Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/heart-cancer-in-dogs/

Just hearing the C word makes most of us shudder in fear. A disease or condition that spares no creature, even invertebrates can get tumors. Because cancer is so prevalent, it’s wise to know the symptoms of the various forms it takes. That includes cancer in our pets. When it comes to dogs, not all tumors are cancerous. Oftentimes, you’ll see a dog with fatty tumors, especially as they age. While unsightly, they’re not life-threatening and won’t impact the quality of life the animal experiences. But what about tumors you can’t see?

Golden Retrievers

According to the Morris Animal Foundation, half of all dogs beyond the age of 10 will die of cancer. As it happens, cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 2. Of all dog breeds, golden retrievers seem to be cursed with a higher incidence of various cancers. In fact, it’s so prevalent among the breed that the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study was formed in 2012 using 3,000 purebred dogs to study the issue. It has been estimated that the investigative research could take 14 years or longer to complete, making it the longest and largest veterinary study ever initiated when it’s all said and done. Among the most common cancers golden retrievers can get are hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, mast cell tumors, and osteosarcoma.

Canine Cancer

While seldom heard of, dogs can also get cancerous tumors attached to their hearts. Crazy, right? It happens when a tumor develops from the blood vessels in the heart, and the condition can become life-threatening. This malignant cancer is actually listed among the four most common canine cancers above, and it’s called hemangiosarcoma. In addition to goldens, German shepherds and boxers are predisposed to it as well. The condition generally affects middle-aged and senior dogs more often than younger canines, but it’s not exclusive to them. Stuff like this is the reason it’s a good idea to get pet insurance.

Hemangiosarcoma Symptoms in Dogs

So, what do you need to look for? There’s quite a range of symptoms to be on the lookout for. You should also bear in mind that any one of these or even a combination of a couple of them might be pointing to something else (you should still have them checked out). But taken all together, it’s time to get to the vet. They are listed as fainting, breathing problems, irregular heart beat, unable to exercise, anorexia, depression, losing weight, bleeding, and acting lethargic.

Hemangiosarcoma Treatment for Dogs

Unfortunately, physical exams aren’t very effective at detecting the condition, so your vet will want to enlist tools like ultrasounds, X-rays, electrocardiograms, fluid samples, and biopsies to make a firm determination. The treatment can get expensive and include surgically removing the tumor and the use of chemotherapy. Regrettably, the prognosis for hemangiosarcoma is seldom positive, but your veterinarian can provide you with tips for making your pet more comfortable when living with the condition. This is a good time to remind everyone that regular checkups with your vet are an important part of responsible pet ownership, assuming it’s within your budget.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog