An Unseen Threat WHAT DOG OWNERS CAN DO ABOUT SPLENIC TUMORS Y esterday, your dog was just fine. They were running around, playing with their favorite toy, and begging for table scraps. But today you came home and found your four-legged friend collapsed on the ground. An emergency trip to the veterinarian reveals a large, bleeding tumor in your dog’s spleen. Now you have several decisions to make, including whether or not your dog will go in for surgery and have their spleen removed.
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As a husky, I have a lot of energy, which means I’m always ready to run around outside. I can play fetch for hours, and I love hiking around
the glaciers on Blacktail Mountain. And if it’s snowing, that’s even better! I go crazy for the snow, which must be
another part of being a husky. When it snows, I get the zoomies and have to run all over the place. Hikes are a hundred times better in the snow.
Most dog owners are well aware of the risk for tumors their canine companions face. Cats can develop tumors, too, but nasty splenic
The weather’s starting to warm up, so we’re probably not going to have many more snow days. That’s alright. I love the snow, but I also love going on bike rides with Sarah when the weather is nice! More sunshine means more bike rides. That sounds pretty good to me.
tumors most often are a problem in dogs. Most big dog breeds, including labs, retrievers, springers,
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rottweilers, shepherds, poodles, and hounds, have the highest risk of developing tumors. That said, smaller dogs can also develop tumors.
When it comes to splenic tumors, the statistics aren’t great. Two-thirds of splenic tumors are malignant and most of those malignant tumors are
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hemangiosarcomas, a cancer of the blood vessels that can spread to other tissues in the body. Sadly, if a dog has hemangiosarcoma, there isn’t anything we can do to cure them, not even removing the tumor.
For splenic tumors, the best-case scenario is that the tumor is benign. Removing those types DOES cure the dog. Unfortunately, benign and malignant tumors can look exactly the same. Currently the only way to tell if a tumor is malignant or benign is to remove the spleen and get the pathology report. This is one of the many reasons splenic tumors are so difficult to treat. Tumors like this are immensely troubling because no amount of exercise or healthy diet will prevent them. The best we can do is try to catch tumors early so we can treat them as soon as possible. Because most tumors can’t currently be detected by bloodwork, we rely on ultrasound to check a dog’s spleen, liver, and heart for signs of trouble. Tumors become a greater risk as dogs get older, which is why we recommend that senior dogs get ultrasound exams. To pet owners worried about tumors, we recommend scheduling regular wellness exams, which includes getting bloodwork and ultrasounds completed. It’s also important to mention any behavioral changes you notice to your veterinarian. When a tumor becomes a problem, it strikes fast. Early detection can make a huge difference in your pet’s quality of life.
3. Flour countertop, then roll dough to be 1-inch
thick. Use 1 1/2-inch circle- shaped cookie cutter to cut dough into circles. Use all dough. 4. Bake for 10–12 minutes until cookies are an even color on top. (Note: Cookies will lighten in color as they cook.) Carefully remove from oven and transfer to wire rack to cool. 5. Smear a little peanut butter in the center of two cookies to make a sandwich, and serve to your favorite pooch! Pro Tip: To keep cookies fresh, don’t turn them all into sandwiches at the same time. Wait to put peanut butter between cookies until you’re ready to treat your dog. With this method, cookies will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
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