Oliver has Hemangiosarcoma...

2220 Views 63 Replies 25 Participants Last post by Newfie and Cally, 15 d ago

ssquicksilver

Discussion Starter · 26 d ago

Hi all, my beloved Oliver was 100% healthy and happy three days ago, then he had a strange kind of syncope event. He went all stiff and cramped up and his eyes were flickering. It only lasted about 30 seconds, but he was very confused after and couldn't walk without falling over. I took him to the vet the next morning and they did x-rays and bloodwork and he was anemic and had low platelets (31k). They did a transfusion and his RBC's are at 40%, but his platelet count has only gone from 31k to 36k since Saturday. He has a mass on his spleen which had fluid, but has since absorbed back in his body. I have to make a decision to go with a risky surgery, which he may not survive, and the subsequent chemo and recovery, to get maybe 4-5 months more, or bring him home today and give him a loving sendoff. I'm torn apart making this decision. I can't risk losing him in surgery, but even if he made it I don't want to put him through all that. Without the surgery his tumor could rupture at any time, so I would have to say goodbye in the next few days to not risk that.
Has anyone had this situation with their dog? I'm just beyond heartbroken. He's everything to me.

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mudpuppymama

· #21 · 24 d ago

Pucks104 said:
“A gut punch” is an accurate description for the shock of a HSA diagnosis for our beloved pups. Our choice for euthanasia was to have a vet come to our home. Rexy left peacefully in my arms. My thoughts are with you and Oliver. I “what if”d myself to bits for months. Don’t do that to yourself.

What a horrendous blow...I cannot even imagine it. A gorgeous young dog in the prime of life.

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Missy

· #22 · 23 d ago

I am so sorry to hear this. Hardest, but most compassionate decision! Bittersweet wishes in spoiling Oliver in the next few days!

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RIstream

· #23 · 23 d ago (Edited)

I'm so sorry to hear this. It brings back very hard memories of our Cooper's situation. I believe his cancer was the same, with a tumor on his spleen. It was very sudden. The decisions are heart wrenching. If you read my post about it from 2018, (it was titled Possible Cancer) you may find some of it helpful. Coop was 10 when it all happened. Our thoughts are with you and Oliver

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officebecky

· #24 · 23 d ago

Molly120213 said:
Thinking of you and Oliver during this difficult time.

I am so so sorry you are in my thoughts and prayers

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havix2!!

· #25 · 23 d ago

I am sorry to hear. Oliver’s situation sounds like the typical presentation of hemangiosarcoma -a real killer -which can be common in golden retrievers and others but not havis.

My much loved, so special Sadie developed hemangiosarcoma when she was 10 years old. It presented as a tumor in her abdomen which her veterinarian found at her annual physical. She wasn’t sick at all when the tumor was found. This is a very unusual place for this cancer and we may have been fortunate to have it found prior to a bleed out.

We had the tumor removed and she did chemo for about 2 months. I hesitated to do chemo but it was not difficult for her, as the oncologist told us would be the case. Dogs tolerate chemo much better than people. The doctor also had us give her a daily dose of two herbal supplements.

She seemed fine and had a full quality of life but the tumor recurred. We had it removed again, she resumed chemo. Again, she was fine but the cancer returned .etc!!

Sadie had an extra 2 years before she had that final rupture of her blood vessels which hemangiosarcoma causes. Her life in those 2 years was normal aside from many, many visits to the vet for treatment. We had the vet end her life to avoid the inevitable which I feared could be painful and frightening for her.

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her and feel the anguish of this ordeal. We have 2 havis who we love dearly. They are now 3 years old but the loss of Sadie remains.

I hope this helps in your decision. Again, Sadie’s cancer presented in an atypical way and may have enabled us to have the two extra years with her where she was her usual self. Each case of hemangiosarcoma is probably unique. Whatever you decide to do, there is no right or best answer.

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Sdeek

· #26 · 23 d ago

Your love of Oliver is so obvious. I had to make the decision to euthanize my beloved Dusty on March 31. I still find myself going to the “what ifs” but it is a hurtful and not at all helpful place to be. You’re making the most loving and caring decision for Oliver by providing the home hospice and making his last days be full of comfort, warmth and love.

ssquicksilver

Discussion Starter · #27 · 23 d ago

havix2!! said:
I am sorry to hear. Oliver’s situation sounds like the typical presentation of hemangiosarcoma -a real killer -which can be common in golden retrievers and others but not havis.

My much loved, so special Sadie developed hemangiosarcoma when she was 10 years old. It presented as a tumor in her abdomen which her veterinarian found at her annual physical. She wasn’t sick at all when the tumor was found. This is a very unusual place for this cancer and we may have been fortunate to have it found prior to a bleed out.

