Liver cancer in dogs is a diagnosis no dog parent wants to receive. Yet a variety of cancers can, and sometimes do, affect a dog’s liver. To help you navigate your dog’s liver cancer diagnosis, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains the types, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for liver cancer in dogs.
If your veterinarian just said the words “liver cancer,” it may feel like your world is crashing down around you. No one wants to hear that their beloved dog has cancer. And liver cancer is no exception.
While your veterinarian probably discussed your dog’s situation with you and laid out the options for the next steps, I know it can be hard to absorb information when you are still reeling from receiving bad news. And I want to help support you in your time of need. That’s why I created this guide to liver cancer in dogs.
What is liver cancer in dogs?
As you probably already know, cancer occurs when abnormal (i.e. cancerous) cells in the body start multiplying out of control. They can invade tissues or organs and spread to other parts of the body.
In the case of liver cancer, sometimes the abnormal cells originate from the liver itself (i.e. primary liver cancer). And in other situations, the cancerous cells may spread to the liver from a tumor elsewhere in the body (i.e. secondary liver cancer).
What are the types of liver cancer?
In addition to classifying the tumor as primary or secondary, veterinarians also group liver tumors based on their distribution in the liver and the cells they originated from.
Liver tumors come in three forms:
- Massive—single large tumor in one lobe of the liver
- Nodular—several masses spread throughout the liver lobes
- Diffuse—tumor cells distributed throughout the liver tissue
Additionally, primary liver tumors fall into four categories based on what cell type they arose from:
- Hepatocellular—originating from liver cells
- Cholangiocellular— growing from the cells of the biliary duct
- Mesenchymal— arising from cells that become muscle, connective tissue, fat, and blood vessels
- Neuroendocrine—originating from nervous system cells that can create hormones
The vast majority (75%) of primary liver cancers in dogs are hepatocellular. Mesenchymal is next at 11%, followed by cholangiocellular at 9% and then neuroendocrine at 3%.
Finally, and perhaps more importantly for your dog, liver tumors are classified as either being benign or malignant. Benign tumors remain in one location and don’t usually cause much trouble for the dog. On the other hand, malignant (i.e. cancerous) tumors can spread to other locations and cause more damage to the tissue.
There are a number of different liver tumors, but let’s take a look at a few of the most common.
Which liver tumors are cancerous?
Unfortunately, dogs may develop malignant liver tumors. Some of the more common types include:
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is most common type of primary malignant liver tumor in dogs, and also the most common hepatocellular tumor. It is often a solitary lesion, which is good news because that makes it easier to remove surgically. Single tumors also have a low rate of metastasis.
However, diffuse and nodular forms are also possible, and have a higher metastatic rate. HCC occurs more often in males than females, and the Welsh Corgi may be predisposed to it.
Cholangiocellular (biliary) carcinoma
The second most common type of primary liver cancer in dogs is cholangiocellular carcinoma. Compared to HCC, cholangiocellular carcinoma most commonly has a diffuse distribution and carries an increased risk of metastasis. It is more likely to occur in females than in males.
Hemangiosarcoma (HSA)
Hemangiosarcoma in dogs is a mesenchymal type of liver cancer that can be primary or secondary and tends to spread very quickly. HSA is prone to rupturing suddenly, which often leads to life-threatening bleeds that originate from the liver. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherd Dogs may be more likely to develop this kind of cancer.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma in dogs is another mesenchymal tumor which can either be primary or secondary. Most often, it starts in the lymph nodes and then spreads to other parts of the body like the spleen, lungs, and liver. However, it is also possible for lymphoma to originate from the liver.
Secondary (metastatic) tumors
Up to this point we have talked about primary liver cancers or ones that can be primary or secondary. However, the liver is also a common location for metastasis (i.e. spread) of other types of cancer. In fact, one study indicated that only 26% of liver masses were primary. This means the vast majority of the time, a dog’s liver mass is the result of cancer spread from another location.
Some common types of secondary liver cancer include:
- Lymphoma
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Exocrine pancreatic carcinoma
- Intestinal carcinoma
- Islet cell carcinoma
- Renal carcinoma
- Mast cell tumors in dogs
Which liver tumors are benign?
