In December 2024, I found out my dog has a giant mass on her spleen and a type of cancer called hemangiosarcoma. This came as a big shock to me.
I feel so lucky that I’ve worked in the pet industry for over 12 years and have made so many contacts and connections who were able to help me navigate this difficult diagnosis and treatment journey.
I know that most people can’t call upon veterinarians, herbalists, and canine nutritionists like I am able to. So I want to share all the information I learned and how I’m choosing to treat my dog’s splenic mass hemangiosarcoma without surgical splenectomy or chemotherapy.
Every decision is personal. In this blog post, I explain what I chose to do based on many factors and exhaustive diagnostics at one of the best veterinary facilities in the country.
I’m so fortunate to have top vets nearby and so many expert friends I can call to figure this out. I hope my research can help you if you’re facing this diagnosis with your dog.
What is Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs?
If we break down the word hemangiosarcoma, we can see two parts. “Hemo” relates to blood. “Sarcoma” relates to cancer.
So hemangiosarcoma is a cancer of the lining of the blood vessels.
This is why a mass on your dog’s spleen is often a sign of hemangiosarcoma. The spleen is an organ that cleans and processes a lot of blood.
This can be such an aggressive and fast-acting cancer because once it gets into the bloodstream, it can travel to other organs. The most common organ it spreads to next is the lungs.
It started with finding a mass on my dog’s spleen
We found out about this condition at our regular annual vet visit. My Labrador, Lucy, was just shy of her 13th birthday. She’s had a happy and healthy life with very few health issues.
But last summer, I noticed that she was really panting when we walked up hills. I know it had a lot to do with the hot and humid summer weather, but I also felt that she might have something going on internally.
We had an annual exam planned for December, so I just waited for that. Some people might say I should have gone in sooner. But I was afraid of what they would tell me.
And I’m at peace with how it worked out because it’s been extremely stressful to live with this diagnosis for my beloved dog. I’m grateful that we didn’t find out sooner. It wouldn’t have changed the treatment and it saved me from going through unnecessary grief.
From Annual Checkup to Specialist Consultation
At our regular vet visit, I asked our long-time vet if she thought Lucy might have any internal masses that are impacting her breathing or her heart. Upon physical examination, she said we better do an x-ray.
She could feel a mass on Lucy’s spleen and wanted to know more about it. I didn’t know at the time, but splenic masses are very common in senior Labs. Vets know to look for this!
With the x-rays, we confirmed that Lucy has a very large mass on her spleen or a very enlarged spleen. Either way, our vet gave me a referral to see a surgical specialist at BluePearl.
That appointment was scheduled for one week later. That week was the most stressful week of my entire life.
I didn’t know if I was going to have to put my dog down that day or be told that she had one month to live. This fell right over Christmas break. I was thankful to have the time off, but I didn’t do any Christmas stuff. I just cried for a week.
Understanding Splenic Masses in Senior Dogs
What I didn’t realize until this experience is that splenic masses are actually pretty common in older dogs, especially Labradors. According to veterinary literature, there’s a significant difference in the likelihood of these masses being benign or malignant depending on certain factors.
One key factor is whether there’s blood in the abdomen (called hemoabdomen).
I’m so thankful my veterinarian friend Dr. Robin Moore shared this article with me because it gave me clear facts that helped me make sense of a very emotional situation.
The article states that there’s a “63-70% chance a splenic mass is benign if there’s no hemoabdomen present.” If there is hemoabdomen, the chance of the mass being benign drops to only 21-37%.
Lucy’s ultrasound showed a small amount of fluid in her abdomen – likely blood, though not enough to cause immediate concern. This was one of many factors that informed our treatment decisions.
Does Hemangiosarcoma Cause Pain in Dogs?
Many dog parents wonder if their pet is suffering with this diagnosis. When I specifically asked Dr. Chisnell about this, she told me that Lucy is not in pain.
The vet said that Lucy may experience some discomfort because her masses are very large, but she is not suffering and doesn’t require pain medication. This was a huge relief to me and helped guide my treatment decisions.
Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs: Life Expectancy
In general, the life expectancy with hemangiosarcoma is 1-3 months.
We were at our vet’s for our annual exam on December 10, 2024, when our vet Dr. Olivia Wilson observed the mass on Lucy’s spleen. That day she told me that about 75% of the time these masses are hemangiosarcoma. And in that case, the life expectancy is about 1-3 months.
When I met with surgical specialist Dr. Hope Chisnell DVM, DACVS-SA at BluePearl Hospital in Pittsburgh on December 17th, she told me the same thing: 1-3 months.
The article in Today’s Veterinary Practice confirms these estimates but adds more detail about treatment outcomes.
With surgery alone, the median survival time for dogs with hemangiosarcoma ranges from 19-86 days, with only 6-7% surviving to the one-year mark. With surgery plus chemotherapy, that improves to 172-277 days with up to 20% surviving to one year.
These statistics helped me understand why veterinarians give such cautious timelines. They’re not trying to be pessimistic—they’re being realistic based on the data they have.
