[Emmayui]

Hi, everyone.
I’m writing today to seek some advice and guide regarding calcification on liver.



My Elly turned 10 this month. She always has been a picky child who doesn’t like to eat. This has been a long time concern for me.



Last year I asked to do ACTH test for her lack of appetite and hair loss. We did ACTH stimulation test, abdominal sonogram, pancreatitis profile (GI panel). Those tests didn’t find anything



Fast forward to now, we took her to the vet concerned with her joint pain.



We did a complete blood panel last week to see if she can get an Adequan shots from now on. Blood panel came back normal so we took her back to the vet yesterday for the shot & Xray.



She had her knees and hip Xray taken as well as her heart. My vet told me everything seems fine. We sent the result to a Radiologist for 2nd opinion just in case.



I got a call from my vet a couple hours ago saying she wants to schedule Elly for another sonogram to check her liver because the radiologist saw a slight calcification on the liver and that could be a sign of a.. liver tumor.



Elly was scheduled for a dental cleaning 2 weeks later I asked my vet if we can do the sonogram while she’s under then my vet told me “we should do the sonogram before the dental, because I don’t want to perform a dental on a dog who has a tumor.” Very blunt, am I right?


I don’t even remember how I ended that conversation. I hung up, I cried a lot then started searching for liver calcification and tumors. I’m still processing all of this but I started to wonder if this scenario is even possible. My vet didn’t see the calcification, only the specialist did. Bloodwork’s been normal, she’s not bothered much other than from her arthritis.



I know all I can do right now is to wait. Based on our past experience it seems like we’ll need to wait max. 2 wks for the sonogram appointment. (Also waiting for an urinalysis result..)



However I can’t help looking for someone who had a issue with calcification on the liver.. I will very much appreciate it if you can share your experience with me. And thanks to everyone for reading my post.



Best,

Emma

 

[Honeybunisfun]

Hello Emma! I don't know anything about canine ultrasound, but I am a retired sonographer. I know that it is not uncommon to see small calcifications in the liver on older patients that are just part of the normal aging process. I don't think you should worry too much considering everything so far has checked out and hopefully it will just be nothing serious. Hope this helps a little bit!
Good luck,
Gayle (Beau's mom)

 

[mss]

I understand how worried you are, while waiting for the next steps and results. {{{{}}}} I don't have any personal experience with or knowledge about calcification on a dog's liver. But it sounds like your veterinarian and consulting specialists are being very thorough -- although not as tactful as you would like. Since the liver processes anesthetics in the blood, it is my understanding that it is best not to do a dental if there is any concern about the liver. My vets always run blood chemistry lab work just before a dental and I'm sure would cancel the dental if there were any concerning results.

 

[wkomorow]

Liver cancers can happen but they are not common. Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) are far more common. FNH are usually benign and not removed unless they are causing issues. If there is a mass, then knowing its size and shape can be helpful.

I would probably hold off on the dental until you know more because of the anesthesia. Let us know what you vet says.

 

[Emmayui]

Hello Emma! I don't know anything about canine ultrasound, but I am a retired sonographer. I know that it is not uncommon to see small calcifications in the liver on older patients that are just part of the normal aging process. I don't think you should worry too much considering everything so far has checked out and hopefully it will just be nothing serious. Hope this helps a little bit!
Good luck,
Gayle (Beau's mom)

thank you! I was going through my past record and it seems like I’ll have to wait a long time to schedule something with a sonographer. I was really nervous ever since the phone call. This is my first time with now a senior dog, and I’m really hoping she can live her life peacefully without any big illness. Every dog owner’s dream isn’t it 😅 thanks again your comment gave me a huge relief. Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

 

[Emmayui]

Liver cancers can happen but they are not common. Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) are far more common. FNH are usually benign and not removed unless they are causing issues. If there is a mass, then knowing its size and shape can be helpful.

I would probably hold off on the dental until you know more because of the anesthesia. Let us know what you vet says.

thank you! I should read up on FNH when I can manage this stress a little better🥹 I’m glad to hear liver cancer is not common. Thanks so much your comment just saved me from a very dark place I was in ever since the phone call..

 

[Emmayui]

I understand how worried you are, while waiting for the next steps and results. {{{{}}}} I don't have any personal experience with or knowledge about calcification on a dog's liver. But it sounds like your veterinarian and consulting specialists are being very thorough -- although not as tactful as you would like. Since the liver processes anesthetics in the blood, it is my understanding that it is best not to do a dental if there is any concern about the liver. My vets always run blood chemistry lab work just before a dental and I'm sure would cancel the dental if there were any concerning results.

Yes, they’re thorough and my vet knows me and my dog very well. I trust her judgement but boy oh boy she’s always so busy and in hurry. she ends up speaking to me in a blunt harsh way time to time..😢

Elly did a complete blood panel last week which came back completely normal. I couldn’t process that a dog who’s in normal range for everything in the blood panel can have such thing (the big T word) in her little body. I’m trying to think if we do find something whatever that may be must be in very early stage. And Elly and I will deal with it like champs. Thanks a lot for taking your time to post something for me!

 

[Emmayui]

Hey all! I just heard back from my vet and Elly indeed has nodular hyperplasia.
My vet said she could take a sample and have it tested but with her liver enzymes being normal and all she believes that they’re benign.

We are gonna do another ultrasound of her liver in 6 months to keep track of things. And if something changes we’ll take the sample then.

I don’t know much about nodular hyperplasia, so I have a lot of reading to do from now on.

I’m so glad it was not the worst case scenario I was dreading. Those comments above you left me helped me so much while I wait for the sonographer appointment then the result. I can’t thank you enough!
I wish all the best for you guys and your loved ones.

 

[mss]

Glad to hear that it is not what you most feared! and that it is believed to be benign. Wishing you and your Elly the best!

 

[wkomorow]

I am glad you vet was able to confirm FNH. Unless it is causing issues, there is no need to do anything except to monitor it. In general FNH is associated with age, typically occurring around Elly's age of 10.

 

[Honeybunisfun]

So glad to hear that you have good news about your baby!!😀