Another Name: chemodectomas

Disease Description: A cancer that arises from a small organ at the base of the aorta, near the heart.

Inherit Mode: -

Disease Symptom: Heart tumors in general can cause varied clinical symptoms depending on their size, location and whether they ruptured and caused internal bleeding. The observed clinical symptoms are typically seen due to the obstruction of blood flow into or out of the heart, interference with effective pumping of the blood and/or disruption of normal heart beat. The heart is enclosed in a sac called the pericardium and aortic body tumors have been shown to cause bleeding into the sac (referred to as pericardial effusion), and when the blood overfills the sac (referred to as cardiac tamponade), the heart's function may be compromised. The most common signs in animals with heart tumors include fainting, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, weight loss and general weakness, which can range from subtle to severe.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: Diagnosis of an aortic body tumor typically involves evaluating the pet's history, clinical signs, physical examination, and several other tests such as complete blood cell count, biochemical profile, urinalysis, electrocardiogram, chest and abdominal X-rays, and chest and abdominal ultrasound examination. The blood and urine tests are done to evaluate if the pet has any concurrent medical condition, but will not specifically detect the presence of an aortic body tumor. Electrocardiogram analysis (an instrument that records the electrical activity of the heart over time; commonly known as EKG or ECG) evaluates the heart's function and may detect some abnormalities. The chest and abdominal X-rays/ultrasound will help to evaluate the extent of the disease as well as whether the tumor has spread to other organs. Recently, more advanced imaging techniques such as CT scans are being used in evaluating the pet's condition, especially when determining if the tumor can be surgically removed.

Treat Method: Surgical removal of the aortic body tumors is the treatment of choice, but the location and characteristics of these tumors make surgery difficult. Radiation therapy has been used in a limited number of cases, but its benefit in terms of overall survival is not yet known.

Breeder Advice: -

Disease Description Source: Link