What are Heart Tumors?
Tumors may develop in or around the heart, arising either directly from the heart tissue or spreading from another part of the body. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common form of heart tumor found in dogs, although it is rare overall. Large breed dogs like the Golden Retriever are more prone to the condition. The prognosis for dogs with hemangiosarcoma is poor, but prompt surgical treatment prior to metastasis may increase your dog’s odds of survival.
Hemangiosarcoma is rare but aggressive and is the most common type of heart tumor found in dogs. Tumors affect the heart’s ability to pump blood, which leads to weakness and lethargy. If hemangiosarcoma is left untreated, the tumor may rupture, filling the sac around the heart with blood and resulting in sudden collapse.
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Symptoms of Heart Tumors in Dogs
Some dogs with heart tumors show mild to no clinical signs while others may have more severe symptoms depending on the extent of the cancer. Symptoms are primarily nonspecific and include:
- Lethargy
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness
- Pain
- Collapse
Symptoms that relate to the heart and may correlate to the tumor, versus the tumor itself:
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of appetite, disinterest in treats or snacks
- Accumulation of fluid within the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, or visible abdomen stretching
- Weight loss
Types
Heart tumors may arise from heart tissue or may metastasize from other areas of the body. The most common type of heart tumors are hemangiosarcomas, which typically involve the right side of the heart. Other types include:
Causes of Heart Tumors in Dogs
Much as with other cancer types, there is currently no known cause for heart tumors in dogs. There is a predisposition in certain large breed dogs, such as German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers, but heart tumors may develop in any dog. The condition typically affects middle-aged to older dogs.
Diagnosis of Heart Tumors in Dogs
As with any veterinarian visit, it's especially important to provide the veterinarian a thorough history of your dog's recent health. This should include behavioral changes, accidents (interaction with wildlife, sprained leg, getting into the pantry), living patterns, and any illnesses that may have gone unreported.
Because heart tumors are not detectable on the surface, asymptomatic dogs are usually diagnosed when they receive radiographs as part of the diagnostic process for another condition. However, if your dog is exhibiting unusual behavior or general weakness, the veterinarian will conduct basic tests as part of the initial examination. These may include blood work and a urinalysis, along with an electrocardiogram if the veterinarian suspects heart problems.
Heart tumors are typically diagnosed through a combination of history, physical findings, and clinical laboratory analysis. The presence of the tumor can be confirmed with a chest radiograph or with echocardiography, which uses sound waves to create an image of the heart. Depending on the location and extent of the heart tumor, the veterinarian may recommend further testing to support the diagnosis of heart tumors and to discover if metastasis is present. These tests include a complete blood count and biochemistry profile, cytological analysis, imaging, and analysis of fluids withdrawn from the abdomen. If the veterinarian encounters a particularly interesting, rare, or developed case, she may refer you to a specialized cancer doctor, or oncologist.
Treatment of Heart Tumors in Dogs
Treatment plans will vary depending on the location of the tumor, the extent of metastasis, and the overall condition of your dog. Hemangiosarcoma carries a poor prognosis if left untreated, as the tumor may lead to bleeding below the pericardium, which is a thin membrane that encloses the heart. This places additional pressure on the heart and may prevent it from pumping blood. As part of treatment, the veterinarian may need to drain the blood from beneath the pericardium so that the heart can resume to its normal function.
Surgery and chemotherapy are both potential options for treating a heart tumor. In either case, the veterinarian will most likely refer you to a specialist to address the condition. Surgical treatment is not usually recommended, especially with hemangiosarcoma, as the tumors will most likely have metastasized by the time of diagnosis. However, if the tumor is small and has not yet spread, surgery may be able to remove it completely.
Chemotherapy can control the tumor’s growth and limit metastasis, and certain types of heart tumors may respond to the medication.
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Recovery of Heart Tumors in Dogs
If your dog underwent surgery successfully, you should now focus on providing a safe, quiet place where he or she can recover. Limit physical activity, and inspect the surgical site daily for signs of infection.
Following either surgery or chemotherapy, the veterinarian will need to examine your dog again in order to ensure that the tumors are either gone or are under control. Unfortunately, heart tumors can be aggressive, and hemangiosarcoma is not often curable. Most dogs with hemangiosarcoma do not live long even with treatment. If your dog is diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, you may wish to focus on maintaining your dog’s quality of life with advice from the veterinarian.
