Recently we lost our 8 year old German Shepherd Dog “Ritz” to Hemangiosarcoma (HSA).

Hemangiosarcoma is known as the “Silent Killer” amongst dogs and cats. Mainly though found in dogs, and is most prevalent in older large breeds such as German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors, but ALL breeds are affected.

We would like new nationwide guidelines put into place which could give pet owners a fighting chance against (HSA) through advertising (leaflets) and integrated into Veterinary Computer Software bringing up a Flag or Alert to the Veterinarian (Vet) practice when an older dog is brought in showing one of the many symptoms of HSA.

This cancer was something we were completely unaware of when we brought our dog in to our local Veterinary Hospital for a check because of no appetite. On that visit, we discussed many possibilities and none of them were found to be the cause of her loss of appetite. If some sort of flagging system or alert were in place within the computer software the Vet could identify that a dog of an age of six or greater, would greatly benefit from a more in depth exam or a diagnostic suggestion could be offered to the owner of said pet, which ultimately could save the pets life, or at least increase its lifespan.

If our Vet had offered us information regarding HSA we would have had them give Ritz an ultrasound on that day we brought her in, it is very likely she would still be with us today.

We feel that pet owners need to be made aware of the dangers their pet faces as it goes through the ageing process. Vets and owners need to be aware of and look for ANY of the markers of (HSA), mainly given a dog older than the age of six (6) with signs including loss of appetite, arrhythmias, weight loss, weakness, lethargy, collapse, or pale mucous membranes. Also possibilities could be as simple as noticing an enlarged abdomen, which is often seen due to hemorrhage of an HSA tumor, as we did the VERY NEXT DAY following her FULL examination.

Our request is that ALL Veterinary surgeries in the UK should be required to notify ALL owners of dogs as they pass the age of 6 years old as a precautionary measure, a flagging system put into place when a dog is brought into a vet surgery for ANY reason that is of age and that an abdominal ultrasound, and/or a health screening could possibly save their dogs life or at least give it a fighting chance from early detection of most cancers. The Vets in our area do this for inoculations and worming annually, why then could they not do this for ageing dogs. Simple blood tests would show cancer markers such as non-coagulation, and low Pack Cell Volume (PCV).

In closing we would like to you impose an advertising campaign by way of posters and leaflets in vet surgeries, and for veterinary surgeries around the country to send out reminders, to owners of pets that are the age of six (6) or older, of the need for bi-annual ultrasounds. Also vets themselves should notify owners that bring their pets in for routine appointments i.e. worming, boosters, check-ups etc. of their aging dog and future dangers thereof pertaining to age and breed, and that regular health checks could save the life of their furry best friends!

Print this page off and take into your vet. Send to your Pet insurance. Send it to your friends, don't let this happen to any more animals.

The Sumner Foundation - PetScreen

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