However, not all liver tumors are malignant. Dogs can also develop benign tumors such as:
Hepatocellular adenoma
As the name indicates, hepatocellular adenomas arise from the liver cells (i.e. hepatocellular origin) and are usually solitary tumors. Some hepatocellular adenomas can grow quite large. They are often an incidental finding on imaging like ultrasound, and symptoms may only appear if the mass starts to bleed or presses on surrounding internal organs.
Biliary cystadenoma
These bile duct (i.e. cholangiocellular) tumors are also solitary and sometimes lobulated. Like with hepatocellular adenoma, dogs can be asymptomatic at first.
Myelolipoma
Myelolipomas are single mesenchymal tumors that can originate from the liver or other internal organs within the abdomen. They occur more often in cats than dogs, and are usually an incidental finding on imaging.
Hepatic nodular hyperplasia
Nodular hyperplasia is a benign process in which multiple nodules form in the liver lobes of older dogs. These nodules are not a precursor to cancer, do not alter liver function, and are typically asymptomatic.
What are the symptoms of liver cancer?
With most liver tumors, the signs are often vague or non-existent. In fact, one in four dogs with liver cancer are asymptomatic. And many times the vet doesn’t diagnose the dog with liver cancer until he or she happens to palpate an enlarged liver during a physical exam or find the tumor on imaging (e.g. X-rays or ultrasound). This is one of many reasons why annual or semi-annual exams are important—they may be responsible for a diagnosis of liver cancer before it causes symptoms!
If the dog is symptomatic, he or she may show signs such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Poor appetite
- Increased thirst in dogs and increased urination
- Dehydration
- Being a lethargic dog
In more advanced cases, the dog may develop ascites (i.e. free fluid in the abdomen). The fluid can give a pot-bellied dog appearance and push on the diaphragm, making it harder for the dog to breathe. Additionally, some dogs develop low blood sugar as a result of the liver tumor (i.e. paraneoplastic hypoglycemia). This may cause the dog to be weak. collapse, or have seizures in dogs.
Dogs with hemangiosarcoma of the liver and/or spleen may also experience sudden and life-threatening internal bleeding if the tumor ruptures. This can lead to collapse, pale gums, weakness, and even death. This is a situation where time is of the essence, so if you notice any of those signs, make an emergency vet visit immediately.
How is liver cancer diagnosed in dogs?
With the exception of sudden internal bleeding, many of these symptoms of liver cancer are vague and could point to many different conditions such as diabetes in dogs, Cushing’s disease in dogs, liver disease in dogs, or kidney failure in dogs. This means that your veterinarian may need to perform a variety of tests to determine that it is liver cancer—and not another condition—causing the signs.
Alternatively, other dogs may have no outward sign that anything is wrong with them. It isn’t until the mass ruptures or the vet does a wellness exam and bloodwork that liver cancer comes up as a possibility.
Either way, the vet may perform some of the following diagnostics:
Blood work
The vet may recommend bloodwork as part of the wellness visit or to start tracking down the cause of vague symptoms. Typically this involves a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel, but the vet may add on other tests like a clotting profile.
Dogs with liver cancer may have increased liver enzymes such as a high ALP in dogs, prolonged blood clotting times, anemia in dogs (i.e. low red blood cell numbers), or other abnormalities.
X-rays
If the vet palpates an enlarged liver or the bloodwork points to a liver problem, sometimes he or she may take an abdominal X-ray to evaluate the size and shape of the liver. But it isn’t usually possible to definitively find a liver tumor on X-rays. Advanced imaging like ultrasound, MRI, or CT are much more sensitive for detecting liver cancer.
X-rays are however, very good at looking for evidence of metastasis to the lungs or enlargement of other organs like the spleen. So the vet may recommend them as a staging tool after finding a liver tumor.
Ultrasound, CT, or MRI
The best ways to find and evaluate liver tumors are abdominal ultrasound, CT, or MRI. These advanced imaging modalities allow the vet to look in and around the liver lobes and get an idea of what the liver tissue looks like. Plus, the vet can use the ultrasound or other advanced imaging to assess the rest of the internal organs (such as the spleen, since splenic masses in dogs may spread to the liver).
Fine needle aspirate (FNA)
After identifying a liver mass, the vet may perform a fine needle aspirate or FNA. This involves using a needle to collect cells from the mass to determine what kind of tumor it is and if it is benign or malignant. However, it is important to know that an FNA can only correctly diagnose a liver tumor 60% of the time.
