My dog had liver cancer surgery. What are treatment options?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While in theory anti-inflammatory medications can help to reduce the blood vessels feeding the tumor, this is only when combined with a chemotherapeutic agent such as cyclophosphamide given in a metronomic fashion. However, we have not found this to result in a better outcome in patients with metastasis (spread of the tumor). While those herbs are unlikely to be harmful, they unlikely to help. You can always however try the herbs and focus on her quality of life at this time. I would encourage you to seek a consultation with a veterinary oncologist that can review the case in detail and make recommendations. Good luck!

This is a very valid question and it is important to consider his overall wellbeing and comfort above and beyond prolonging the length of his life. If he is mobile, greeting family members as he normally would and eating enough (a specialised liver diet and supplements can help to reduce some of the symptoms of poor liver function by reducing the amount of toxins the liver needs to excrete. As long as his appetite is sufficient to prevent significant weight loss then it is likely he is feeling ok in himself. The following link can be very helpful for all family members to sit down together and discuss and can help in the medium term decision making https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/default/files/import/assets/pdf/hospital/companionAnimals/HonoringtheBond/HowDoIKnowWhen.pdf

Getting down to the cause of the liver failure is important for treatment. I would be concerned about the lumps and irregular breathing pattern. Chest x-rays would be helpful to determine if there is an abnormality with the heart or lungs or enlarged lymph nodes within the chest. The lumps could indicate cancer, either primary or secondary to another location. The liver is a common site of cancer or metastatic cancer. I would recommend talking to your vet about a liver biopsy or biopsying the masses to determine if they are cancerous. Antibiotics and steroids can help with infections of the liver or an inflamed liver, but if there was poor response then these are unlikely the causes of the elevated liver values. Denamarin is a supplement that contains antioxidants to protect the liver; it does not treat liver failure.

It depends on whether or not it is a primary lung tumor metastatic disease. Ideally, you should take your pet to see a veterinary oncologist to discuss the best treatment plans(surgery vs. chemotherapy). Discuss referral with your veterinarian.

I'm really sorry to hear about Chloe. I know how hard it is to see a friend suffering with this disease. Cancer that affects the liver can be caused by many different types of cancer, so I cannot advise on treatment for this without knowing the type of cancer. It is best that you have this discussion with your veterinarian. They would be able to find out what cancer it is by taking a sample of the tumor and sending it to the lab. The diet also depends on how well the liver is functioning. Again, your veterinarian would be able to tell you this after analyzing the blood chemistry. For now, feed whatever the veterinarian has advised. A switch in diet can be dangerous depending on how well the liver is functioning. I know this is a very difficult time and you have many questions, but your veterinarian will have the most information and be the best to answer them at this time. For now, try to stay positive and know that you have at-least given Chloe almost 10 years of a great life.

Hello. Without the bloodwork, I can not address her overall condition to say whether surgery is appropriate or not. I would highly recommend that x-rays of her lungs be done to see if there is any evidence that the mass on her liver has metastasized to her lungs. If this has happened, then I would not put her through surgery. An ultrasound of her abdomen would also be very useful in looking at the liver, gall bladder & kidneys, & would give much more information about what is going on. In the meantime, I would start her on insulin to try & regulate the elevated blood sugar. Talk to your vet to see what the next best steps for Layla are. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I'm sorry Buddu was just diagnosed with cancer. The answer to your question depends on the type of cancer he has, and if and how much it has spread. You can talk to your vet about treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Again, I'm sorry :-(