My 7 year old golden was just diagnosed with a mass on his spleen and underwent a splenectomy immediately. We have not received the results from his biopsy yet but he tolerated the surgery very well. Unlike many dogs, Hercules never became very ill I just happened to notice one morning that he was not acting like himself and the vet seems optimistic we caught things very early. My question is has anyone had any experience with this horrible disease and had their furry friend live any longer than a few months? I was led to believe that he could live for many years yet.

Welcome to the forum...I'm sorry to hear about your Hercules.

My 11 year old Reno underwent a splenectomy on June 13. Very similar circumstances...he was out running and playing with his brothers earlier in the day (Saturday). That night he just wasn't himself so we called the vet, took him in and the vet figured he had a mass. We took him to the vet again on Sunday for an ultrasound and it was confirmed then that he had a mass on his spleen. Monday afternoon, he had the splenectomy. He came through the surgery well. On Friday the vet confirmed that Reno had hemangiosarcoma. Naturally we were devasted. He gave him 1-2 months with no treatment and 4-6 months with chemo. We opted not to do chemo and to let nature take its course.

On November 13, it will be 5 months since Reno's surgery and he is still going strong. The only medication that he is taking is Metacam. We continue to feed him good quality food, supplement him, exercise him and, of course, love him and spoil him!!!!!

I pray that Hercules' diagnosis is not hemangio. Many of us have been through it or are going through it. You'll receive wonderful support from the forum!!!!

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Reno, Austin, Lincoln & Lexxington on Facebook

Sending Prayers for Hercules. Our golden Sophie died from hemangio but we caught it too late. So glad you caught it early!!

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Sasha, Gunner,
& Angel Selka in Heaven

Love You Always
Max, Sophie and Shammy

1/3 of the time it is not Hemangio, maybe that's what your vet meant. If it is Hemangio, I would not count on years, but you should have some great times left. They usually feel so much better once that nasty spleen is out. Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for you both.

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Copper was suspected to be about 10 - 12 (age unknown - he was a rescue) when he had his spleen removed due to two masses. His were benign and he lived 20 more months.

Copper recovered from the surgery very quickly and very well. I hope your boy's mass turns out to be benign too. His masses were found when he went in for shoulder surgery and his blood test was off so they did an x-ray. Otherwise, we would never have known until/if it ruptured.

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Copper's Mom (always)
Gotcha 10/2004 - lost ya 10/2010

I understand how concerned you are. My first golden, Hannah had a splenectomy and the small lobe of her liver removed when she was 10 after the vet discovered 2 large masses. Both turned out to be benign and she recovered very easily afterwards. It was amazing. She felt so much better after they were taken out. I will keep you in my prayers that yours will be benign too.

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Springtime's Golden Hannah "Hannah", 5.21.91 - 4.15.02, sweet angel
Honor's Angel In Training "Abby", 11.19.01 - 9.29.11, beautiful girl
S'cess Is A Beautiful Life "Bella", 9.21.11, smartie pants

My golden had a splenectomy when he was 12 1/2+. His came back as hemangiosarcoma. We had 107 good days with him before we sent him to the Bridge due to complications from the cancer. They were wonderful days and he was happy and active until the last week. I hope you get a benign diagnosis.

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Meet Yogi! http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...tion-yogi.html

Welcome to the forum.
My Toby had his spleen out 6 years ago, and the mass turned out to be benign. Sending prayers and good thoughts that your results are equally good!

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Gibson's Golden Girl, CD, CGC, TDI (born 3-20-1997), a.k.a. "Tiny"

CH Rosewood Little Giant, UDX VER RA SH MXP MJP VCX WCX CCA CGC FFX-OG (born 3-10-2007), also UCH HR UUD UJJ URO1 UHIT a.k.a. "Tito" (the Tito Monster)

and my heart dog
Gibson's Golden Guy, CD, CGC, TDI ( 01-31-1998 - 01-02-2012) a.k.a. "Toby", "HRH"

Prayers for your special friend! I hope the news is good!

I hope results are benign for your boy. My Abby had a spot on her spleen that we watched for a little over 2 years. She was my medical child from day one, so I knew hers would not come back benign. When we did surgery it was because it had grown large and fast w/in 3mo. I then only had her 5 more weeks. Oh but what a love and spoil fest 5 weeks. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!

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