Heart Tumors Average Cost
From 39 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $15,000
Average Cost
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Top
Heart Tumors Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Bichon Frise
Nicky
8
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My 8 year old Bichon passed yesterday. After coming home from the groomer, she seemed very tired on Saturday. On Sunday, she was still very tired, eating but acting like she had to go to defecate. On Monday, I took her to the vet where hey took a few pics and told me she had an enlarged heart that we could treat in a month or two but that she had a digestive issue as indicated with some fluid in the intestinal track. They gave me some meds and sent me home with her. By Monday her stomach was distended and so I took her to a vet hospital. They said the sac around her heart was filled up and when they did an stomach ultrasound, they found blood in her tummy. They were going to do surgery to extract the fluid from around the heart until they found the blood. They then advised us to put her to sleep. She wasn't sick until she came back from the groomer. Is this common? Could this result from a missed heartworm pill or a fall at the groomer. The vet at the hospital said her white count was very high and rather than do surgery, give her the final loving act. I hope I did the right thing. I am just sick about it.
Nov. 16, 2017
2 Recommendations
When a loved one suddenly passes like this with a short illness we are left asking many questions, without performing a necropsy we cannot know fully the extent of Nicky’s illness. Heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy, tumours, atrial tears, valve insufficiencies may go undetected for years because dogs can be asymptomatic and stoic; I don’t know what occurred at the Groomer or start to speculate if there was any fault. Try not to dwell on Nicky’s passing and instead think of the eight years you had together. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 16, 2017
It sounds like she had a major severe illness with the blood inside and the stomach distended, she probably had a tumor that burst and there is nothing they could do. This was developing slowly and has absolutely nothing to do with going to the groomer. If I were you, I would schedule a meeting with your vet and ask them to explain all her symptoms and what the blood meant and the swollen stomach. I think this will help you to gain closure and a better understanding about why your dog could not be saved. It sounds like she was in terrible shape with the blood in the stomach and fluid around the heart. Dogs hide when they don't feel well. I would talk some more to your vet, I am sure they would be happy to answer your questions. I am very sorry for your loss
Dec. 7, 2017
Calpurnia M.
My 6year old beagle passed yesterday while trying to drain the fluid that filled around his heart. He had 0 symptoms up until the day he passed . He had just got his blood work done the month before and it came back all good. He coughed here and there , but he was a beagle and ate everything . The morning of , he was acting uncomfortable like he was in pain of some sort. When he got lethargic is when we rushed him to the vet. His lips were cold and had no idea that was a symptom. He had been the the doctors regularly and was given the best food . Overall a very happy healthy dog. I was shocked to find out about the mass on his heart which caused bleeding and leakage intense his abdominal region. I can’t hekp to feel that I could had prevented this somehow. He passed during surgery, the vet said his heart stopped and he didn’t make it . I am devastated and I am looking for answers. He was my world .
Sept. 20, 2018
Danielle R.
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Miniature Schnauzer
Topher
7 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My dog was just 7months old and I found out he soemtiems has a heavy breathing sound (like human snoring or blocked nose kinda breathing sound) and he occasionally puked some clear sticky liquid with bits of bubbles. Did X-ray and ultrasound, and diagnosed with two cysta very near or attach to the heart. The vet suggested to go for ct scan on the heart to find out more what is it exactly. I haven’t booked into the ct scan, I’m so worried considering he is still a puppy. what’s the best and worst outcome might come from this? And is there possibility that it’s not cancer?
