Dog lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes or white blood cells lymphoma in dogs. It is a common type cancer that affects the lymphatic system in dogs.
The specific symptoms are determined by the type of lymphoma in dogs. The most common type develops as lumps or swollen lymph glands on the neck, legs and shoulders. There is no pain or discomfort in the early stages. The enlarged lymph nodes are usually discovered by accident.
Other less common types of dog lymphoma affect the digestive tract, thymus glands or skin. The symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, breathing difficulty, lesions on skin and loss of appetite.
In the advanced stages of lymphoma, the general symptoms include weight loss, anemia, loss of appetite and weakness. As the lymph circulates throughout the body, other organs such as the spleen, liver and bone marrow can be affected. If left untreated, dogs with lymphoma have a life expectancy of 4-6 weeks following diagnosis lymphoma in dogs.
Dog lymphoma treatment
Lymphoma in dogs can be treated with chemotherapy, prednisone therapy and blood stem cell transplant.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the main treatment for lymphoma in dogs. With this treatment, more than 80% of dogs will go into remission for at least 12 months. The numerous chemotherapy protocols are either multi-agent or single-agent.
Multi-agent chemotherapy involves a combination of drugs given orally or by injections. It is more effective than single-agent chemotherapy and produces longer remission. However, toxicity and the risk of unwanted side effects are higher as more drugs are used. This type of chemotherapy requires greater time commitment and bigger expense lymphoma in dogs.
Single-agent chemotherapy protocol uses one chemotherapy drug. It is less toxic and costly than multi-agent chemotherapy. Any adverse side effect is attributed to the single drug, so a different drug can be used instead. As it is less effective than multi-agent chemotherapy, the first remission period is shorter, about 7 months.
The duration of remission and choice of chemotherapy protocols depend on the primary location of tumor, lymphoma stage, overall health of dog at the beginning of treatment and any changes in organ function lymphoma in dogs. Most dogs respond to chemotherapy with minimal (if any) side effects. The common side effects are nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, tiredness, hair loss and slow hair growth. Serious side effects are rare and only seen in 5-10% of dogs lymphoma in dogs.
Prednisone therapy
Lymphoma in dogs can be treated with prednisone (corticosteroid) where chemotherapy is not recommended. Chemotherapy can be costly, so some pet owners choose prednisone therapy instead. Dogs given prednisone experience significant improvement in the short term and can lead a more comfortable life lymphoma in dogs. Although sick, they eat, move and feel better while undergoing prednisone therapy.
Although prednisone therapy is inexpensive, it is not as effective as chemotherapy. Remission is short, about 2-3 months with possible side effects. Prednisone therapy should not be carried out prior to chemotherapy as it reduces the effectiveness of the latter.
Blood stem cell transplant
Stem cells are harvested from bone marrow. Only stem cells that are free from cancer are reintroduced into the dog after it has undergone total body radiation to kill of remaining cancer cells in the body lymphoma in dogs.
Although this treatment raises the survival rate significantly, it is very expensive.
Your vet can advise you on the most suitable lymphoma treatment for your dog. You want to consider the costs, time commitment, life span and your dog’s comfort in deciding whether to proceed with treatment lymphoma in dogs.
There are many types of cancer with many possible causes, and there are important genetic factors as well. With lymphoma in dogs, a biopsy of affected lymph nodes or organs confirms the diagnosis. A needle aspiration of an affected lymph node may also be necessary. X-rays, ultrasound, blood analysis, and bone marrow biopsy can reveal other locations of the cancer. The stage of the disease is important to treatment and prognosis lymphoma in dogs.
Lymphoma in dogs starts with one or a small group of cells that have “gone wrong”. There is no way to verify cause. It is best to concentrate on treatment. Focus on a realistic outcome which is longest possible survival with good quality life lymphoma in dogs. If lymphoma in dogs is diagnosed early, immune modulation usually assures the greatest chance of remission, and the best chance the cancer does not reoccur. About 50% of dogs with lymphoma can be put into remission; untreated, average life expectancy is about 2 months from the time of diagnosis.
Ask your veterinarian for a referral.
If your dog could speak, it would tell you of the hope that you will open your mind to what decades of research and clinical experience has taught us about chemotherapy lymphoma in dogs. It is crucial to work with a veterinarian oncologist to achieve maximum effectiveness in your canine’s treatment! Treatment for dogs with lymphoma is a combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, L-asparaginase, doxorubicin, and diet. Other chemotherapy drugs such as chlorambucil, lomustine, cytosine arabinoside, and mitoxantrone are sometimes used. With chemotherapy for lymphoma, nausea or infections are possibilities but most dogs do not experience any such complications. Only 7% of patients require hospitalization due to side effects lymphoma in dogs. The bottom line here is to know that dogs rarely get sick from chemotherapy. The information on this is changing daily so allow a specialist to present you with all the options.
Many experts believe diet is the main reason for lymphoma in dogs.
Many dogs are fed a diet that is based mostly around grain. However, none of the dog family feeds on grains in the wild — not wolves, coyotes, dingos, or hyenas, none of them. Dogs do not have the necessary enzymes to digest or utilize grain in their diet. They are basically carnivores. When you feed a carnivore a diet based on grain, they will develop various immune dysfunctions, including cancer lymphoma in dogs.
Diet is an important part in treating a dog with lymphoma. In fact, dogs rarely die of cancer. They usually succumb to secondary liver or kidney failure. These are cancer side effects that can usually be avoided by controlling the diet. Fish oil and the amino acid arginine, when added to the diet, help produce higher blood levels of two fatty acids called C20:5 and C22:6 in dogs with lymphoma. These two fatty acids seem particularly effective in fighting the disease, increasing survival time, increasing remission periods, and increasing period of time before disease reoccurred.
Just because the food is expensive, do not assume it is good.
Add canned sardines (excellent source), cottage cheese, eggs and just about any kind of meat such as hamburger or ground turkey. High fat content is good. Some veterinarians advocate a raw diet, while some say it should be cooked. More important than cooked or raw is the amount of animal-based protein and fats. Make sure the first ingredient is meat. If the first ingredient is corn meal, rice, or wheat, choose another brand.
Dogs with lymphoma are easily treated but, as with humans, their cancer tends to return. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, like those found in fish oil, may help prevent the growth and spread of cancer tumors, and may help prevent weight loss and muscle wasting. Arginine supplements have been reported to improve immune responses, and might help the body fight cancer lymphoma in dogs.
The information provided here is not intended to substitute for the advice of a professional. Discuss all forms of treatment with your veterinarian lymphoma in dogs.