Primary liver cancer accounts for less than 1.5% of all tumors in dogs. The most common type of cancer to originate in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma. This cancer is believed to form on stem cells in the liver and it can grow to be quite large. It is responsible for about 50% of the liver tumors found in dogs. In some cases, the tumor can be identified as a palpable mass in a dog’s stomach. Often dogs present the typical symptoms of liver disease, but some tumors can be non-symptomatic for quite some time. Eventually, the tumor will cause serious abdominal hemorrhage. This type of cancer is slow growing; however, left untreated, it will cause cell death and cirrhosis of the liver and eventually lead to end-stage liver disease. It can metastasize to other areas of the body, most commonly to other organs in the abdomen, but this is less likely than with more aggressive forms of cancer. Surgery is possible with many tumors, and dogs have a good chance of recovery as long as the entire mass is removed. More diffuse tumors, including several lobes or even the entire liver, are much harder to treat. Cancers on the left lobe usually have a better chance of being successfully removed. This type of cancer is more common in older dogs, around 10-12 years of age.
Cancers often spread to the liver with metastasis, but primary liver cancer is rare in dogs. The most common tumor to originate in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma. This is a slowly developing cancer. Many cases are treatable with surgery, but it will depend on the type and location of the tumor.
Page 2
WINNIE
European
14 Years
1 found helpful
1 found helpful
Good morning, My name is Cristina Sararoiu, I am living in Bucharest - Romania. My friend's dog Winnie experienced loss of weight since October 2017 until now from 25 Kg to 19 Kg, so doctors started to fully investigated her thinking also to neoplastic process. Below is a summary of analysis and investigations, I only pointed out what seems to be of interest. 03.02.2018: alkaline phosphatase = 91 U/I (range 0-200), GOT/AST = 118 U/I (range 10-50). 11.04.2018 : alkaline phosphatase = 266 U/I (range 0-200), GOT/AST = 27 U/I, GGT = 13,5 U/I (range 1-10). 03.05.2018 : alkaline phosphatase = 593 U/I (range 0-200), GOT/AST = 10 U/I, GGT = 8,4 U/I. 03.05.2018 : serum albumin = 3,24 g/dl (range 3,4 – 4,2), Canine Pancreatic Lipase/Snap CPL = normal. 03.05.2018 : trypsin-like immunoreactivity = 16,1 ng/mL (range = 5 – 35). Coprology/17.04.2018 revealed Yersinia and Coprology/16.05.2018 revealed a strain of E.Coli – for both she has received specific treatment. Ultrasound examination/ 06.03.2018 Spleen: slightly irregular contour, normal size - 2.09 cm in hilum. Normal homogeneous background echogenicity; normal homogeneous background echotexture; there are several discreet hypoechogenic formations with dimensions up to 1.02 / 0.66 cm, spread throughout the spleen. Capsular invaginations present. Non-ectasia vascular system. Without ultrasound detectable splenic lymphadenopathy. Liver: irregular contour in the area of anatomical projection of the papillary process of the caudal lobe, normal dimensions, normal homogeneous echogenicity, homogeneous normal echotexture; In the hepatic mass there are several hypoechogenic homogeneous formations, the largest being of 3.18 cm ø with localization in the left lobe. Non-ectasia vascular system. Non-expanded biliary ducts. Porta hepatis looks normal. VP = 0.96 cm ø, laminar flow, normal ultrasound. Hepatic lymph nodes are ultrasonically undetectable. Gallbladder: Smooth contour, normal size, thin wall, anechogenic content with echogenic medium “sludge” and sedimentary hyperechogenic component that creates a slight acoustic shadow (cholelithiasis). Common bile duct undetectable by ultrasound. Pancreas: right lobe homogeneous hyperechogenic, thickness of 1,48 cm, without pathological alterations ultrasound detectable on the anatomical area of the body and left lobe. Peripancreatic fat has a normal appearance. Ultrasound examination/14.04.2018 Spleen: smooth contour, normal size-2,10cm in hilum. Normal homogeneous echogenicity, fine granular characteristic echotexture, non-ectasia vascularization. Capsular invaginations and hemangiomas (benign aspects) are present. Splenic lymph nodes are not ultrasound detectable. Liver: smooth contour, normal size. Normal homogeneous echogenicity, homogeneous normal echotexture; in the right lobe there are discreet hypoechogenic areas with dimensions up to 1.83 / 0.69 cm in the sagittal plane. Non-expanded vascular system. Non-expanded bile ducts. Porta hepatis looks normal. VP = 0.91cm ø. Aorta = 0.90cm ø. VP / Ao ratio = 1.01 (normal). No detectable periportal