The liver is the largest organ in a dog's body and it performs hundreds of functions every day including filtering blood, aiding in breathing and producing proteins. When a dog is discovered to have a liver mass, it can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
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Causes
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A canine liver mass may develop for several reasons including environmental factors, foods, infections or chemical carcinogens, such as pesticides.
Symptoms
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Some common symptoms of a mass or tumor affecting the liver include vomiting, pale gums, generalized weakness, loss of appetite, jaundice and weight loss.
Diagnosis
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To confirm the diagnosis of a liver mass, the veterinarian will run several tests including blood tests, a biopsy of the liver, x-rays and an ultrasound to determine the size and location of the mass.
Treatment
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If the liver mass is accessible, then surgical removal is an option. The dog may also undergo chemotherapy if the cancer has spread, along with blood transfusions or IV fluids.
Prognosis
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The prognosis for a canine with a liver mass will vary greatly based on the type of liver mass present (benign or malignant), as well as whether metastasis has occurred.
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