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u/glitchedO-p

▲ 2 r/PetAdvice

5yo Golden Retriever — Suspected HCC on ultrasound but amylase is 1398 IU/L. Could this be pancreatitis instead? Seeking expert input.

Looking for veterinary input on my dog Duke's reports before we proceed further.

Patient: Duke, Male Golden Retriever, 5 years old

Ultrasound findings:

  • Extensively enlarged liver, heterogeneous parenchyma
  • Multiple hyperechoic and hypoechoic lesions across both lobes
  • GB wall thickened, hepatic portal system unclear
  • Spleen moderately enlarged
  • Kidneys normal, no calculi

Impression given: Liver neoplastic changes, suspected Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Blood work (09/04/2026):

  • Hb: 12.5 (low), Platelets: 52 (critically low)
  • SGOT: 66.3, SGPT: 89.5, ALP: 590.7 (all elevated)
  • Albumin: 2.24 (low), Globulin: 5.85 (high), A/G ratio: 0.383
  • Serum Amylase: 1,398 IU/L (normal 0-90)
  • Serum Lipase: 31.6 (normal)

My questions:

  1. Can pancreatitis cause liver lesions that mimic HCC on ultrasound?
  2. Is the amylase elevation significant enough to consider pancreatitis as primary diagnosis?
  3. Should a biopsy be the definitive next step before any treatment?
  4. What does the low albumin + high globulin pattern indicate here?

No biopsy done yet. Seeking a second opinion before accepting this diagnosis.
i can send the reports

reddit.com
u/glitchedO-p — 8 hours ago
▲ 43 r/IndianPets+1 crossposts

My 5 year old Golden Duke was just told he might have liver cancer .Need second opinions on the reports.

Duke is my 5 year old male Golden Retriever. Three days ago a vet told us he suspected Hepatocellular Carcinoma based on an abdominal ultrasound. Duke is active, eating, and showing no severe symptoms.

I got his full blood work done and something doesn't add up to me:

  • Serum Amylase is 1,398 IU/L — 15x above normal. Could this be pancreatitis?
  • Platelet count critically low at 52 (normal 150-450)
  • Liver enzymes elevated (SGOT 66, SGPT 89, ALP 590)
  • Low Albumin (2.24), High Globulin (5.85)
  • Ultrasound showed multiple lesions across both liver lobes

No biopsy has been done yet. The diagnosis is still "suspected."

Has anyone's Golden gone through something similar? Did anyone get a different diagnosis after a biopsy? I'm looking for anyone who's been through this. Duke deserves every possible chance.

u/glitchedO-p — 8 hours ago
▲ 1 r/AskVet

5yo Golden Retriever — Suspected HCC on ultrasound but amylase is 1398 IU/L. Could this be pancreatitis instead? Seeking expert input.

Looking for veterinary input on my dog Duke's reports before we proceed further.

Patient: Duke, Male Golden Retriever, 5 years old

Ultrasound findings:

  • Extensively enlarged liver, heterogeneous parenchyma
  • Multiple hyperechoic and hypoechoic lesions across both lobes
  • GB wall thickened, hepatic portal system unclear
  • Spleen moderately enlarged
  • Kidneys normal, no calculi

Impression given: Liver neoplastic changes, suspected Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Blood work (09/04/2026):

  • Hb: 12.5 (low), Platelets: 52 (critically low)
  • SGOT: 66.3, SGPT: 89.5, ALP: 590.7 (all elevated)
  • Albumin: 2.24 (low), Globulin: 5.85 (high), A/G ratio: 0.383
  • Serum Amylase: 1,398 IU/L (normal 0-90)
  • Serum Lipase: 31.6 (normal)

My questions:

  1. Can pancreatitis cause liver lesions that mimic HCC on ultrasound?
  2. Is the amylase elevation significant enough to consider pancreatitis as primary diagnosis?
  3. Should a biopsy be the definitive next step before any treatment?
  4. What does the low albumin + high globulin pattern indicate here?

No biopsy done yet. Seeking a second opinion before accepting this diagnosis.
I can send the reports.

reddit.com
u/glitchedO-p — 8 hours ago