Biopsy
Performing a biopsy to remove a portion of the tumor correctly characterizes a liver tumor 90% of the time, making it superior to FNA for tumor identification. However, it is a much more invasive test and comes with a higher risk of bleeding, especially if the tumor is fragile.
What is the treatment for liver cancer in dogs?
Once your vet diagnoses your dog with liver cancer, he or she will discuss the treatment options with you. The type of tumor, location, distribution, and overall status of your dog’s health will all factor into these decisions. Some possible options include:
Surgery for liver cancer
Surgical removal of the tumor is the treatment of choice, but it isn’t possible for all tumors. A veterinary surgeon can usually remove a solitary mass, or cancer that is localized to one liver lobe or the gallbladder. This is the case because the liver is comprised of several lobes. A liver lobectomy (i.e. removing a lobe) may not impact overall liver function. Plus, the liver has regenerative properties and can even function when up to 75% of it is removed!
However, if the dog has secondary liver tumors (i.e. ones that spread to the liver from a different site), the cancer is diffuse, or the primary tumor has already metastasized, surgery is typically not a good option.
Chemotherapy
Depending on the type of liver cancer and how the surgery went, the veterinary oncologist may recommend chemotherapy after the tumor removal. Plus, chemotherapy is sometimes an option for nodular or diffuse liver cancers where surgery isn’t possible. When used for primary liver tumors, it may delay progression in some cases. And chemotherapy is an important part of treatment for lymphoma, mast cell tumors, and hemangiosarcoma.
Additionally, there is a newer procedure called chemoembolization. It involves using a catheter to deliver chemotherapy and an agent to block blood flow directly to a blood vessel feeding the tumor. This cuts off the blood supply to the tumor and delivers the chemotherapeutic agent directly to the tumor cells. While it seems promising, chemoembolization is not yet widely available and its benefits are not fully known at this point.
Radiation
The liver is very sensitive to the effects of radiation, so for the most part it isn’t a good option for dogs with liver cancer. However, some veterinary oncologists are using stereotactic (i.e. precisely targeted) radiation for dogs with liver cancer.
Natural treatments for liver cancer
Like with most cancers, it is very unlikely that natural and holistic therapies will cure liver cancer in dogs. However, some holistic and natural treatments are available that may help support dogs with liver cancer.
- Supplements containing milk thistle have a protective effect on the liver because of milk thistle’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Curcumin, which is found in turmeric, is also an anti-inflammatory and has been shown to kill cancer cells in a laboratory setting.
- An herbal supplement called dispel stasis in the middle palace can be used to help with blood stasis (i.e. slowing of blood flow through the liver) and liver qi stagnation (which causes abdominal pain and poor digestion).
- Yunnan Baiyao for dogs, another herbal supplement, can decrease blood loss from aggressive liver and splenic cancers like hemangiosarcoma.
Please consult your veterinarian or a veterinarian who is skilled in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) if you are interested in trying these supplements for your dog with liver cancer.
Palliative care
In some cases, the therapies we discussed may not be the right option for your canine companion. Maybe the tumor isn’t amenable to treatment. Or perhaps the financial and time costs as well as the effects of the treatments on your dog’s quality of life are simply too much.
If you are in the second category, I want you to know that it is ok to forgo treatments and instead take steps to keep your dog comfortable as long as possible. Just because you can do a treatment doesn’t always mean you should.
Additionally, even if you do pursue treatment, there may come a time when it is no longer working. And then you will need to make the decision to shift the focus from addressing the tumor to keeping your dog comfortable.
In all of these situations, your vet can talk to you about the options for palliative therapies (i.e. comfort care). Liver cancer in dogs can be painful, especially if the mass is large enough to push on other internal organs. So your vet may prescribe pain medications to keep your dog comfortable. Or if your dog is nauseous or has a poor appetite, the vet might recommend anti-nausea medications like Cerenia for dogs or appetite stimulants for dogs.
What is the prognosis for liver cancer in dogs?
The life expectancy of a dog with liver cancer will depend on the type of mass present and its distribution. If it is a solitary tumor that can be removed with surgery, a dog can have a good prognosis and live for several more years, especially if the dog is middle-aged and the mass is benign.
Additionally, in dogs with massive (i.e. a solitary mass) hepatocellular carcinoma, surgical removal can be curative in some situations. In a study of 48 cases of dogs with massive hepatocellular carcinoma, dogs who did not undergo surgery were 15 times more likely to die from cancer complications than those who did.
