Though most liver tumors, also known as neoplasms, in dogs are malignant, a benign form of liver tumors called hepatocellular adenomas or hepatomas occurs as well.
Effects
Hepatocellular adenomas usually do not cause illness in dogs. They may cause some changes in the dog's blood, but otherwise they are harmless.
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will examine your dog for liver cancer if it is exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, swollen belly and discolored feces. Though hepatomas are not the cause of the symptoms, they usually are discovered during examinations for other issues.
Prevention/Solution
In most situations, you will not need to treat your dog's hepatocellular adenomas. You veterinarian will want to monitor them, however, to make sure they don't grow.
Bile Ducts
Benign tumors, called biliary adenomas, can also grow in the bile ducts. Like hepatocellular adenomas, these tumors are completely harmless, unless they grow too big and put pressure on the ducts and other organs. Symptoms include vomiting and lack of appetite.
Prevention/Solution
Unless the tumor is causing problems, your veterinarian will recommend you do nothing. If the tumor has grown to a size where it is pushing into other organs, your veterinarian may recommend surgically removing it.
Tags: veterinarian will, hepatocellular adenomas, liver tumors, other organs, Prevention Solution