The Uncertainty of Prognosis
This data is all based on the numbers, facts, and figures available to the veterinary community. I was frustrated by how vague it is. When does the countdown clock start? Some people might find the masses early, and others later. How can it all be 1-3 months?
Struggling with this info, I had the chance to talk informally with a veterinarian in my neighborhood while he was walking his dog at the park. He shared the perspective that vets give this vague range so people don’t get their hopes up or have expectations that are too high one way or the other.
He also shared with me that after a dog is diagnosed with a splenic mass or hemangiosarcoma, they might not even come back into the vet’s office again, and in that case, the vet doesn’t really know how long they lived after the diagnosis.
It’s this kind of uncertainty that can be very frustrating when your dog gets a diagnosis like this. I don’t know about you, but I like straight answers. Unfortunately, you just can’t find them in this case.
Real-World Experiences Vary Widely
You might be tempted to turn to social media to see what other people’s experiences are with splenic mass hemangiosarcoma.
I posted about Lucy’s diagnosis on Instagram and joined some Facebook groups specific to hemangiosarcoma. In both places, I hear from the far ends of the spectrum.
Some people said their dog was diagnosed with HSA and collapsed and died two days later. Others shared that their dog went on to live 2 or 3 more years after diagnosis.
Some people opted for surgery, chemotherapy, or holistic treatments. Every dog is different. Everyone makes their own choices.
All I can share is that Lucy is doing great, maybe even better than she was 2 months ago. And I owe that to the natural way I’m treating her and our lifestyle to make the most of every day.
Our Cancer Treatment Decision Process: No Surgery and No Chemo
Following the initial discovery of Lucy’s splenic mass, we spent over 5 hours at BluePearl, the specialty and emergency vet in our area. They conducted many diagnostic tests including an ultrasound, and I consulted with veterinary surgeon Dr. Hope Chisnell.
We did extremely thorough testing, and Dr. Chisnell spent a lot of time honestly and thoughtfully advising me on the best course of action for Lucy.
It ultimately came down to 2 treatment options:
- Surgery to remove the spleen and as many masses as possible. Surgery would be followed by chemotherapy.
- Not taking any surgical action and instead making Lucy as comfortable as possible for her time left. Basically, hospice care.
Why Surgery Wasn’t an Option for Us
Through the ultrasound, we were able to see that Lucy’s splenic mass is extremely large. The spleen is kinda shaped like a tongue – long and flat. And Lucy has several masses that are all large.
On the ultrasound, we could also see that she has some other masses in her abdomen. As many as 20.
At the time, she was also 2 months away from her 13th birthday. As I was taking notes in the appointment, the list of side effects and possible complications from the surgery filled up an entire sheet of paper.
Doing the surgery was not going to be simple. One of the veterinarians told me that in cases like this with so many masses, they might get in there and see that it’s too complex and the recovery would be too difficult for the dog.
Occasionally they opt to euthanise the dog during the surgery to save them from the suffering of recovery.
Of course, that was a very scary thought to me!!
The Veterinary Research On Splenic Surgery in These Cases
According to Today’s Veterinary Practice, while 95% of dogs with hemoabdomen survive to discharge after splenectomy, the presence of a splenic mass itself is a significant risk factor for life-threatening hemorrhage.
For Lucy, with her multiple masses, this risk seemed very high.
The veterinary article I read also outlined typical reasons people pursue splenectomy surgery:
- Potential for cure if the mass isn’t hemangiosarcoma
- Treating or preventing abdominal bleeding
- Obtaining a definitive diagnosis
- Debulking before chemotherapy
- Providing more quality time with their dog
While these are all valid reasons, in Lucy’s case, the extensive nature of her disease made surgery less likely to achieve these goals.
My Personal Philosophy on End-of-Life Care
On top of that, I’ve been saying to myself for years that I wouldn’t put my senior dogs through chemotherapy. That’s a personal choice for me.
If it was a younger dog, I would weigh the options.
But I have a lot of feelings about dogs not being able to give consent for things like this. That’s a whole other blog post though!
Ultimately, due to many factors, we determined that the best way to care for Lucy is to “do nothing.”
Our Holistic Approach to Treatment
The Reality Behind “Doing Nothing”
When the specialist at BluePearl said we could “do nothing,” what they really meant was that we wouldn’t pursue surgical intervention or chemotherapy.
For me, “doing nothing” actually meant doing everything I could to support Lucy’s quality of life through natural means.
This decision wasn’t made lightly. I considered several factors:
- Lucy’s age – at nearly 13, surgery recovery would be significantly more challenging
- The extensive nature of her condition – with 10-20 small masses throughout her abdomen
- The detailed list of potential surgical complications – which filled an entire page of my notes
- My personal philosophy about aggressive treatments for senior dogs
- The reality that even with surgery and chemotherapy, the prognosis for hemangiosarcoma isn’t great (typical survival time with surgery and chemo is about 6-9 months max according to veterinary literature)
It’s worth noting that in one study Dr. Robin shared with me, dog parents who chose surgery were generally more satisfied with their decision than those who chose palliative care – likely because they felt they’d tried everything possible.
