Primary kidney tumors are uncommon in dogs, but most of those that occur are malignant, and many have spread by the time they are found. Renal carcinoma is the most common type, followed by sarcomas, with nephroblastoma in young dogs. Two patterns are worth memorising for the exam: the German Shepherd with bilateral kidney tumors and skin nodules, and renal lymphoma, the one kidney tumor treated with chemotherapy rather than surgery.
Key facts
Kidney tumor at a glance- Species and system: dogs; urinary system.
- Tumor mix: in 82 dogs with primary renal tumors, 60% were carcinomas, 34% sarcomas and 6% nephroblastomas.
- Classic presentation: middle-aged to older medium or large dog with weight loss, inappetence, lethargy, hematuria and a palpable abdominal mass.
- Breed syndrome: German Shepherd Dogs with renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis (RCND), an autosomal dominant FLCN (BHD) mutation.
- Treatment: nephroureterectomy for most tumors; combination chemotherapy for lymphoma.
- Zoonotic or reportable: neither.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention and control
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 17 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.