lymphadenopathy. Gallbladder: smooth contour, increased dimensions (preprandial aspect), thickened wall -0.49 cm. Anechogenic content with isoechogenic “sludge” with hepatic parenchyma. Undetectable common bile duct. Pancreas: no pathological alterations ultrasound detectable on the anatomical projection area. Kidneys: two cortical cysts on left kidney and one cortical cyst on right kidney. Rest of organs appeared normal at both ultrasound examinations, including all segments of the bowels. We don't know what to consider anymore, doctors first suspected "fat liver". Also, doctors recommended a biopsy from intestines through endoscopy but we are very afraid that she might not cross through the general anesthesia as she is 14 years old! Winnie continues to have extremely "watery" stools/watery diarrhea (3-4 times a day) of YELLOW color - in jet !, sometimes vomiting but rarely, she has perfusion with NaCl and glucose on daily basis as she gets dehydrated because of the watery stools and she has also got treatment with i.v. Metronidazole. We started to give her Enterogelan (from Virbac): starting with today (22.06.2018), is it Ok to give her also pre/probiotics and liver protection medication as well as antiseptic medication such as Furazolidone ? Many, many thanks for your time ! Yours sincerely, Cristina
June 22, 2018
WINNIE's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
I'm sorry that Winnie is having these problems, as dogs age it can be very difficult! Given the lab results that you have shown, starting her on Probiotics and liver supplements like Milk Thistle should not do any harm. Ursodiol is another medication that can help move gall through the gall bladder, and your friend can discuss with her veterinarian if that is an appropriate medication for her. I hope that she recovers from this well.
June 22, 2018
Thank you very much, we started giving Winnie Enterogelan and probiotics and she is much better in the way that stool is more solid and not water-like anymore, also we will start with Milk Thistle and we will check with vet about Ursodiol - this is a very good hint. I really appreciate your answer, many-many thanks, kind regards, Cristina
June 26, 2018
WINNIE's Owner
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Page 3
Alex
Border Collie
14 Years
1 found helpful
1 found helpful
Has Symptoms
Alex is a 14yr old border collie diagnosed with a tumor on his liver a couple of weeks ago, after blood work showed liver enzymes elevated, x-ray showed "rounded" liver. We had an ultrasound done, which confirmed a 7cm x 5cm x 3cm tumor on the right, near the stomach and gall bladder. We don't know what kind of tumor, but blood work was fine about 5 months ago, so our guess is it has grown quickly. The internal med vet who did the ultrasound indicated it could rupture in a day or a year. We were not considering surgery because of his age and it's position. The following day, I came home and found he had vomited and had a soft bulge about 2-3" wide on his right side that hadn't been there, and he seemed very weak. Emergency vet said he had a fever, aspirated the bulge and it was blood, did a quick ultrasound and found some fluid, but limited to the area right around the liver/stomach only. We were told to take him home and watch for a bloated tummy and pale gums (his gums were still pink), probably a week or less. He's been on gabapentin and Clavamox and is not himself but much better 5 days later. No vomiting, eating small meals well, sleeping a lot but little bursts of energy. I also started giving him the Chinese herb Yunnan Baiyao, which seems fairly well-known for help with bleeding. In any case, is it common for a tumor to start to rupture and then stop? I feel like we're just waiting on pins and needles, not knowing if the end could be today or next month?
March 19, 2018
Alex's Owner
1 Recommendations
Unfortunately some tumours do rupture and we have no advanced warning, it is just recommended to not allow a dog to do anything which would elevate blood pressure like exercise, excitement, stress etc… Yunnan Baiyao is becoming more commonly used in western medicine in both humans and animals, whilst there are some promising articles and its history of use there is not much been done on efficacy in these types of cases (more nosebleeds and wounds); but it is worth trying and I have recommended it many times. Tumours don’t typically stop when they have ruptured, but the blood may have been caused by a capillary or other small blood vessel which may stop bleeding due to normal clotting. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 19, 2018
Hi my name is Cheryl and my boy is going through something very similar. Were do I go to get some Yunnan Baiyao?
