Liver biopsy????

[staceypal]

Anyone had a liver biospy done on their dog?   Just curious as to how the surgery went and recovery???

Thanks :)

[ginger899]

Bump!

[ginger899]

Don't be afraid if she has to lose a small piece of her liver. The liver is one organ that can do very well indeed after a piece has been removed, unlike many organs. It can heal, and function perfectly well after.

[Ghilly]

There ARE a couple of different ways to do a liver biopsy, the one I mentioned is called a percutaneous liver biopsy.  There is also a laparoscopic liver biopsy, where there IS a tiny incision, but it's still only about 1/4" long.  Depending on how state-of-the-art your vet is, I suppose they MAY still do an actual surgery, but to the best of my knowledge, most animal hospitals have been using these other two methods for over a decade now.  If they are planning to do an actual surgery, if it were me, I think I'd probably look for another hospital that could do a less invasive biopsy, but that is a matter of personal preference.

Ghilly

[ginger899]

Maybe you mean an "incisional biopsy" (I think it's called) where they actually surgically remove a small piece of the liver. Does your girl have a liver tumor? In which case they will probably be removing it, and the small area surrounding it. Then they will send it to the lab. to be analyzed.

It always is a nerve-wracking time when your dog or any pet is scheduled for surgery. I know. Mine had surgery about a month ago, and has to have another probably next week. I am always nervous....can't help it.
But my vet said to me that anesthetics are MUCH much safer than they used to be, and there is all sorts of support for your dog while in surgery, with a dedicated surgical team.
They also do (or should do) a physical exam, and bloodwork beforehand, to be 100% certain that any possible risks are avoided or minimized before the procedure. If in their view, the dog isn't fit for surgery, then it is not proceeded with, and will be postponed.

So be brave. Good luck for tomorrow, and speedy recovery for your dog.

[staceypal]

Maybe I misunderstood the vet.   She told me, that it pretty much was the same incision as a female dog being spayed. ??

Is there more than one way of doing this biopsy?  

Thank you for your help :)   My dog is having this procedure done tomorrow & I'm a nervous wreck.  

[Ghilly]

I had a liver biopsy done on one of my cats about 15 years ago.  It's not actual surgery, they simply go in with a biopsy punch, which is like a large-bore needle and they put the punch into the liver.  A tiny piece of the liver stays inside the punch, much as when you put a straw down into a very thick milkshake, the way the milkshake stays in the straw when you remove it from the cup.  They then take that little piece of the liver and use it for their tests.

There is no incision to worry about, and the animal doesn't act really any different than normal.  Your vet will instruct you as to how or if he wants you to restrict your dog's activities.  Please come back and let us know how it goes.

Ghilly