How to detect hidden internal cancer in dogs without surgery?

Question

Is it possible to know when there are metastases? My GSD has every angle of xrays done (all clear) blood tests but on exploratory surgery unexpectedly the found cancer on liver I think and spleen so she was put to sleep. My question is can this be known without opening the pet for sure? As in her case it was difficult to discover. My lab has growth and they suspect cancer by feeling her abdomen mammary growths. Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed

Dr. Strydom, DVM · Accepted Answer

No, it cannot always be found prior to surgery. X-rays usually only pick up large masses. Abdominal ultrasound is more sensitive in picking up smaller masses but it is not 100%. No diagnostic tool is. Splenic hemangiosarcoma is unfortunately very common in GSD. I'm very sorry this happened to Gigi. As for your Lab, if she has tumors on her mammary glands then they are cancer - whether benign or malignant you can't know for sure without a biopsy. From the photo it looks pretty significant. If she is not spayed then there is a pretty good chance they are malignant. This is why we alway recommend spaying dogs if they are not going to be used for breeding. If you spay a dog prior to their first heat cycle (about 6 - 8 months of age) then the chance of them getting mammary cancer later in life is almost zero. Every heat cycle they go through increases their chances of mammary cancer exponentially.

How to detect hidden internal cancer in dogs without surgery?

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