244 DISEASES OF THE LIVER 



the disease there is often ascites, enlargement of the spleen, 

 and eventually general cachexia. 



Diagnosis. In animals a diagnosis is very difficult. The 

 condition is usually first noted on postmortem examination. 

 An explorative laparotomy in the dog is recommendable. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is unfavorable owing to the 

 changes which have developed in the structure of the liver. 



Treatment. Dietetic. Small quantities of easily digested 

 food (raw, lean meat, milk, etc.) should be given to sustain 

 the condition of the animal. 



Medical. Salines (magnesium sulphate, dog 8.0-12.0) are 

 indicated to produce a laxative action. 



Should ascites be present diuretics are indicated to assist 

 in the removal of the fluid from the abdominal cavity. 



Surgical. Thoracentesis abdominis is indicated. (See 

 Ascites.) 



NEOPLASMS OF THE LIVER. 



Tumors of the liver are not very common, except second- 

 ary to malignant growths in other organs. These consist 

 mainly of carcinomas and sarcomas, which have become 

 generalized (carcinomatosis and sarcomatosis) . Benign 

 tumors are occasionally met with, viz.: Adenomas and 

 angiomas. 



Symptoms. Tumors of the liver are difficult to recognize 

 during life, and only in those cases where they become very 

 large, producing distention of the abdomen, will they be 

 recognizable. Palpation, when done carefully, will often 

 reveal the tumor which will be freely movable in the cavity. 

 If the tumor is malignant (sarcoma and carcinoma) it will 

 lead to symptoms of anemia and cachexia. An accurate 

 diagnosis can only be made after laparotomy. 



Treatment. When malignant tumors are found, no treat- 

 ment is of value. Benign tumors may be removed by 

 carefully ligating all vessels, and preferably removing an 

 entire lobe of the liver where affected. Hemorrhage is 

 usually severe when the tissue of the liver is incised. There- 

 fore operations on the liver are always considered serious. 



