Benign Liver Tumors in Dogs
Dogs may develop tumors on the liver. A tumor may be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). While it can be unnerving for a dog owner to receive the news of a tumor on the liver of their beloved pet, many tumors of the liver are benign and require no further treatment.
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Identification
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Benign liver tumors do not spread and may not cause any health problems.The liver is an organ that performs many functions in the dog's body such as the metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein. The liver also aids the body in the digestion of food and helps the body get rid of wastes. According to Peteducation.com, the liver is the only organ in a dog's body that has the ability to regenerate tissue that has been injured or removed.
Types
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The presence of a tumor on a dog's liver does not always mean cancer. There are several types of benign liver tumors that may occur in dogs. The hepatocellular adenoma is a benign tumor that can develop on the liver and does not cause illness in affected dogs. The presence of a hepatocellular adenoma may not require treatment. A hemangioma is another type of benign liver tumor that develops from blood vessels and does not usually cause illness in dogs.
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Symptoms
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Dogs that develop benign liver tumors may not exhibit any significant symptoms. Some benign tumors are found during routine blood work such as a liver enzyme test. According to Pet Place.com, other symptoms associated with liver tumors in dogs are pale gums, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, marked weakness, vomiting and diarrhea.
Diagnosis
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In order to determine if your dog has a benign liver tumor or if it is malignant, your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination and take a detailed history of your dog's health. Diagnostic tests such as a CBC (complete blood count), a urinalysis, a chest X-ray and an abdominal ultrasound may also be performed. In order to be certain a tumor is benign, your veterinarian may perform a biopsy from cells within the tumor. This involves extracting some of the tumor cells and examining them under a microscope. The veterinarian can determine which type of tumor your dog has based on the appearance of these cells.
Treatment
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Many benign liver tumors in dogs require no further treatment. Dogs that have tumors that begin to impinge on other organs or have tumors that rupture (bleed), may require surgical removal of the tumor. The prognosis for dogs with benign liver tumors is generally good.
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References
- Photo Credit tired dog image by MichMac from Fotolia.com
