According to Pet Alive, carcinogens and toxic compounds regularly pass through the liver, making it vulnerable to cancer. Cancer from other parts of the body can also spread to the liver. Surgery can help treat liver cancer in dogs.
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Symptoms
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A dog with liver cancer might display symptoms of vomiting, appetite loss and weight loss, according to Vet Surgery Central Inc. A vet might also find a tumor when carrying out routine abdominal ultrasound or X-ray.
Identification
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Vet Surgery Central reports that a dog usually goes through testing before a vet decides on surgery. The test might include complete blood cell count, coagulation profile, urinalysis, chest radiographs, abdominal CT scan and fine needle biopsy.
Types
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Liver cancer can be metastatic or primary. A dog with metastatic liver cancer usually goes through a minimally invasive liver biopsy, during which the vet inserts a camera into the abdomen to get a sample of the liver. According to Vet Surgery Central, this procedure only confirms a cancer diagnosis. Primary liver cancer can be treated with surgery to remove the tumor cells.
Aftercare
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After a surgery on primary liver cancer, the vet often provides pain medication, antibiotics and intravenous fluids for the dog, according to Vet Surgery Central. At home, the dog should limit exercise, have regular meals and take oral pain medications. The dog owner has to monitor the dog's respiration patterns, incision scars, gums and tongue.
Effects
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According to Natural Dog Health Remedies, if a surgery on primary cancer completely removes the liver tumor, the dog might live for at least one year and probably even several years. However, surgery might not help a malignant tumor that cannot be completely removed. Vets might recommend chemotherapy to treat secondary liver cancer.
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