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Page 4
Primary liver cancer accounts for less than 1.5% of all tumors in dogs. The most common type of cancer to originate in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma. This cancer is believed to form on stem cells in the liver and it can grow to be quite large. It is responsible for about 50% of the liver tumors found in dogs. In some cases, the tumor can be identified as a palpable mass in a dog’s stomach. Often dogs present the typical symptoms of liver disease, but some tumors can be non-symptomatic for quite some time. Eventually, the tumor will cause serious abdominal hemorrhage. This type of cancer is slow growing; however, left untreated, it will cause cell death and cirrhosis of the liver and eventually lead to end-stage liver disease. It can metastasize to other areas of the body, most commonly to other organs in the abdomen, but this is less likely than with more aggressive forms of cancer. Surgery is possible with many tumors, and dogs have a good chance of recovery as long as the entire mass is removed. More diffuse tumors, including several lobes or even the entire liver, are much harder to treat. Cancers on the left lobe usually have a better chance of being successfully removed. This type of cancer is more common in older dogs, around 10-12 years of age.
Cancers often spread to the liver with metastasis, but primary liver cancer is rare in dogs. The most common tumor to originate in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma. This is a slowly developing cancer. Many cases are treatable with surgery, but it will depend on the type and location of the tumor.
Page 5
Primary liver cancer accounts for less than 1.5% of all tumors in dogs. The most common type of cancer to originate in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma. This cancer is believed to form on stem cells in the liver and it can grow to be quite large. It is responsible for about 50% of the liver tumors found in dogs. In some cases, the tumor can be identified as a palpable mass in a dog’s stomach. Often dogs present the typical symptoms of liver disease, but some tumors can be non-symptomatic for quite some time. Eventually, the tumor will cause serious abdominal hemorrhage. This type of cancer is slow growing; however, left untreated, it will cause cell death and cirrhosis of the liver and eventually lead to end-stage liver disease. It can metastasize to other areas of the body, most commonly to other organs in the abdomen, but this is less likely than with more aggressive forms of cancer. Surgery is possible with many tumors, and dogs have a good chance of recovery as long as the entire mass is removed. More diffuse tumors, including several lobes or even the entire liver, are much harder to treat. Cancers on the left lobe usually have a better chance of being successfully removed. This type of cancer is more common in older dogs, around 10-12 years of age.
Cancers often spread to the liver with metastasis, but primary liver cancer is rare in dogs. The most common tumor to originate in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma. This is a slowly developing cancer. Many cases are treatable with surgery, but it will depend on the type and location of the tumor.
Page 6
Primary liver cancer accounts for less than 1.5% of all tumors in dogs. The most common type of cancer to originate in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma. This cancer is believed to form on stem cells in the liver and it can grow to be quite large. It is responsible for about 50% of the liver tumors found in dogs. In some cases, the tumor can be identified as a palpable mass in a dog’s stomach. Often dogs present the typical symptoms of liver disease, but some tumors can be non-symptomatic for quite some time. Eventually, the tumor will cause serious abdominal hemorrhage. This type of cancer is slow growing; however, left untreated, it will cause cell death and cirrhosis of the liver and eventually lead to end-stage liver disease. It can metastasize to other areas of the body, most commonly to other organs in the abdomen, but this is less likely than with more aggressive forms of cancer. Surgery is possible with many tumors, and dogs have a good chance of recovery as long as the entire mass is removed. More diffuse tumors, including several lobes or even the entire liver, are much harder to treat. Cancers on the left lobe usually have a better chance of being successfully removed. This type of cancer is more common in older dogs, around 10-12 years of age.
Cancers often spread to the liver with metastasis, but primary liver cancer is rare in dogs. The most common tumor to originate in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma. This is a slowly developing cancer. Many cases are treatable with surgery, but it will depend on the type and location of the tumor.
