David Barker MRCVS, a soft tissue surgeon at Paragon Veterinary Referrals in Wakefield, has removed a whopping 5kg tumour from a four-year-old Dalmatian called Penny. 

David, who was assisted by Dan Kenny and Kat Grzywa MsRCVS, said: “Penny presented with suspected ascites, given a large volume of peritoneal effusion. Her abdomen was very swollen and taut

“We performed a contrast-enhanced CT scan with an iodine-based contrast to help highlight the areas of the body we needed to examine and the results were startling. 

“The mass was enormous. It almost completely filled the abdomen.” 

CT images showed that the mass had originated in the right kidney, which had been displaced into the left side of the abdomen, and also compressed the rest of Penny’s internal organs.

There was no evidence of metastatic disease. 

David added: “A right ureteronephrectomy was performed and the large cystic parts of the tumour were dissected free from the omentum, the peritoneum and the retroperitoneal vasculature.

“The surgery was really difficult because the mass was so large and heavy, and it required extra surgeons to hold and manipulate the mass, while its vasculature was dissected and ligated. 

“The weight of the mass on the diaphragm also made the anaesthesia challenging but surgery went very well.

"Once the surgery was over, the weight of the mass was confirmed at nearly 5kg. 

“Penny made a good recovery from the anaesthesia, her blood renal parameters remained normal throughout her recovery, and she was discharged 48 hours later. Histopathology later confirmed the mass to be renal carcinoma.”

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vets.