3 years ago I dealt with chondrosarcoma with Allie - she had three ribs removed and muscle from along her spine moved to cover the rib area behind her left elbow. I was told that her cancer could recur and that it could be lying dormant and that she may not live past the age of six. Allie is now 6 1/2 years old.
I'm faced with a splenectomy and I'm wondering if that's the right way to go - the radiologist report said that there may be pooling of blood around the spleen area. I'm now trying to decide on my decision to have the surgery for Allie.
I feel that her body is contaminated with cancer.
I haven't been on for a long time but Allie was a rescue who had her first two litters by time she was two. She was tied up out back and basically ignored and part of a backyard breeding operation. I took her away from that and have given her the 'good life' since then.
I have now bought a Mt Si Golden English Creme for her to spend her days with - even though I'm home with Allie all the time - I found a 1 year old female and I thought and family and friends think that Allie was help pass on good traits and it will be someone for Allie to hang out with and maybe just maybe I won't fall apart so hard - I love and adore my Allie girl.

Does anyone have experience with the spleen removal and how long their dog lived after this procedure? I know each dog is different - and no one story is the same - I just don't know - I don't want her to bleed out! I'm also worried that she will have to be euthanized on the table before the surgery is completed. I pray that it will go well.
So sad - this dog is sweetness personified.

There was a thread yesterday I believe about a dog who just had her spleen removed and the report came back that it was just a hematoma, not cancer! It is possible. I'll see if I can find it.

Here's the thread on Libby. http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...ng-well-5.html (Libby is not feeling well)

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Betty and the Dallas crew


“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” A. France

I went over to the thread but there isn't the information I was hoping for - it's very good news indeed for them! I am delighted that things went well...
I'm wondering if size of the mass makes a difference and if there is anything in the radiologist report that I could glean from it that might help me until the surgery date. All that I can gather is that there may be pooling of blood around the spleen. In addition to the 8.5 cm mass around the spleen. The other organs look good and the vet said he would feel the organs when he does the splenectomy. Also the radiologist report shows that the heart and lungs look good.
I just don't know anymore - it's just like one scare after another with this dog. We just adore her...

I think go for it if her other organs look good it could just be hematoma


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The vet says he won't know exactly if there are nodules on any organs until he opens her up - that being said I'm willing to give it a go for Allie - she is a beautiful and wonderful dog - I just don't want her to suffer!

I'm so sorry that you and Allie are dealing with this situation. Allie is a lucky girl to be with you and to have had the wonderful life that you are giving her.

Two of my dogs have had a splenectomy. Charlie had his when he was around 7 years old and he lived until he was almost 13. The pathology report on his spleen was benign. Charlie developed seizures when he was almost 12 that were probably caused by a brain lesion of some kind, but there was never any evidence to link that to his spleen. Between 7 and 13, his life was pretty normal.

Joker, who is Charlie's half-brother, had a splenectomy last summer at the age of almost 12. This was on the heels of a hard fall on steps that made me suspect internal injury, though Joker acted as if nothing was wrong at the time. We found my sweet boy the morning after his fall lying very still and unable to stand, with gray gums. He was clearly bleeding internally and we rushed him to the emergency clinic, where they said he was in shock and promptly gave him a transfusion. I told the vets before surgery that I was sure this would prove to be a benign hematoma. They didn't quite believe me, but when the surgeon called with the pathology results, she said, "You have hit the splenectomy jackpot twice in row. The report says 'consistent with benign hematoma.'" Joker is doing very well now. as a happy senior who knows that I couldn't stand to lose him a day too soon.

A splenectomy is really major surgery and the recovery is difficult. The spleen processes a lot of blood and you have to make sure that the dog is quiet - no being off-leash or rough play indoors - for weeks after the surgery. The dog needs pain medication for several days to two weeks after surgery and just needs a lot of loving.

Would I do this again? In a heartbeat, given an otherwise healthy dog. For Allie, you will make the right decision, based on tremendous love and determination to do what is best for her.

Hugs and prayers,
Lucy

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Lucy, owned by Joker and Sunny, who remember Charlie with me
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...years-old.html

I also had a dog with her spleen removed that turned out NOT to be cancer. She was 12 at the time and lived to be 15. It seems like it's about 50/50 here on the forum, I think she has a very good chance.

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I had two dogs with splenetic masses, both hemangiosarcoma. Our first boy was let go on the table because the surgeon found cancer cells everywhere. It was too late. Our second boy had a splenectomy, to save his life. Leaving it in wasn't an option for us because it's life threatening to the dog whether it's benign or malignant if it bleeds out. It took a week and it was hemangiosarcoma. His mass was about half the size of Allie's. He recovered from the operation very quickly. I was surprised at how quickly! We opted for chemotherapy, which didn't affect him negatively at all physically, but we lost him almost 4 months later. We did a lot of living during those months, made a lot of wonderful memories and gave him a lot of love.

I'm very sorry you are facing this.

There are some hemangiosarcoma studies going on right now that you could participate in, but I don't have the link handy. Maybe someone else on the forum has it. I believe it's through either the Broad Institute or University of Minnesota.

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

My King had an emergency splenectomy when he was 7, he was close to having bled out. His recovery went very quickly and the results were benign.

He died when he was 14 1/2, so half of his life he lived a great ilfe with no spleen - cancer did kill him in the end but liver cancer.

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Golden moments shared with
Casey, Faelan, Towhee & Brady too !

and forever in my heart, my golden Bridge boys
Rowdy & King

Sorry have no experience of this, but just wanted to say we are thinking of you

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Kelly, Ginny, Ralph & Holly - Forever in my heart

"I miss the wagging little tail,
I miss the plaintive pleading wail,
I miss the wistful loving glance,
I miss the circling welcome dance"