Size: This mass (lobe of the liver) measured 6½ inches long, 5 inches wide, and 2½ inches thick. It weighed 1.2 pounds.

Gross: Liver lobe appears grossly cystic. Hundreds of cystic nodules present containing fluid. No viable liver tissue seen.

Fluid in cysts: Clear, specific gravity of 1.011, no cells seen, and a few clumps of disintegrating liver cells. A scraping of part of the tissue between the cystic capsules revealed a few liver cells with a very small, pale staining nucleus and cytoplasm (using new methylene blue stain), and had small amounts of fat/oil droplets within these cells.

Microscopic: (from Histology Report) “Sections revealed normal architecture effaced by a collection of dilated and intercommunicating, cystic ductular structures. The ducts are lined by a single layer of bile duct cuboidal epithelium and contain a fibrous stroma. No evidence of malignancy is seen.”

Diagnosis: (from Histology Report) “Liver: Regionally extensive bile duct cystadenoma.”

Comment: (from Histology Report) “No normal hepatic tissue is seen in the submitted tissues.”

In my 29 years of practicing veterinary medicine, I have never seen a liver lobe like this. Not only was the multiple cystic structure enormous, but it caused the destruction of 99% of the liver cells in that lobe. The possible reason for the incision areas not healing properly and the rejection of the suture material would be a malfunctioning liver. The pale staining nucleus and cytoplasm of the liver cells seen in the scraping of the tissue indicates a malfunctioning liver cell that is not able to handle its normal metabolic functions. The fat/oil droplets are also indicative of a sick liver cell. It appears as if some toxin caused this condition because there was no evidence of infection (no cells indicating infection were found in the liver lobe or fluid). A bile duct cystadenoma means a tumor structure made of glandular-like tissue (in this case bile duct tissue) is secreting a serous fluid and contains multiple cystic structures. Etiology is unknown. All other tissues in the abdomen visually appeared normal at the time of the exploratory, which to me means the toxin is liver specific in its actions.

Recent changes in Cisco’s life:

Cisco’s owner started using “Young Living” essential oils on herself approximately 6 months ago and on Cisco 3 months ago. The owner was told that using a drop or two of essential oil on the cat’s spine or paw would be beneficial. Essential oils, diluted in a vegetable oil, were applied to Cisco’s spine and paws, and he was allowed to sniff many essential oils directly from the bottles. Additionally, the owner also used essential oils on herself and diffused them around the house. At the time, the owner noted no visible effects in Cisco after he sniffed the essential oils or had the oils applied to him. However, she did notice that Cisco intermittently had problems walking for several weeks, but thought he probably had arthritis or a similar problem. Approximately a dozen different essential oils or essential oil blends were used on or around Cisco during the 3 months prior to the discovery of his liver tumor. Since the surgery, the owner says, “I do not use any oils anymore!”

Essential Oils and Essential Oil blends used on and around Cisco, include:

The “Essential 7” (Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint, “Purification,” “PanAway,” “Joy,” and “Calming”) were diffused

“Valor,” “Forgiveness,” “Acceptance,” and other essential oils were held up to him to be sniffed from the bottle approximately 2 to 3 times a week for 3 months.

Lavender was applied on his spine and paws a total of 6 or 7 times (for calming).

“Thieves” was applied to his paw a total of 2 or 3 times (to build his immune system).

Pictures of the Liver: Click HERE