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Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 758-2200
24/7 Emergency Care
Bellingham, WA 98226
24/7 Emergency Care
Flash Howard, a 10-year-old Gordon Setter, was referred to Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital for evaluation of a large liver tumor initially considered non-resectable (not safely removable with surgery). After consultation with Dr. Milan Milovancev and collaboration with a mobile oncologist, his family elected to pursue surgery despite significant risks.
Patient Details
Service
Quick Facts
Flash’s case highlights how early detection, collaboration, and advanced surgical expertise can create options—even when initial recommendations seem final.
Flash’s condition was discovered incidentally during a routine senior wellness exam (a preventive check-up for older pets). Despite appearing outwardly healthy, routine bloodwork revealed dramatically elevated liver enzymes (far above normal levels, indicating liver stress or damage), prompting immediate follow-up diagnostics.
“He was a super, super healthy dog until this came up. We had no idea anything was wrong—he was hiding it and just being his normal self. Then suddenly, his liver enzymes were through the sky, and that’s when we knew something wasn’t right.”
Follow-up diagnostics—including ultrasound (imaging using sound waves), CT scan (advanced 3D imaging), and chest X-rays—identified a large liver mass (abnormal growth). Initially, surgeons at another facility determined the tumor was too close to the vena cava (a major vein carrying blood to the heart) to safely remove.
In hindsight, discomfort was only noted during examination when pressure on his abdomen caused pain.
A trial chemotherapy drug (medication used to treat cancer) was attempted, but Flash developed severe pancreatitis (painful inflammation of the pancreas) and became critically ill.
“He made it about a week on the medication, and then he just got really sick. At that point, we knew we were running out of options—it was either try something more aggressive or watch him decline.”
As the situation progressed, the urgency became clear.
“It was either try—or watch him die. We were between a rock and a hard place.”
Flash was diagnosed with a large hepatic tumor (a tumor located in the liver), suspected to be malignant (cancerous) based on imaging and clinical progression.
Diagnostics Performed
Differential Diagnoses (possible conditions considered)
Given the tumor’s proximity to major vascular structures (critical blood vessels), it was initially classified as non-resectable.
“This wasn’t really a question of cancer—it was a question of space. The tumor was so big, and because of where it was located, it made surgery incredibly difficult.”
After review by Dr. Milovancev and collaboration with the oncology team, surgery was reconsidered as a viable option.
Final Diagnosis
Post-operative histopathology (microscopic examination of the tumor) confirmed complete removal with clean margins, meaning no cancer cells were detected at the edges—supporting a favorable prognosis.
Flash underwent a complex and high-risk liver tumor resection (surgical removal of part of the liver) performed by Dr. Milovancev. 
Pre-Operative Care
“Dr. Milan came in, reviewed everything, and said, ‘I think I can do this.’ That gave us hope—because without surgery, we were just going to watch him die.”
Surgical Procedure
The surgery was technically demanding due to the tumor’s location near major blood vessels.
“He told us afterward that at one point he thought, ‘Maybe I can’t do this,’ but then he kept going—and thank God he did.”
Ultimately, the tumor was successfully removed.
Post-Operative Care
Flash required intensive care, including:
Post-operatively, he experienced internal bleeding, requiring close monitoring and extended hospitalization.
“When we first heard back, it was, ‘He’s alive… but he has internal bleeding.’ That was a tough moment. But what we appreciated was the honesty—he told us, ‘I don’t know why this happened,’ and we respected that.”
At home, recovery included:
“He just accepted everything—even the cone—and within a couple of weeks, he was up and moving around again.”
Flash made a remarkable recovery.
Within two weeks, he was walking comfortably, regaining weight, and returning to his normal behavior.
“He started eating like a son of a gun, gained his weight back, and now he’s back to his normal self—feeling great and loving life.”
Follow-Up & Prognosis
Owner Perspective
“I remember looking at him and saying, ‘Just one more day.’ That one more day turned into many more. We know it’s not a miracle—but it feels close. He’s just an elegant old gentleman, and having this time with him means everything to us.”
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