BenBen, who is 12, may have cancer of the spleen. We have and ultrasound done on Friday to see. X rays do not show it, but he has early symptoms. We hope to catch it in early stages. He is my buddy.Barb and the 4 chocolates

Prayers and good healing thoughts for BenBen. Rita and her furry gang

Hi, new to the forum but familiar with this condition in dogs. Our 8 year old german shepherd just underwent a splenectomy last month. The type of cancer is hemangiosarcoma and attacks blood vessels and organs that are rich in them. Usually spleen is first, can be followed by lungs, heart and others. From what I understand, there usually are no warning signs. Dog is fine one minute and extremely weak, unable to move the next-and this was the case with our dog. The reason being the splenic tumor gets to a point where it ruptures causing a great deal of internal bleeding. The ultrasound is the correct procedure for identifying a mass followed by a splenectomy and biopsy. There is a possibility your pup may have a small bleed which could cause lapses of weakness followed by temporary improvement however this is not the usual course, or your vet may feel a mass. We opted out of chemo following the splenectomy and I am giving him a medicinal mushroom studied by a well known veterinary school that showed better results than chemo when administered to dogs with hemangiosarcoma. My dearest friend also had a german shepherd with the same cancer that passed away 2 1/2 years after diagnosis and splenectomy at 10 years old from something completely unreleated. Thoughts and prayers to Ben Ben for a good outcome!

Good thoughts and prayers for BenBen from here too. Hope they are able to image the heart as well, many hemangiosarcomas metastasize to the right atrium, so that's information you all need to have. Splenectomy is a fairly straight forward procedure with bleeding complications the major risk. Hope the best for your guy.Doug, DVM

All the positive thoughts and prayers coming your and Benben's way from your pals in AZ!Lance and Calvin

Prayers for you all that it's treatable whatever the cause.

BenBen needs good thoughts and prayers UPDATE

96 Replies

sher9570
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Ok I'll keep checking and praying for good results.

Sher
kokosfriend
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Nothing new - awaiting more blood work results

Barb
sher9570
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
How is BenBen today...any updates?

Sher
sher9570
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
Thursday night when out to dinner with our girls club, there are five of us that grew up together, one of my friends was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. She's currently doing radiation and chemo.
Eventually she will go to Dana Farber in Boston for stem cell treatment.
Her prognosis is good, they say it's treatable...so I'm putting BenBen in the same prayers that I'm saying for my fried Julie.

Sher
AZPops
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
Oh boy! .... Keeping our prayers coming your way!

Pops
CatandJim
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
Sounds like there is some hope for extending his quality & perhaps quantity of life. That is always good news!
kokosfriend
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
If we get him stabilized I plan on giving him all I can. Many solo car rides, to the lake so he can swim as long as he wants. Extra treats for every meal. He sleeps on the bed anyway - only one that is allowed.
tbred
Explorer II
Jun 29, 2013
Happy to hear a spleen lesion has been ruled out, hoping further testing provides you with some answers. BenBen is fortunate to have such a caring non-furry family!
dturm
Moderator
Jun 28, 2013
It's a little better than hemangiosarcoma that has metastasized, but I hope you and BenBen don't have to go through the myeloma. We're still hoping and praying.
kokosfriend
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
The news is reasonable good. There is still uncertainty about the diagnosis, but the Internist is leaning toward multiple myloma. It is a cancer, but treatable and give him an extension with good quality of life. Other things may involve having his spleen removed, but no decisions of treatment until more blood work in the first of the week. At 12, I would be excited to get another year for him!!

Barb and the 4 chocolates

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BenBen needs good thoughts and prayers UPDATE

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BenBen update 7.27.2013