The clinical, imaging and microscopic evaluation of hepatic tumoral processes in dogs

Veterinary oncology studies have stated the scarcity of hepatic primary tumors in dogs, as well as the role of the liver as main target organ for the metastases of many tumors developed in other organs and tissues. This study is structured in two parts including clinical and imaging data, as well as paraclinical and microscopic data. The importance of clinical examinations as keys to the identification of hepatic general pathology is emphasized; they must be complemented by the imaging exams in order to confirm the presence of lesions in this organ. The described exams have been performed in 25 dogs in order to diagnose the presence of hepatic neoplasias. The results of blood tests and microscopic examination have a pivotal role in establishing the etiology of the hepatic tumoral pathology. The study highlights the foundations of the examination strategy that is to be assumed when diagnosing hepatic tumoral pathologies in dogs.