Liver Cancer in Dogs

Liver cancer in dogs, especially metastatic liver cancer, is quite common and unfortunately hard to detect because many dogs do not show any symptoms until at a very late stage. Moreover, many symptoms are rather indistinct. Read this page to learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and conventional treatment of canine liver cancer.

Liver cancer in dogs is a silent killer - it happens rather frequently in canines and since many dogs do not show any distinct symptoms until it is too late, it feels as if the cancer can raise its head and kill overnight.

As dog parents, we need to be mindful of this killer cancer and educate ourselves as much as we can.

Two Types of Liver Cancer in Dogs

Primary Liver Cancer

Primary liver cancer is the result of a primary liver tumor (i.e. one that originates in the liver). The most common primary liver tumor is the hepatocellular carcinoma which usually does not spread to other parts of the body. Instead, the tumor invades into the liver tissue.

Primary liver cancer is less common than metastatic liver cancer in dogs. Primary liver cancer occurs more frequently in older dogs (10 years of age or older). There is a slightly increased risk of primary liver tumors in male dogs. Although rather rare, primary liver cancer in dogs can also metastasize to other parts of the body.

Metastatic Liver Cancer

Metastatic, or secondary, liver cancer is one that has spread to the liver from other organs. Metastatic liver tumors are generally multiple nodules.

Why is metastatic liver cancer so common in dogs?

The liver is the largest organ in the dog's body, and it is involved in a large number of bodily functions and processes. In particular, the liver is one of the main organs responsible for detoxifying many toxic substances circulating in the body. A lot of medications are metabolized in the liver, putting a lot of stress on the organ. It is understandable, therefore, that the liver is one of the primary targets of almost all metastatic cancers.

Cancer that metastasizes tends to travel to the liver through the blood stream or the lymphatic system, and the fact that the liver is supplied blood through two blood vessels instead of one makes it all the more vulnerable.

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Signs of Liver Cancer in Dogs

In the early stage of canine liver cancer, clinical signs are vague and not distinctive. As the disease progresses, some symptoms of canine liver cancer include:

Vomiting
Appetite loss
Weight loss
Lethargy
Blood in stools (a sign of internal bleeding)
Excessive thirst and urination
Pale gums (a sign of anemia)
Anemia as a result of appetite loss and/or internal bleeding
Jaundice as a result of liver disease and anemia

As you can see, quite a few other diseases, especially diseases that involve the liver, may cause the same signs as listed above. Other common liver diseases that may cause similar symptoms include hepatitis, leptospirosis (an infectious liver disease in dogs caused by a kind of bacteria called a spirochete), viral and fungal infections of the liver, etc.

Due to a lack of distinctive symptoms in the early stage and the fact that the liver can continue to function for a while even having been afflicted by cancer, most liver cancer cases are diagnosed rather late, resulting in a poor prognosis. (See this page and this page for typical examples of how vague the symptoms are and how fast a dog can succcumb to liver cancer at its later stage.)

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Causes of Liver Cancer in Dogs

The cause of primary liver cancer may be related to environmental factors, such as exposure to cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). You may be surprised by the fact that dogs are exposed to toxins and carcinogens more often than expected. Dogs are exposed on a daily basis to such chemicals and toxins as may be contained in some household cleaners and pesticides.

If a dog is being fed a low-quality commercial pet food, he is also constantly being exposed to harmful chemicals contained in the food, such as food additives, artificial coloring and flavors.

Diagnosis of Liver Cancer in Dogs

If canine liver cancer is suspected, usually the following tests will be done:

Complete blood count
Biochemical profile
Abdominal and chest x-rays
Abdominal ultrasound
Clotting tests
Urinalysis
Liver biopsy

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Treatment for Liver Cancer in Dogs

For primary cancer cases that show no evidence of metastatic disease, surgical removal of the liver tumor may be possible. If complete removal of the cancerous cells can be achieved, the dog patient can live for about a year after surgery. Some may even survive for several years.

Chemotherapy is usually not effective and therefore not used for primary malignant liver tumors, which are highly resistant to chemotherapy drugs.

Malignant tumors that cannot be surgically removed due to severe involvement of the liver and/or metastatic spread to other parts of the body carry a very poor prognosis.

In cases of secondary liver cancer, chemotherapy is sometimes recommended.

Natural Remedies for Liver Cancer in Dogs

Although dog liver cancer has a poor prognosis, don't give up if your dog has unfortunately been diagnosed. Explore various treatment options, including natural treatments such as herbs, homeopathic remedies, cancer diets, and natural supplements. Natural remedies are effective in strengthening a dog patient's immune system, making the body stronger to fight against diseases such as cancer.

Visit our pages on Herbs for Cancer in Dogs and Dog Cancer Diet for more information on these two complementary treatment options. Please also use the navigation bar on the left of this page to find other useful K9 cancer information on this site.