Signs & Symptoms of a Bleeding Tumor in the Abdomen of a Dog
When a hemangiosarcoma, a canine tumor, strikes it hijacks the dog's blood vessels and creates a blood-filled tumor which can cause severe bodily damage or death if it ruptures. This aggressive cancer strikes quickly and can spread to other organs. Awareness of the warning signs of a bleeding tumor could save your dog's life in a crisis situation.
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Look For a Swollen Hard Mass
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Generally, hemangiosarcoma has no signs until the tumor ruptures. However, in some cases the dog develops a hard lump in its abdomen. Perform an occasional tactile check on the dog by rubbing along its abdomen; look for the sudden appearance of a hard lump. Dogs have a higher chance of surviving hemangiosarcoma if detected early and treated by a veterinarian, especially if it has yet to spread to other internal organs.
Sudden Swelling of the Abdomen
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Hemangiosarcoma tumors usually appear on vital organs, most often the spleen, liver or heart. When the tumor bursts the dog's body swells as its blood fills its abdomen. This sudden internal bleeding threatens the dogs life; without medical intervention most dogs only survive a few hours after a tumor bursts. Immediately take any animal with balloon-like swelling to an emergency veterinarian even if it has no other signs of hemangiosarcoma.
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Changes in Behavior
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When dogs develop a cancerous tumor their mood and behavior often changes. Listless behavior and sudden fatigue indicate blood loss from a bleeding abdominal tumor. Additionally, a burst tumor causes anemia which results in a loss of color; check that the dog's gums are pink because white gums indicate a problem. The dog may also show impaired breathing or heart irregularities. Finally, a canine seizure can indicate a burst tumor in an animal who has never seized before.
Collapse
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Dogs do not routinely collapse; any collapse is serious and life threatening. When a dog collapses from a burst tumor it means the blood filling its abdomen is diverting oxygen away from its brain. Even when the dog has shown no other signs of hemangiosarcoma, collapse indicates a major problem, like heat stroke or heart attack. Seek veterinary assistance immediately following a dog's collapse.
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References
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