Page 7
Penny
Golden Retriever mix
5 years
3 found helpful
3 found helpful
Has Symptoms
Looks Sad And In Distress
for 2.5yrs Me and my 2 dogs where progressively getting sicker and sicker but I did not know why until I found the toxic mold (including stachybotrys, chaetomium, penicillium/aspergillus, ascospores, cladosporium, to name a few) I had taken my dogs to the vet over and over again, knowing something was wrong. But they were never able to find anything. Although there was one time about 1.5 yrs ago where the Calcium levels were way too high on one of my dogs, and they even prepared me for cancer to be found. But further labs did not support cancer. So, they said they couldn't find anything. Once I moved out of the mold house, I put great effort into finding a vet that had experience dealing with mold illness in dogs. I found one that advertised that they had experience, and took both of my dogs to that vet 3 months ago. All of the medical records for both of my dogs was sent to the new vet. I spent $900 on each dog for a full and complete workup...including all of the labs, xrays, etc. Both of my dogs are very overweight, and I told the vet that the former vet and I never could explain the weight gain since the dogs don't eat that much. The labs came back showing the liver enzymes were high, and the vet even diagnosed one of the dogs as having peritonitis (although she did not prescribe antibiotics. Why would she not prescribe antibiotics?) The dogs continued to show signs of ill health, and I took them back 2 more times. They said that they could not find anything. About 2 weeks ago, one of my dogs was vomiting profusely, and had stool so encased in mucous that it looked like sausage and was in distress. I took her to the ER and they found on xray and sonogram a 10cm liver mass as well as free fluid in the abdomen. She underwent emergency surgery to save her life. The pathology report came back as hepatocellular carcinoma with ascites. HCC is a slow growing cancer, so this did not just pop up overnight. How do you miss a 10cm mass in the abdomen of a dog that weighs 65#? The Vet knew of the exposure to aspergillus (which causes HCC), as well as all of the other symptoms (weight gain, abdominal distention, increased liver enzymes, irregular labs, increased thirst, diarrhea, frequent urination, lethargy, depression, etc) I understand that sometimes these masses don't show up on xray, but running a sonogram on my dog was not even something that she suggested as an additional diagnostic measure, or I would have consented to that without a second thought. Had she caught this 3 months ago, or any of the other times that I had taken my dogs in, the surgery would have been elective, the condition would not have pushed my dog to the brink of death, and it would not have been as traumatic for the dog or myself. Not to mention the cost difference. What is the growth rate of HCC tumors in dogs? And how can one possibly miss a 10cm mass?
Sept. 1, 2017
Penny's Owner
3 Recommendations
I am unable to answer for your Veterinarian for why a liver mass wasn’t detected earlier; luckily the growth and spread of this type of tumour is slow and is usually only locally invasive when removed. Ultrasound is the diagnostic method of choice, but your Veterinarian may not have chosen to perform an ultrasound as the symptoms may not have lead her to that step (as I said I cannot speak for them). Peritonitis may be septic (infectious) or aseptic (urine, bile etc…), so depending on the type of peritonitis antibiotics may not have been required but the underlying cause should have been investigated. As for not detecting the mass, I cannot comment both from a legal point of view and also I wasn’t there during the examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM www.msdvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/peritonitis/overview-of-peritonitis
Sept. 1, 2017
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Page 8
Primary liver cancer accounts for less than 1.5% of all tumors in dogs. The most common type of cancer to originate in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma. This cancer is believed to form on stem cells in the liver and it can grow to be quite large. It is responsible for about 50% of the liver tumors found in dogs. In some cases, the tumor can be identified as a palpable mass in a dog’s stomach. Often dogs present the typical symptoms of liver disease, but some tumors can be non-symptomatic for quite some time. Eventually, the tumor will cause serious abdominal hemorrhage. This type of cancer is slow growing; however, left untreated, it will cause cell death and cirrhosis of the liver and eventually lead to end-stage liver disease. It can metastasize to other areas of the body, most commonly to other organs in the abdomen, but this is less likely than with more aggressive forms of cancer. Surgery is possible with many tumors, and dogs have a good chance of recovery as long as the entire mass is removed. More diffuse tumors, including several lobes or even the entire liver, are much harder to treat. Cancers on the left lobe usually have a better chance of being successfully removed. This type of cancer is more common in older dogs, around 10-12 years of age.
Cancers often spread to the liver with metastasis, but primary liver cancer is rare in dogs. The most common tumor to originate in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma. This is a slowly developing cancer. Many cases are treatable with surgery, but it will depend on the type and location of the tumor.