Unfortunately though, most nodular and diffuse primary liver cancers, including bile duct carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors, and mesenchymal cancers, carry a poor prognosis. The survival rate for dogs with these types of cancerous tumors is very low, and many will have a poor quality of life once other symptoms appear.
Final stages of liver cancer in dogs
In end-stage liver cancer, the dog may develop symptoms from the tumor itself or from tumor spread. Large hepatocellular carcinomas or tumors of the bile duct can obstruct the bile duct, leading to jaundice (i.e. yellowing of the skin), abdominal pain, and GI signs.
Additionally, liver cancer may spread to the dog’s lymph nodes, abdominal lining (i.e. peritoneum), or lungs. And dogs with hemangiosarcoma may suffer massive internal bleeding at any point, forcing dog parents to decide when to euthanize a dog with hemangiosarcoma.
Making the decision to euthanize your dog with liver cancer
If your dog has recently been diagnosed with liver cancer and the prognosis isn’t good, it can help to have a plan in place for your dog’s final days. You may want to talk to a vet who provides dog hospice care or have a conversation with your vet about how to keep your dog comfortable. And it might be a good idea to start filling out a quality of life scale for dogs on a regular basis so you can have an objective indicator of your dog’s wellbeing.
Preparing for your dog’s euthanasia is never easy. But remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Your friends and family can be there to support you. And I want to provide some resources which might help you in the journey:
- In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers to 12 FAQs
- Do Dogs Grieve? Helping Your Dog Cope With Loss
- Dog Memorial Ideas: 10 Ways to Honor Your Dog’s Legacy
- Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
- Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
- How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Make the most of the days
Sometimes you get lucky and your dog’s liver tumor is benign or surgery is curative. But other times, a diagnosis of liver cancer does mean that the end is near for your dog. I wish I could take that pain away from you. But the best I can do is provide information and some words of comfort and encouragement to hopefully ease the pain a little.
So I’ll leave you with this thought. Dogs live each day in the moment. Even if you don’t have a lot more days left together, you have today. And you can make the most of it. Go to the pet store and pick out a new toy together. Snuggle on the couch and watch a movie. Take a walk and visit your dog’s favorite people and places.
You know what would make the day special for your dog. Hopefully, you have a lot more good days together. But even if you don’t, hang on to the memory of all the good days in the past and the ways you made your dog’s last days the best they could be.
Has your dog been diagnosed with liver cancer?
Please share your dog’s story or any words of encouragement for other dog parents.
Not even sure I can type these words. I just received word that my little boy, Jackson (almost 13 yr old shih tzu), has a large mass on his liver, that given the size in not operable. It was found due to elevated liver enzyme’s and today he had an ultrasound and CT scan. He otherwise is healthy they tell me. They are suggesting targeted radiation which scares me – and given the success rates I’ve seen on line – I question is it right to put him through that ? I don’t want to (honestly can’t) lose him. It’s just him and me and my whole is crashing.
Dear Michelle,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with Jackson. I am not sure there is a right or wrong way to proceed. The most important thing is that Jackson is comfortable, and you are at peace with the decisions being made. Trust your intuition as you know your boy better than anyone. If you would rather forgo treatment and focus on palliative care that is ok! Quality of life is the goal, not quantity. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted and find joy in each day. Bless you and your sweet boy.
My sweet little boy Bubby J was diagnosed a week ago with a large tumor in one lobe of his liver. He’s a 13 1/2 year old Chinese Crested and seems to be in good health otherwise. We had no idea anything was wrong but very high liver enzymes were discovered in his routine blood test. He had x rays and ultra sound to confirm. We are awaiting needle aspiration results next week.
It sounds like a difficult surgery and at his age, I’m afraid to do it and put him through a major ordeal. The vet gave me Denamarin to help his liver and put him on Hils LD food. Bubby has a great appetite and seems always hungry. I’m wondering if there’s something better to feed him that may be better for him than LD. I would like to know if there’s something to help shrink the tumor so it doesn’t cause him any of the problems, or get larger..I’ve been reading that can happen as time goes on. I read that a combination of certain mushrooms have been successful for this. I love my little guy so much and can’t bear the idea of him feeling bad or be in any pain. So far, he seems to be ok. I have two other pups, miniature and standard poodles.. Rip and Cherry. he and Cherry, our mini.. love each other and are “attached at the hip. “ if you can offer me any advice on natural meds and food, I’d greatly appreciate it. I just want him to be happy and with us as long as possible. Thank you so much, I really appreciate any advice.
