Integrated approach in veterinary medicine: clinical redirection following incidental hepatocellular carcinoma in a dog

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31533/pubvet.v20n4e1945

Keywords:

Hepatic neoplasm, hepatocellular carcinoma, veterinary oncology

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most prevalent primary hepatic neoplasm in the canine species, accounting for 35% to 60% of cases. It is characterized as a silent disease, whose nonspecific and subtle clinical signs often result in late or delayed diagnoses. The present study aims to report the case of an 8-year-old male Golden Retriever dog, initially presented with a complaint of right hind limb lameness. During orthopedic screening for ligament insufficiency correction, preoperative exams revealed alterations which, complemented by abdominal ultrasonography, identified an amorphous mass of approximately 10 cm in the caudate hepatic lobe. The patient underwent partial hepatectomy, with histopathological examination confirming the diagnosis of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. This report demonstrates that a holistic view of the patient and the judicious interpretation of complementary exams allowed for the swift redirection from an orthopedic manifestation to an assertive oncological approach, favoring the prognosis and survival of the animal in the face of an aggressive pathology

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Published

2026-04-30

Issue

Section

Medicina veterinária

How to Cite

1.
Silvestrini AR, Gruenewald APC, Silvestrini GR, Silvestrini IR, Reis M, Melo SR. Integrated approach in veterinary medicine: clinical redirection following incidental hepatocellular carcinoma in a dog. Pubvet [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 30 [cited 2026 Oct. 20];20(04):e1945. Available from: https://ojs.pubvet.com.br/index.php/revista/article/view/4622