Dogs spleen tumors if not properly diagnosed could erupt at any time in your pet and could cause death to occur very rapidly as your dog bleeds to death.
This is a condition in dogs that can be very, very serious and should be treated with the best of professional care.
The symptoms that your dog will show with this condition will be critical for you to recognize and understand.
So what exactly are dogs spleen tumors, what causes them, can they be successfully treated, and more importantly, can they be prevented.
Your dog’s spleen is an organ that’s sets near the stomach and is the store house of blood for your pet.
Its primary function in your canine friend is to filter blood by removing worn our blood and recycling it.
By doing this, it destroys the old red blood cells and holds blood for emergencies in your pet.
Another function of your pet’s spleen is that of managing their immune system, in that it contains a large number of cells that identify any type of invasion into your pet’s system and attacks them.
These cells are known as lymphocytes and macrophages and they circulate in your dog’s system and react when they are needed.
Consisting of two different types of blood pulp, and the filtering process allows the red pulp to eliminate intrusions, while the white pulp helps to fight infections.
Any type of a growth within organs such as the spleen is abnormal and put your dog in immediate danger of cancer growths.
Dogs spleen tumors are most common in middle aged or older dogs, and occur a lot more frequently in larger breeds.
All larger breeds are at risk as they age of this condition, but German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Greyhounds, and Dalmatians seem to be more prone than other breeds.
Most enlargements of the spleens will not be cancer but rather an accumulation of blood because of poor circulation that is caused by bleeding that has occurred in your dog’s spleen, a condition known as hematomas.
It could also be caused by a condition known as hemopoiesis which is where an extensive breakdown of blood cells occurs because of overwork in dogs as they age.
Infection in your dog’s spleen could also cause it to enlarge, a condition known as splenitis.
However, cancers of the blood cells are also very common, and just like in humans, some will be benign and other will be cancerous.
White blood cells cancer is leukemia and very rare in dogs, and mast cells referred to as mastocytoma can also appear as tumors in your dog.
By far and away the largest threat with dogs spleen tumors is a condition known as hemagiosarcoma.
Growth from white pulp usually in the form of mast cell tumors is a lot more common in cats than in dogs.
Hemagiosarcoma is a form of cancer that starts in the lining of the blood vessels and the spleen known as the endothelium.
These tumors that arise from the blood system are in most all cases malignant and could occur in any part of your dog’s body.
However, they seem to concentrate
in the spleen first but could affect other areas.
They could also occur in the pericardium, the membranous sac of fluid that surrounds the heart, or in the heart itself.
The question of what actually causes dogs spleen tumors especially the cancerous form is like cancer itself, is an age old question with no answer or no known cure.
It is generally a series of events that occur in your dog.
If it is malignant, caught, and then diagnosed properly, your dog’s spleen will need to be removed.
However, after surgery your pet will know face possible infection, death from the anesthesia which has a high level of incidence in dogs, and possible muscle contractions in the heart.
This could also cause instant death.
Time will also be extremely important with dog spleen tumors as there will often be little warning that your pet has this condition.
It could be only a matter of six to eight weeks from discovery to death if not acted on very quickly.
The symptoms that your dog may exhibit will be visible bleeding, most commonly in the form of nosebleeds, and sign s that are associated with blood loss.
Sudden weakness, sudden paling in color of the membranes around the eyes and mouth, abdominal pain and swelling, and increased respiratory rates are all extreme danger signs you should watch for.
A small number of dogs will just die suddenly within days of the symptoms.
The only real viable treatment for this cancerous form of dogs spleen tumors again is the removal of the spleen. In some countries, chemotherapy is used, but is rarely cures this condition.
Steroid drugs have been tried and do extend the life of the dog without removal of the spleen, but usually few a few months at the most.
The best overall to fight this condition, is in preemptive measures and building their immune system with supplements.
Vitamin C, selenium, and zinc deficiency in your pet and their diet have proven to stimulate both cancerous as well as tumor growth in laboratory testing.
However, Vitamin E often referred to as the wonder vitamin for both dogs as well as cats, can perhaps keep your dog from getting this condition.
It is an essential nutrient for healing as well as preventing circulatory diseases.
SUMMARY
However, what is most important to your dog is that this vitamin actually helps to dissolve tumors and oxygenates blood to the external organs.
Dogs spleen tumors are a very serious condition that your dog may face if it is a large breed and getting older.
Supplementing them is very easy, very inexpensive, and very reassuring.
Pet Medications for Dogs Spleen Tumors
Dog Vitamin Store
Lymphoma in Dogs