Oct. 31, 2017
1 Recommendations
There are a few different causes for cysts around or near the heart which do include cancer; but infections, parasites, inflammation and other causes may also cause cysts to form. It is not possible to say specifically what the cause is and a CT scan would give a better resolution of the area but exploratory surgery may also be an option as well to visualise, remove or biopsy the suspected cysts. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Nov. 1, 2017
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pit bull terrier
Rubie
14 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Heavy Breathing
Occasional Coughing
My 14 year old Pitbull and best friend started to lose quite a bit of weight over the past few months. I thought it was due to being older but being a concerned mother, I took her in for evaluation. Extensive blood work was done 2 weeks ago and to the Vets surprise, her numbers were fascinating. Tip top shape for a dog her age. I was advised to up her calorie intake (which I've done). About a week later she started to cough, often followed by a gag. It sounded like she was trying trying to clear her throat of something. Concerned again, I took her in and the vet prescribe hydrocodone to suppress her cough. He believed she had picked up kennel cough. The very next day after giving her the hydrocodone, she began crying out loud, breathing heavy and was very restless. I thought she was having a bad reaction to the meds. I rushed back to the Vet (now 2 days ago) and asked that X-Rays be given. I was shown that Rubie had a lot of fluid in her chest cavity. So much that her heart wasn't visible. I requested they drain as much as possible. After a few hours of leaving Rubie at the hospital she was ready to be picked up. I was told not much draining was able to be done because of the crucial area the fluid is built up. They don't like to sedate the animals during this procedure and "Rubie had enough of the procedure" by the time the Doctor tried to drain the other side. He told me that he did an ultrasound and saw a bit of darkness near the heart. He stated "I believe we are dealing with a mass here, but understand I am not a radiologist." My heart dropped.
I was advised to take her home, spoil her and spend as much time with her as possible because she has only a few days at best to live. My heart is breaking. I don't understand. She gets around just fine. She comes and gets me when she needs to go outside, she has a strong on-going appetite, wags her tail happy to see me, and is overall being her normal self in every way...even her daily bark today at the mail truck stopping by. Her new symptom that started last night is diarrhea but I'm thinking it's due to the Prednisone that was prescribed. I need more answers. I need more proof but I don't know where to turn. I don't have thousands of dollars. The past 2 weeks has cost me $1000 already. But am I willing to pay more? Yes. Because a lot of me is hoping she maybe has an infection in her lungs, or maybe an operable non cancerous tumor. I need more proof than "a bit of darkness on an ultrasound. I need more because I am not ready to let her go. She is not ready to go, because she is acting like herself. Please help my make sense of this, please point me in the right direction toward the next step.
Oct. 29, 2017
1 Recommendations
Without examining Rubie I cannot give you any concrete answers, but you should try to visit another Veterinarian in your area for another opinion as another echocardiogram would be useful diagnostically (some Veterinarians are better at it than others) and may give an indication of size, location and they may possibly be able to get a fine needle aspirate if they believe the procedure will not cause any negative effects. A Specialist would be best or try your nearest Veterinary School if you have one nearby as they may offer lower priced care allowing your Dollars to go further to help Rubie. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 29, 2017
Hi I have a male boxer, he's almost 9 and we're going through the same situation. He started to lose weight but we thought it was because he some times didn't eat breakfast. Then he developed a gaggy cough so we took him to the vet thinking it was kennel cough. The vet heard a heart murmur, did chest X-rays and saw something covering the heart so she referred us to a cardiologist. The cardiologist did I think an echo, and saw a tumor 10 cm x 8.5 cm on the base of his heart. She couldn't say whether it was aggressive fast growing cancer or benign and growing slow. At the most she says he will live 6 months or he could die any day if it's the aggressive cancer. He does the gaggy cough when he's excited like when we come home. They said we could try chemo but we're not, we want him to live out his remaining days naturally without drugs. I'm sorry you have to go through this too. Maybe try a cardiologist to see how big the tumor is. Where our guys is is right near his windpipe so no one would operate on it. Best of luck! Spoil your little angel!
Nov. 2, 2017
Andrea D.
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Chihuahua
Malu
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Dog diagnoised with fluid on herat.. fluid surgery successful dig back to normal n now for 7 days.
Vet recommended total periacardectomy and biopsy as they can't do any other tests to rule out something more sinister.
I read that this procedure is last resort. Is the veer doing the right thing by me and the dog
Oct. 10, 2017
0 Recommendations
Generally in these cases, echocardiography is used to guide the needle to drain the fluid and would show any structural issues with the heart like tumours and other anomalies. Causes are usually cancerous; but infections, heart failure, low blood albumin and other conditions may be the underlying cause. I have added some interesting links to reputable sources for you to read and compare Malu’s condition with. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
https://wagwalking.com/condition/pericardial-effusion
www.cliniciansbrief.com/sites/default/files/attachments/COC_Canine%20Pericardial%20Effusion.pdf
http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/managing-pericardial-effusion-dog-proceedings
Oct. 10, 2017
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Heart Tumors Average Cost
From 39 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $15,000
Average Cost
$10,000
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