Hi Maddy,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your senior guy. I understand your concern with surgery and can see why you are searching for more natural treatments. I have had several readers share their stories of using different mushroom blends to keep cancer at bay for a while. I am not aware of any specific therapies that are proven to be successful for this type of cancer. It may be a good idea to find a holistic vet in your area or one that practices Traditional Chinese Medicine to offer guidance and support. Hoping you can find the answers you need to ensure Bubby remains comfortable and happy for as long as possible. Wishing you all the best. Bless you and your sweet pup.
The love of my life, Buddy, was recently diagnosed with liver cancer. We pursued a needle aspiration after finding a 5.5cm mass. The results came back as likely hepatocellular carcinoma. We are choosing to have the tumor surgically removed. However, Buddy also has several smaller nodules on his liver. What is the likelihood the smaller nodules are also cancerous?
Hi Sonia,
I am sorry Buddy is suspected to have liver cancer. I understand your concern but think you are doing a great job of staying on top of things and being proactive with treatment. Unfortunately, there is no way to know what the chances are of the other nodules being cancerous. They may or may not be related to the larger mass. Hopefully the surgeon will get samples of these nodules to send off to pathology along with the mass so you can get some answers. Wishing you and your sweet boy the best of luck. Praying for a successful surgery and smooth recovery.
I will ensure they remove as many as possible and obtain any samples they can. I just hope I am not putting him through this, only to find out there are more tumors on his liver that can be removed, or that the cancer has already metastasized. He has already been through testicular cancer (surgical removed) in 2018 and adenocarcinoma in an anal sac (surgical removal, chemo, and radiation) in 2021.. He’s a strong boy. The love of my life. And I don’t want to lose him. Thank you for your advice and prayers, and for responding so quickly.
Hi Sonia,
I know you only want what is best for your boy and the conflicted emotions you are feeling are normal. It is hard to make these kinds of decisions when there is truly no one right answer for how to proceed. Trust your intuition and lean on the expertise of your vet. You are doing a great job advocating for Buddy’s health and well-being. He is a lucky boy to have you as his partner in life. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted and find a bit of joy in each day. Continuing to pray for you and Buddy and feel free to keep us updated on how things are going. ♥
our 13 years old cross German shepherd boy has just been diagnosed with a tumour on his liver. the quick ultrascan showed it as quite large and the educated guess (but he said it is still a guess) is that is covers the liver. there is fluid in the abdomen but no blood. the big question is whether to operate. His suspicion is that it is in the whole liver. Our worst nightmare is that he is put to sleep during the operation. We don’t know whether to go with more treatment or enjoy what time is left.
Dear Tina,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your senior guy. I wish I had some great advice but unfortunately, you have to go with your intuition. You know your boy better than anyone else. It is ok if you decide to forgo surgery to pursue palliative/hospice care and focus on quality rather than quantity of life. Don’t let guilt sway you one way or another. Make whatever choice you can be at peace with and enjoy the time you are gifted. Praying for clarity and strength. Bless you and your sweet boy.
Rescued our Chow and he is 12 and half years old, Vet in London Diagnosed with a tumor on his liver the size of a Peach last July 2023. During a Ultrasound., said It cannot be removed because of the location. Getting contradicting. Answers on how long he has got. Was told he would loose weight, vomiting, diarrhea., He has a Lost 10lbs since last July. Although we think he has had three seizures. He is eating like a horse., still fine. How can we tell what his life expectancy is. Is the tumor receiving the food or him. Not enough answers from our Vet.. Told us to watch for less eating, vomiting etc., but that is not happening. Will he be around for another four months, as the Vet in London. Gave him one year. Is that because of the size of the peach, or what. Does he need more tests…… Any answers PLEASE>
Dear Susan,
I understand your concern for your Chow, and I am sorry he is facing this difficult situation. I wish I could give you definite answers, but the problem with cancer is it makes its own rules. Cancer doesn’t always behave the way the book says it should and can be completely unpredictable. The signs your vet is having you watch for are general signs of declining health and poor quality of life. These are the same things I would have any client watch for with any senior pet in their final stages of life (no matter how long the final stage lasts). His tumor isn’t receiving “food” but rather grows from its blood supply. It is possible for cancer to affect the GI tract and cause your boy to not be able to absorb all the nutrients he needs from the food he is eating. So, most of the nutrition may be flowing straight through the intestines and leaving as waste in the feces. This could cause your pup to act very hungry even though he is eating a large amount. I am not sure if this is the case, but I am very suspicious based on what you described above. Ultimately, make the most of this extra time you have been gifted. Spoil him rotten and fill each day with joy and happiness. Wishing you all the best as you continue life’s journey. Bless you both!
