Hemangiosarcoma & Thrombocytopenia

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Hi all, I haven't been on here in a few years so really hate that I'm popping in out of the blue with such sad news. 

It's a long stressful story but the gist is that Winston has been struggling with a bunch of health issues recently that finally led to discovering a mass on his spleen. We thought he had immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (basically his immune system attacking his blood and killing all his platelets) but as he continued to struggle we decided to do an xray and ultra sound and found a mass on his spleen, leading to the likely diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma, of which the thrombocytopenia condition is a side effect (we can't tell for sure because we can't operate/biopsy with such low platelet count). Given the prognosis of the disease is very poor, even if we could remove it, we are coming to terms with the fact that we are losing him soon. Some of the other symptoms he's having indicate it may have already metastasized and spread.

I know I sound very clinical about all of this but it's been a hell of a rollar coaster and now I'm just trying to cope (plus banging this message out while I'm at work - was off with him for two weeks and can't afford to take any more time off so here I am). This all came to light labour day weekend when he had a possible bowel obstruction that couldn't be operated because he literally had a zero platelet count in his blood. He was struggling a bit before that but I just thought it was age related. Now the symptoms are clear and getting worse. He's losing weight, sometimes struggling to breath, has weakness (e.g. struggling on the stairs), vomiting a lot, etc. The good news is he's still showing that he's happy and remains interested in the things he enjoys, especially eating and being snuggled, so hoping to have a couple more months with him and plan to spoil him rotten.

I'm looking for support and advice from anyone who has been through this. Any ideas on how to extend his time with us that doesn't involve dangerous or invasive surgery or chemo (which will have limited effect anyway) and how to make his remaining time as comfortable and happy as possible.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sherri, I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. 

I have several friends who have gone through these same health issues with their dogs recently, and I have to tell you that if Winston were mine, I would be doing exactly what you are doing...making whatever time he has here with you as happy and comfortable as possible.

I would maybe look into finding someone who does pet massage. I recently started that for JD and he is really enjoying it. I found a woman who comes to your home, and the cost is surprisingly reasonable. JD is always very relaxed during and afterwards, and while it may just be my imagination, he also seems to be a little steadier on his feet when he takes his evening walk on a day when his masseuse has visited. 
This is me giving you & Winnie a huge hug and all the positive energy in the universe. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thank you so much Karen, your support is invaluable, as always. Give JD a hug and kiss from me too.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Sherri, I am so sorry to hear this and I really have no advice. You'll find your way of coping and you've already made life for Winston a much happier one than he had before. I hope you get lots more time with him and that he is comfortable and happy, just take your cues from him and you'll do fine. Spoil him as much as you can and love him just as you always have. Most of us old timers have doodles that are getting older fast and may have just an inkling of what you are going through. Know that your friends are here for you if you need to talk or if we can help in anyway. Hugs to you and Winston. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thank you Donna. Isn't it sad to think of all these doodles getting so old. I wish they would stay pups forever. :(

[Carol and Banjo]

Sherri,  I'm so very sorry to hear this sad news.   I wish I could offer  advice for dealing with his illness.   Winston only knows that you love him and care for him.   I hope vet can help with any discomfort he may have so that he can eat up all that loving you'll be giving him.     Please give him an extra hug from Banjo and I. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks Carol!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh, I am terribly sorry to hear this. I remember when you "rescued"him. I wonder if a transfusion would help him? I don't know if platelet transfusions are available for dogs which might buy him a little time. Meanwhile your decisions are sound and not doing crazy interventions is best. Yes, do spoil , yourself, Shophie and kitty.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks F. The vet hadn't mentioned transfusions but I will ask about that. Maybe with the transfusion he can get the splenectomy done, but even then, it's likely already spread there is little we can do.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sherri, I am so very sorry to hear about Winston.  I got excited when I saw your name pop up, then got sad when I saw the title of your post.  While we haven't dealt with this particular disease, I can relate to how you are feeling as we went through something similar with our Sophie and the decisions are just heartbreaking.  At least he is eating and seems happy so that is a plus.  We had a terrible time with Sophie eating.  She just wouldn't.  I did also want to add that I have a Niece with ITP.  They used to do a treatment for her called IVIG.  I did a quick google search for this and do they use it on dogs and here is just one that came up http://vetgirlontherun.com/treating-itp-patient-vincristine-versus-...     .  Not sure if it will help, but just thought I'd pass it along.  They also put her on steriods when her platlets drop to try and raise them.  Best of luck and hugs.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks for the info on ITP. I will check it out for sure. Winston is on a high dose of prednisone right now and probably will be for a while if not for the rest of his life. He's also on cyclosporine to suppress his immune system but Im questioning weather or not that's a good idea now that we know he has cancer. At least the cyclosporine is helping with his allergies so he's more comfortable in that sense.

[Julie C]

Hi Sherri, I am so very, very sad to hear about Winston. My husband and I lost our doodle, Tasha, in July to this dreadful disease.  It comes on so sudden but we did the same thing -- tried to make the time left for her the happiest we could.  Our hearts are still broken and we miss her every day.

Do you have an integrative or holistic vet in your area? If so, they can be a great help for noninvasive comfort care. I did a lot of research for Tasha and also our vet, even though she wasn't a holistic vet, had used Yunnan Bai Yao to stop or at least slow down the internal bleeding.  There is also treatment called I'm-Yunity for dogs with hemangiosarcoma.  Check out imyunityfordogs.com if you want more info on it.

We gave Tasha the Yunnan Bai Yao for the internal bleeding and I had ordered the I'm-Yunity but didn't receive it in time.  We had lost another dog 13 years ago to the same disease and decided this time to not do any invasive treatment or chemo for Tasha because we had gone thru more invasive things with our first dog.  We knew a lot more about the disease this time and didn't want to extend or cause anymore suffering.  But each dog and each situation is different; that just happened to be how we felt. :)

Again, my heart goes out to you and your family.  Please give Winston a huge hug from us too!  

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thank you. I've read about these treatments but have seen mixed reviews. It hasn't been properly studied yet and costs an arm and a leg (like at least $500 a month in supplements for Winston). I'm afraid it's just some company trying to exploit people who are desperate. Did you use it? Did it help for you? Anyway, it's only an option if he gets the splenectomy, which we can't do because his platelet count is so low.