http://www.smartgroups.com/message/readmessage.cfm?gid=1423922&messageid=1018
 
Yes the kidney can have cancer.  Kidney (renal) cancer is rare, but they
are usually very large in size.  In my experience most are renal
carcinomas (ie bad news).  I had one like you described where I thought
it was a very large adrenal gland, only to find out it was the enlarged
kidney that I was palpating.  Unfortunately renal carcinomas can spread
to other organs such as the lungs.  Lymphoma can also spread to the
kidneys.  With an enlarged spleen, lymphoma is a good possibility.
 
As for the blood substitute (Oxyglobin), it is a cow based product, but
it is safe to use in dogs, cats, and ferrets (birds, reptiles, and many
zoo species too).  Hopefully the pathology report will give you some good
news and a good prognosis for Griffin.
 
Jerry Murray, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3898]