Prevalence of hemangiosarcoma in anemic dogs with a splenic mass and hemoperitoneum requiring a transfusion: 71 cases (2003-2005).
OBJECTIVE
To determine prevalence of splenic hemangiosarcoma in anemic dogs with a splenic mass and hemoperitoneum requiring a transfusion and to identify factors that could differentiate between dogs with hemangiosarcoma and dogs with other splenic masses at the time of hospital admission.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
71 dogs.


METHODS
Medical records, blood bank logs, and histologic reports of dogs with a splenic mass and hemoperitoneum that required a transfusion between 2003 and 2005 were reviewed. Dogs that received a transfusion of packed RBCs, were splenectomized, and had a definitive histologic diagnosis were included.


RESULTS
Signalment of dogs was similar to that in other reports. Malignant splenic neoplasia was identified in 54 of 71 (76.1%) dogs, whereas 17 of 71 (23.9%) dogs had a benign splenic lesion. Of 54 dogs with malignant splenic neoplasia, 50 (92.6% [70.4% of all dogs]) had splenic hemangiosarcoma. In addition, dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma had significantly lower total solids (TS) concentrations and platelet counts at admission. Finally, hemoperitoneum was strongly associated with a diagnosis of splenic hemangiosarcoma.


CONCLUSIONS
In this clinical population of dogs, prevalence of hemangiosarcoma was higher than in other studies. Dogs with hemangiosarcoma in this study had significantly lower TS concentrations and platelet counts at the time of admission, compared with values for dogs with other splenic masses. No other markers were useful in differentiating dogs with hemangiosarcoma. It is important to discuss the prevalence of and poor prognosis associated with hemangiosarcoma with owners when they are contemplating whether to proceed with treatment.
Hammond
Tara N
TN
Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Angell Animal Medical Center, Boston, MA 02130, USA.
Pesillo-Crosby
S Anna
SA
D000818:Animals; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*