LAUSR

Primary hepatic tumours constitute 0.6-1.3% of all tumours in dogs and 1.0-2.3% in cats. These neoplasms may originate in hepatic cells or bile ducts. Less frequently, they arise from neuroendocrine and mesenchymal tissue. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed type of hepatic cancer, constituting 50% of primary tumours of this organ. Canine hepatic cancer is most often diagnosed in geriatric patients (mean age of 10-11 years), regardless of pedigree and gender. These tumours may exhibit a varied histopathological picture. They often occur in the form of a single tumour, in most cases confined to one hepatic lobe. They can also take a multinodular form characterised with the presence of multiple nodules spread over several hepatic lobes. The third form are infiltrating tumours involving several hepatic lobes. The clinical symptoms associated with hepatic cancer are usually non-specific. In about 25% of dogs, physical examination does not reveal any irregularities and the only indication for the organ imaging is the detection of increased serum hepatic enzyme activity. If clinical symptoms do appear it means that either the liver parenchyma or bile ducts have been damaged. This is manifested by loss of appetite, vomiting or diarEffectiveness of capsaicin containing dried habanero pepper extract in the treatment of primary hepatic cancer in geriatric dogs