungworm.

RE: Disseminated Haemangiosarcoma

Stephen Courtney — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 22:39:17 GMT

Tthe iron isn't being lost is it? Unless there is blood in vomit, faeces or urine or she's spilling it onto the floor, it stays inside - so no iron supplementation needed.

if there is melaena then you should see evidence of an iron deficinecy anaemia in the blood picture...eventually...and iron sulphate tablets might be of help. All depends how far away eventually is....it doesn't sound good, but i'm not 100% convinced the signs you describe fit a haemangiosarcoma that well. Certainly on the DD list though. It's not fun when you can't do any investigating but the owners still want some sort of treatment!

RE: Disseminated Haemangiosarcoma

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:20:49 GMT

Did you send a sample of the aspirate for cytology? If this is disseminated haemangiosarcoma then it hasn't got long to live. I presume that even if you made a diagnosis they wouldn't go for chemo with Doxorubicin.