But each situation is unique, and what matters most is making the choice that feels right for your dog and your family.
This information made me feel confident in my choice to focus on quality of life rather than invasive interventions.
Dr. Chisnell had mentioned that if we wanted, we could do another ultrasound in 3-4 weeks to monitor progression—that’s how fast-acting this cancer can be. We’re talking weeks, not months. This reality check helped me prioritize making every day count.
Treating With Food and Herbs
At that BluePearl appointment, I asked Dr. Chisnell what I could do to improve Lucy’s quality of life for the time she has left. She recommended a couple of supplements:
- Turkey Tail Mushroom: A powerful anti-cancer mushroom supplement
- Yunnan Bai Yao: A Chinese herb for bleeding conditions
I immediately contacted my friend Hannah Zulueta, a canine nutritionist and herbalist, to develop a more comprehensive approach. She created a complete holistic protocol for Lucy that focuses on three main areas:
- Targeted supplements to support Lucy’s immune system
- Herbs to address potential complications
- A carefully crafted diet designed to nourish Lucy without feeding the cancer
The results have been great – Lucy is thriving on this protocol with improved energy and she’s even getting up the stairs easier.
For dog parents who are interested in the complete details of Lucy’s food and supplement regimen, I’ve created a separate post that dives deep into every aspect of her holistic treatment plan.
READ NEXT: Lucy’s Complete Anti-Cancer Food & Supplement Protocol →
In this comprehensive guide, I share every detail of Lucy’s daily diet and supplement routine, including my exact recipes, preparation methods, and where to source everything.
If you’re looking for practical ways to support a dog with hemangiosarcoma through nutrition, this resource will walk you through my entire approach.
The Financial Reality of HSA Diagnosis and Treatment
Being transparent about costs is important, as this is a factor in decision-making for many pet parents. Here’s what our diagnostic journey for Lucy cost.
At our regular vet when we first found the mass:
- Radiology X-ray: $282
- Bloodwork: $295
- Office visit: $82
At the specialty hospital:
- Ultrasound Abdomen: $644
- Surgical Consultation: $223
- Radiology Review: $87
- Radiograph: $352
That’s a total of $1,965 just for diagnostics and consultations. Had we pursued surgery and chemotherapy, that figure would have multiplied several times over.
The supplements, medications and special diet I’m providing Lucy cost approximately $318 per month, which feels reasonable for the quality of life she’s experiencing.
Resources that May Help Treat Your Dog’s Splenic Mass Hemangiosarcoma
These are some of the online resources, products and services that have helped me the last few months.
- Today’s Veterinary Practice: “Splenic Masses in Dogs: Algorithms for Differentials, Diagnosis and Definitive Treatment” by Dr. Bonnie Grambow Campbell – This comprehensive article outlines the decision factors veterinarians consider and can help you understand the medical perspective. I really like the straightforward facts here.
- Facebook Group: Hemangiosarcoma Diet & Supplement Protocols for dogs – A Holistic Approach – While experiences vary widely, this community can provide emotional support during a difficult time.
- In-Home Pet Hospice – If you live in an area with access to a house call vet, you might want to reach out and see how they can help you.
I also checked out a few dog cancer books from the library when I got frustrated with unreliable information online. Those books were:
- Help Your Dog Fight Cancer: An Overview of Home Care Options Featuring Bullet’s Survival Story by Laurie Kaplan
- The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality & Longevity by Dr. Demian Dressler DVM
Bullet’s story is a personal account, but a very different situation that mine and Lucy’s. So it was moderately helpful. The best advice from that book was to make the most of every day and to limit how much you cry around your dog.
They might not know that anything is wrong, and they feed off our energy. So you might as well live in the moment and make the most of the time you have left. This is great advice!
The second book reads more like a text book and I felt like it lacked any empathy or emotion. I found it quite upsetting, to be honest. I only recommend that if you are very science-minded.
Making the Most of Each Day
My Advice for Researching this Disease
If you’re reading this, you’re probably trying to find out everything you can about this terrible disease and how it will impact you and your dog. I have written everything I could find out about this in this blog post.
I hope this is a great and helpful resource for you. Please share it with anyone you know who is impacted by hemangiosarcoma.
If you’re in the midst of a diagnosis, my recommendation is to read this post and do your own research to make your own decisions. Then stop. Step away from the computer. Stop crying. Live your life with your dog.
Whether they have cancer or not, life is too short. We need to make the most of every day with our dogs.
Besides all the diagnostic tests, consulting with experts and treating Lucy naturally, the very best part of her treatment has been making the most of every day. Since her diagnosis, I have driven her to the woods every day. She prefers walking on the trails versus the sidewalk. So now I take her there every single day.
That’s made her quality of life 1,000% better! And it’s helped me to live in the moment and make the most of all the time we have left together.
Most posts you might enjoy:
Podcast Episode 264: All About My Dog Lucy
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Healing Essential Oils for Dogs with Sara Grace Newhall of Dog Love Oils
5 Dog Mom Hacks to Save Money on Premium Dog Food
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