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

AZPops
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Great photo Barb! BenBen look's great!

Lance
kokosfriend
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013

He should come home tomorrow!
magnusfide
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2013
kokosfriend wrote:
OK, he is out of surgery. They removed the spleen, biopsied the liver and a lymph node that did not look right. Bowel, gall bladder etc OK. He did well with the anesthesia. His blood count had risen so they did not have to give a transfusion. All in all, not real bad news.
Barb and the 4 chocolates :D

We appreciate the update, Barb. I'm glad the news wasn't horrific. We do what we can for the furry family don't we.
kokosfriend
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
OK, he is out of surgery. They removed the spleen, biopsied the liver and a lymph node that did not look right. Bowel, gall bladder etc OK. He did well with the anesthesia. His blood count had risen so they did not have to give a transfusion. All in all, not real bad news. Again, the goal is to give him several good months when I can take him swimming - his great love, solo car rides and lots of good times camping.

I appreciate you all for being with me! This forum is great support.

Barb and the 4 chocolates :D
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2013
We're waiting with you - and keeping all of you in our prayers for a good outcome!!!
AZPops
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
kokosfriend wrote:
Took BenBen in this morning for the surgery. Hard to leave him there.

Barb

Say'in extra prayer for your BenBen this morning! Hang in there Barb, lets us know how the surgery went!

Pops
kokosfriend
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Took BenBen in this morning for the surgery. Hard to leave him there.

Barb
sher9570
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Yup fingers, toes everything crossed and the prayers will be going all night and tomorrow too!
Hugs to BenBen too.

Sher
nana23
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Will be keeping BenBen and you in our prayers tomorrow. Hope for quick procedure and rapid healing.

Eileen
Code2High
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Everything crossed... sending good energy.

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BenBen needs good thoughts and prayers UPDATE

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