Hemangiosarcoma & Coughing in Dogs

Hemangiosarcomas are also called mast cell tumors or mastocytomas. This kind of cancer affects the cells that line the blood vessels. The symptoms and treatment vary depending upon the location and size of the tumor.

  1. Symptoms

    • Hemangiosarcoma can have a number of different symptoms. Sometimes the dog experiences coughing or difficulty breathing. It can have high blood pressure, vomiting and diarrhea, or a loss of appetite. K9 Critical Care explains that these symptoms usually indicate serious tumors that have metastasized, or spread throughout the body.

    High-Risk Breeds

    • Modiano Lab of the University of Minnesota asserts that middle-aged and older dogs are at higher risk than younger animals of developing this disease, and some breeds such as German shepherds, flat-coated retrievers, Skye terriers and Bernese mountain dogs are more prone than others. The golden retriever is the highest risk breed. They have a one-in-five chance of succumbing to hemangiosarcoma.

    Treatment and Prognosis

    • Hemangiosarcoma develops slowly and painlessly, and the dog owner usually does not know that the animal is ill until it is in the last stages of the disease. The tumors are usually treated with surgical removal and chemotherapy, but the prognosis for life is limited to between 90 and 180 days.