Veterinary Guide to Canine Liver & Gallbladder Cancer 2025 🩺🐶

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

🧬 Understanding Liver & Gallbladder Cancers

Liver and gallbladder cancers in dogs are rare (<2% of cancers ), but serious. They may begin in the liver (primary hepatocellular carcinoma or bile duct carcinoma) or gallbladder, or metastasize from other cancers.

Types of Hepatobiliary Tumors

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) – most common; often massive (single large nodule), but can be nodular or diffuse.
• Bile duct carcinoma, the second most common primary liver cancer, may involve the gallbladder wall, cholangiocarcinoma.
• Gallbladder carcinoma – rare, often obstructs bile flow, and causes jaundice.
• Metastatic tumors – spread from other cancers, indicating advanced disease and poor prognosis.

👥 Who Is Affected?

• Primarily older dogs, sometimes middle-aged; breeds at higher risk include Goldens, German Shepherds, Poodles, Rottweilers.
• Gallbladder tumors typically occur in seniors and often involve bile duct obstruction.

⚠️ Clinical Signs to Watch For

Early stages may be asymptomatic. Signs often appear when the disease is advanced :

• Weight loss, decreased appetite, lethargy.
• Jaundice—yellowing of gums, eyes, and skin.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain/distension.
• Fever, coagulopathies, and ascites.

🔍 Diagnostic Approach

1. Physical exam & labwork: CBC/chem may show elevated liver enzymes, low albumin, and bilirubin; clotting may be abnormal.
2. Imaging: Ultrasound is key—identifies size, location, and number of nodules; CT/MRI helpful for surgical planning.
3. Biopsy/FNA: Ultrasound-guided sampling confirms tumor type and malignancy.
4. Thoracic & abdominal imaging: Rule out metastasis.
5. Gallbladder-specific tests: Ultrasound or CT to detect mucoceles, stones, wall thickening, or masses.

🛠️ Treatment Options

1. Surgical Removal

• Lobectomy for singular/massive HCC offers an excellent prognosis, as the liver can regenerate.
• Cholecystectomy if gallbladder cancer or obstruction is present, often combined with hepatic resection.
• Massive or focal tumors are the best candidates; nodular/diffuse forms are less amenable to surgery.

2. Chemotherapy & Targeted Therapy

• Adjuvant chemo after incomplete excision or metastatic tumors.
• Metronomic chemo (low-dose daily) or targeted therapy (e.g., Palladia/toceranib) may be used.
• Stereotactic radiation is emerging for inoperable focal lesions.

3. Supportive Care

• SAMe and milk thistle (silybin) supplements aid liver support.
• Nutritional liver-friendly diets, antiemetics, coagulation support, and fluid therapy.
• Palliative care prioritizes comfort in late-stage or diffuse disease.

📈 Prognosis & Outcomes

• Massive HCC, surgically removed: dogs can live multiple years post-op due to liver regeneration.
• Nodular/diffuse: poor prognosis—hard to remove, average survival 3–6 months with supportive therapy.
• Gallbladder carcinoma: variable—depends on resectability; obstructive disease may shorten survival.
• Metastatic disease: advanced with poor outcomes despite therapy.

📱 Ask A Vet Telehealth Support

• 📸 Upload imaging (ultrasound/CT) and lab reports for specialist review.
• 🔔 Get reminders for pre-op testing, follow-up imaging, supplement schedules.
• 🩺 Video consults for post-op monitoring, wound checks, jaundice/ascites assessment.
• 💊 Purrz delivers meds—chemo, liver support, pain relief, anti-nausea drugs.
• 🧠 Woopf logs track appetite, weight, energy, side effects, and long-term recovery.

🎓 Case Spotlight: “Cooper” the Labrador

Cooper, a 10-year-old Lab, had lethargy, jaundice, and elevated liver enzymes. Ultrasound revealed a 5 cm mass in the right liver lobe; FNA confirmed HCC. Right lobectomy was performed. Supplements and a liver-friendly diet were started post-op. Ask A Vet coordinated histopath review, medication delivery, and monthly liver panels. Two years later, Cooper remains asymptomatic and active. 🐾

🔚 Key Takeaways

1. Primary liver/gallbladder cancers are rare but serious; early detection is crucial.
2. Start with bloodwork and imaging (ultrasound, CT); confirm with FNA or biopsy.
3. Surgery is the best option for focal tumors, with excellent outcomes in massive HCC.
4. Chemo, targeted therapy, and radiation help when surgery isn't possible.
5. Supplements like SAMe and silybin aid liver recovery.
6. Ask A Vet telehealth enhances care—providing diagnosis support, treatment coordination, and monitoring throughout recovery 📲🐾

Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, founder of Ask A Vet. Download the Ask A Vet app for telehealth guidance—from imaging review and surgical planning to remote monitoring, medication delivery, and long-term support after liver or gallbladder cancer diagnosis 🐶📲