I have a 14 yr old Yorkie had her since birth she was diagnosed with liver cancer a week ago she has a persistent cough like she gagging I don’t know when the right time is to put her down she eats barks
Dear Debbie,
I am sorry your senior girl is battling cancer, and I can only imagine how hard this must be for you both. I will attach links to other articles with great information on how to know when it is time to say goodbye. Make sure you stay in contact with your vet and update them regularly on any new issues. There could be medications or supplements that would be able to lessen the severity of her symptoms and make your girl more comfortable during these final days. Wishing you strength and peace. Bless you and your sweet girl.
1. How to Introduce Your New Puppy to Your Older Dog
2. When to Euthanize A Dog With Liver Failure: A Vet’s Advice
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Our 12 yr old Golden Pyrenees died yesterday. He had a splnectomy Mar 6, then chemo for 2 rounds, then, was happy with no chemo as it drained him. We got 10 extra weeks with Ambush but alas it was not meant to be. He died in my arms. We are devastated and trying to breathe.
Dear Alex,
I am so sorry for your loss of Ambush. I can only imagine how much you miss him. There are no words for how big an impact a beloved pup can have on our lives. I am glad you were with him in those last moments and feel certain your presence was a comfort. Wishing you comfort and peace and praying his memory will stay with you forever. ♥
Lydia, our Yellow English Labrador (10 years 9 months as if this day) having been with us for 4 1/2 years has inoperative cancer. We took her out of a sad existence September 8th, 2019.
When we got her we had no idea sea she was NOT fixed so at 6 years 8 months she had a hysterectomy. It would appear to me that would be traumatic for that aged dog. She immediately increased her weight from low 70’s to mid 80′ ‘s. About 14 months later she began limping.. It was determined that she had a degenerative elbow issue. That was almost 3 years ago. During the past 3 years she has been poked and prodded but throughout Lydia exhibited dignity and really accepted all the medical attention without a fuss. Then Sept 2023 she stared having accidents in the house which she never did before. For three months the Vet treated it for pancreatitis and only at my request there was an X-ray preformed on Dec 28th. It was discovered from X-ray that she had a mass attached to her spleen. So on Jan 3rd surgery was performed with the doctor taking out the spleen along with a 3 pound mass. Prior to the biopsy results the surgeon felt certain the mass was NOT malignant. Fast forward to today and it has been determined 2 days ago that she has liver cancer and has only a short time. Just devastated!
Lydia was the neighborhood dog and rarely had to be on a leash. She is very social to people and dogs, never biting or snapping. Numerous neighbors have come by the home for support and several were extremely tearful and agitated. If a person in the neighborhood had a garage, front door or gate open she would enter the premises assuming that was an invitation.
She will be sorely missed by everyone in the neighborhood in addition to my wife and myself.
After my 15 1/2 black Labrador died in late 2017. I was expecting that the remaining life time span for Lydia with us would be 9 years. Yet we got half that! For much of 3 of those years Lydia has been in a tremendous amount of pain. I feel Lydia, my wife and myself have been robbed a bit.
But in the end her sweet nature and regal demeanor have made such an impression on us; especially considering the pain. She will always be in our hearts. I am having a very hard time getting my mind wrapped around my life without her.
I could go on and on but I believe this is a good synopsis of her life with us.
We will always remember you, our Liddy Girl!
JFP
Dear James,
My heart aches for you as you prepare to say goodbye to Lydia. I can only imagine how much she will be missed by you and everyone in the neighborhood. I cannot think of a greater act of kindness than to allow your own heart to break in order to spare Lydia from unnecessary suffering and pain. She is such a lucky girl to have found you and it is obvious you filled her life with happiness and love. Thank you for sharing her story with us. May her memory live on and continue to be a blessing in your life.
