Wilm's Tumor

Wilm's tumor is a cancerous tumor of the kidneys that occurs in animals and humans (mainly in children). Also called nephroblastoma, Wilm's tumor develops in one out of 10,000 children and is usually treated successfully with surgery and chemotherapy. It is associated with some congenital defects such as urinary tract abnormalities and enlargement of one side of the body. The tumor can become large and spread to other tissues.

Signs

The fist sign of Wilm's tumor in dogs is usually a large lump on the belly and a swollen abdomen. Some dogs can have abdominal pain, blood in the urine, or swelling in the legs.

Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, the tumor's size and the dog's general health. The most common treatment is surgery to remove the tumor and part or all of the kidney, chemotherapy, and radiation. After treatment, dogs can survive up to 25 months.