We had the tumor removed and she did chemo for about 2 months. I hesitated to do chemo but it was not difficult for her, as the oncologist told us would be the case. Dogs tolerate chemo much better than people. The doctor also had us give her a daily dose of two herbal supplements.

She seemed fine and had a full quality of life but the tumor recurred. We had it removed again, she resumed chemo. Again, she was fine but the cancer returned .etc!!

Sadie had an extra 2 years before she had that final rupture of her blood vessels which hemangiosarcoma causes. Her life in those 2 years was normal aside from many, many visits to the vet for treatment. We had the vet end her life to avoid the inevitable which I feared could be painful and frightening for her.

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her and feel the anguish of this ordeal. We have 2 havis who we love dearly. They are now 3 years old but the loss of Sadie remains.

I hope this helps in your decision. Again, Sadie’s cancer presented in an atypical way and may have enabled us to have the two extra years with her where she was her usual self. Each case of hemangiosarcoma is probably unique. Whatever you decide to do, there is no right or best answer.

I don't have the option of surgery because his platelets are so low. I have his goodbye scheduled for tomorrow, so today I had the vet run his CBC one last time to see if his platelets had risen. They actually dropped from 35k to 29k, so that's it. After diagnosis I got less than a week. He's the sweetest, most gentle little soul in the world and I'm gonna lose him tomorrow. 😢

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ssquicksilver

Discussion Starter · #28 · 23 d ago

Sdeek said:
Your love of Oliver is so obvious. I had to make the decision to euthanize my beloved Dusty on March 31. I still find myself going to the “what ifs” but it is a hurtful and not at all helpful place to be. You’re making the most loving and caring decision for Oliver by providing the home hospice and making his last days be full of comfort, warmth and love.

Thank you for those kind words. 🧡

krandall

· #29 · 23 d ago

I am so sorry. I will be thinking of you both. 💗

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RIstream

· #30 · 22 d ago

Thoughts and prayers for you and Oliver. We are sooo sorry

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Sheri

· #31 · 22 d ago

I'm so sorry.

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Pucks104

· #32 · 22 d ago

ssquicksilver said:
I don't have the option of surgery because his platelets are so low. I have his goodbye scheduled for tomorrow, so today I had the vet run his CBC one last time to see if his platelets had risen. They actually dropped from 35k to 29k, so that's it. After diagnosis I got less than a week. He's the sweetest, most gentle little soul in the world and I'm gonna lose him tomorrow. 😢 View attachment 180978 View attachment 180979 View attachment 180980 View attachment 180981

😢 crying with you.

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havix2!!

· #33 · 22 d ago

I am so very sorry for you. From his photos, he seems to be an exceptionally cute and communicative little guy. This is such a dreadful cancer; it comes on so suddenly and viciously. I think there has not been much progress in treatment in over 30 years. Yours is a painful decision that will spare him pain. I hope you will be able to hold him and let him feel secure and loved until the end.

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Molly120213

· #34 · 22 d ago

Wishing you strength and peace to get through tomorrow and the days ahead. ❤

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ssquicksilver

Discussion Starter · #35 · 22 d ago

havix2!! said:
I am so very sorry for you. From his photos, he seems to be an exceptionally cute and communicative little guy. This is such a dreadful cancer; it comes on so suddenly and viciously. I think there has not been much progress in treatment in over 30 years. Yours is a painful decision that will spare him pain. I hope you will be able to hold him and let him feel secure and loved until the end.

The diagnosis was a shock for sure. He was my first Havanese, but I would get another of this beautiful breed in a heartbeat. It's just going to be a while before I'm ready. I'm not sure what to expect tomorrow, but he will know he was loved when he closes his eyes. Thank you for reaching out. 🧡

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ssquicksilver

Discussion Starter · #36 · 22 d ago

Molly120213 said:
Wishing you strength and peace to get through tomorrow and the days ahead. ❤

Thank you so much. 🧡

mudpuppymama

· #37 · 22 d ago

My heart is aching for you. There are no words to express how sorry I am.

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HavaneseMe

· #38 · 22 d ago

ssquicksilver said:
The diagnosis was a shock for sure. He was my first Havanese, but I would get another of this beautiful breed in a heartbeat. It's just going to be a while before I'm ready. I'm not sure what to expect tomorrow, but he will know he was loved when he closes his eyes. Thank you for reaching out. 🧡

Wishing Oliver a gentle and peaceful passing, and wishing you strength and the knowledge that you watched out for him until the end.

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LWalks

· #39 · 22 d ago

I am so sorry, and sending you peaceful thoughts today. He’s such a beautiful boy and clearly so, so loved.

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ssquicksilver

Discussion Starter · #40 · 22 d ago

To everyone who responded to my post, Oliver died at noon today. I cradled his little munchkin face and told him how much I loved him and how sorry I was that I couldn't save him. I appreciate all the kindness and love from everyone. Thank you all so much. 🧡 🧡🧡

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