We have been very blessed this past year. Our Siberian Husky, Nokia, was diagnosed late in the development of the cancer and only given two or three months to live. She exhibited no signs until late in the development. We still have her and even though there have been bad days overall she is still happy and getting around very well over a year later. We immediately took steps to make her life longer…. a special diet and special activities in particular.
She is a special girl, everyone loves there babies! I’m a truck driver and there’s not been very many times she hasn’t been with me so when she became ill that ended. Fortunately my wife doesn’t have to work so Nakia is always attended to.
I’m going to tell you no matter how hard you try to get a grip on the circumstances when you see your baby having a bad day it will tear you up as you immediately will know this could be the end. We’ve been lucky, our baby is a fighter and continues to defy the odds and bounces back. Love them like tomorrow won’t come because at some point it won’t. I never know when I leave for a week or more if I will see her again and that makes me not like to do my job.
Love every minute you have with these furry critters… they are the most loyal and loving creatures on Earth and you will miss them when they are no longer with us.
Best wishes for all who are going through this…
Just an old truck driver getting your goods to the stores…
Dear Ricky,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. It sounds like Nokia is a very lucky girl to be part of your family. I can only imagine how hard it is to leave hoping she will still be there to greet you when you get home. Thank you for what you do to keep this country running! Wishing you all the best and praying for many more days ahead to continue making memories with your sweet girl. Bless you and your family. ♥
Can you please share with me what special diet and activities you put in place for Nomia? Our beloved 13 year old male Siberian Dakota now has diffuse ( late stage) liver cancer after fighting his way through two liver lobe reactions over the last 4 years. He still goes to the dog park and eats home cooked food that he loves our vet is nice, but never mentioned a “special diet” — just said feed him what he loves. And he has 3 months according to her, so that advice was not unexpected. I don’t accept this prognosis and it warmed my heart to hear about Nokia and your story. I am sad that you have to travel for long periods away, though. I do hope your baby is with you still and I hope you might consider reaching out to me with any advice you have @ [email protected]
No one can ever replace our fur babies. Please send my best to Nokia’s Mom, too.
Thank you!
Donna
We took our mini Aussie Sydney, to the Vet for teeth cleaning (he will be 16 in Nov). We received a call from the Vet telling us she found some irregularities in the blood samples taken before the cleaning.. We went ahead with the cleaning and after met with the Vet to find out what might be wrong.. She thought perhaps it was Cushings because we had mentioned he had big appetite but did not have any other abnormal issues. We had him scanned and she came back with the news he had hep carcinoma. Our Vet cannot do the type of surgery necessary so she recommended Blue Pearl which for us has been an emergency clinic. Dr Aldridge met with us and agreed the surgery could be done. Sydney had a lobectomy. Dr. Aldrige did an awesome job and our boy came home the same day. He was zonked out for a day but recovered quite quickly never once touching his very long incision.. One year later he is still doing well, but dealing with other aging issues, poor vision due to some kind of neurological issue, hearing loss and we think dementia, but we are so glad we were able to give him the surgery he needed.
Hi Mona,
I am so glad Sydney’s surgery was a success! What a blessing he has gained an extra year of life. He is a lucky guy to have you taking such good care of him. Keep up the good work and give your sweet boy a hug from me!
Thank you for your article. My Reggie is an 11 year old shepherd mix. Just about a year ago he was diagnosed via ultrasound with a very large tumor of the spleen and also a smaller tumor on his liver. The vet also did multiple and different types blood tests. There were many signs that something was wrong. Reggie drinks about 5 gallons of water a day and pees as much. His appetite is voracious and has increased over the last year. I try to monitor the amount of food he’s getting but now he also seems to be losing weight. Another thing that I don’t know if its related or not but his fur has not grown back on his belly from where they shaved to do the ultrasound. Based on my discussions with the vet there weren’t any treatment options available that were also affordable. One thing I kept in mind was Reggie and his feelings. Reggie hates the vets office and he dislikes even more when they take him away from me for routine tests (this has been since Covid). I decided to take Reggie home and love him and care for him as best I can for as long as possible. We take life one day at a time and enjoy it to the fullest. Everyone’s circumstances are different. As pet parents we need to do the best for our pets but also for ourselves with no guilt.
Dear Nora,
I am sorry Reggie was dealing with these severe symptoms and even with thorough testing you were left with more questions than answers. I hope you were able to keep your boy comfortable and that he was happy for his final days of life. Thank you for sharing your story with our readers. Wishing you brighter days ahead and peace for your heart. ♥