Vet found a mass in his chest

[aprillovesherdogs]

Just a quick note on Ansel. The vet called this afternoon and told me something about his spinal x-ray. What she said next caused me to literally forget what she said about it. While doing the x-ray, they found a large mass in his chest, right behind his heart. My first thought was hemangiosarcoma, the same thing that took my cousin's GSD last year. My vet agreed. I am able to pick him up at 7 p.m. and at that time we will consult on what to do. I was informed that there is no one that can help him in Carlisle, PA and will have to travel to Philly or Maryland for further tests.

Has anyone any thoughts/experience to give on hemangiosarcoma? I know this is an OS thread, but I trust those of you that have been posting here. PLEASE HELP. Once I get an actual dx, I will start or join a thread for it.

thanks with all my heart.
April

[observer]

I'm so sorry to hear this.

There are a lot of threads if you do a search here on "hemangiosarcoma" you will see them, or, you can go ahead and start your own thread, even if the diagnosis is tentative at this point.

[hokisteph5]

I'm also sorry to hear this bad news.

Did your vet give you any referrals to Philly or MD? My dad's side of the family lives in Carlisle. If you want to travel to northern VA, several of the members on here have gone to SouthPaws.

I, myself, took an injured dog there when they were located in the Springfield, VA area. From Carlisle, it should only take you about 2 hours.

Good luck in wherever you go.

[caseygina]

Try calling University of Pennsylvania's Vet school for a referral. They can probably give you one.

[Weltterr]

Yes, my dog died of this cancer. After the initial diagnosis, she didn't last very long. Get to a specialist as soon as possible. I have heard of some dogs living for quite awhile, however.

[MonicaBH]

Hemangiosarcoma is such a crummy cancer. It comes on so fast, and it's over so quickly. My boss's boxer's spleen ruptured last May; we took her to surgery that night. She had a blood transfusion a few days afterwards because she was so anemic still, but she was gone within 10 days of her surgery. She went at home in her mom's arms.

On the other hand, we treated a GSD that lived ~9 months after her initial surgery. Her owner was not ready to let go, and went above and beyond what most owners (including myself) would do. I can't remember if the owner euthanized or if the dog diet on its own.

Either way, it's a horrible thing and I wish you and your pup strength in dealing with whatever it is.

[aprillovesherdogs]

Thank you for your responses and kindnesses. Being that Ansel is almost 11 years old, I just hate to put him through anything that would tax his body even more. I had a horrific euthanasia experience just over three weeks ago with my other Rottie Matty (osteosarcoma) and just want to have Ansel's last days or hopefully months to be relaxing for him. He is currently test driving Deramaxx ($$$) and seems very comfortable. We are hoping it is arthrits and not osteosarcoma. Lord willing, I will probably have his chest and hips x-rayed again in a few months to check for changes.