Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs

Category: Cancer
Breeds documented: 4
Published sources: 3

Overview

Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer that begins in cells that form blood vessels. It often develops in the spleen or heart, but tumors can also appear in skin and other tissues. Internal tumors may cause few early signs before bleeding suddenly leads to weakness or collapse. The cancer can spread quickly, and its behavior and outlook depend partly on where the tumor is located.

Signs to watch for

Unusual tiredness or weakness
Less interest in food
Fast or difficult breathing
Pale-looking gums
Sudden collapse
Bruised-looking or bleeding skin lumps

Most often affects older dogs, although young dogs can occasionally be affected.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog collapses.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets use blood tests and imaging, such as abdominal ultrasound and chest X-rays, to assess a suspected tumor and look for spread. A heart ultrasound may be needed when a tumor near the heart is suspected. Confirmation requires a biopsy, meaning a tissue sample examined for cancer. Imaging alone can raise concern but cannot provide a definite diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma.

Breeds with documented risk

4 breeds

By breed size

2 Medium
2 Large

Labrador RetrieverLarge · Sporting Group
Australian ShepherdMedium · Herding Group
Spinone ItalianoLarge · Sporting Group
GoberianMedium

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.