Case Presentation:
A 9 year old female spayed maltese presented for lack of appetite, weight loss and tremendously enlarged belly. She was also lethargic with reluctance to walk or jump.
Her examination showed a firm, pendulous abdomen with extreme muscle and fat loss over the remainder of her body. She was extremely weak and lethargic.
Diagnostics:
Imaging and labwork were performed to determine the source of the symptoms. A baseball-sized mass was identified in the abdomen, attached to either the liver or spleen.
Treatment:
Exploratory surgery was scheduled the same week to remove the mass. The mass originated from the liver so a liver lobectomy was performed. The mass weighed over 3.5 pounds and was submitted to the lab for analysis.
Outcome:
The patient returned after a week for a post-operative follow up and had gained 2 pounds. The owner reported she was incredibly active, eating a tremendous amount and felt like a new dog.
