A retrospective study of canine hemangiosarcoma and its association with acanthocytosis

A retrospective study was conducted on cases of canine hemangiosarcoma diagnosed at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine between 1969 and 1979. A total of 33 dogs were assessed with respect to breed, age, sex and site of neoplasia. Hemangiosarcoma was most common in older dogs and there was no sex predilection. Incidence was highest in German Shepherds. The primary sites in order of most frequent occurrence were spleen, right atrium and liver. Acanthocytes were found in six of 12 dogs examined. There was no association between acanthocytosis and such factors as breed, primary site of the neoplasm and splenic or hepatic involvement.