Canine Lymphoma And What A Dog Owner Should Know About It
Lymphoma is a fast-growing cancer that attacks the lymph tissue, present in virtually every organ in the body. It is the most common form of canine cancer in the US, and can be very aggressive. Left untreated, lymphoma in dogs is almost always terminal.
Common Symptoms of Canine Lymphoma
The two most common forms of lymphoma are gastrointestinal and respiratory, while the disease can also attack the central nervous system, heart, eyes, skin and bone marrow. The symptoms you see will depend on the organs being attacked. In the case of respiratory lymphoma the dog will be constantly short of breath, and the heart beat will be muffled. With gastrointestinal lymphoma you’ll notice a loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea.
Diagnosing Lymphoma
If your dog displays any of the symptoms mentioned above it is vital that you seek veterinary help right away.The initial diagnosis will be in the form of a biopsy of the affected lymph nodes or organs. In addition, the vet may do further tests to determine how far the disease has advanced. These may include a bone marrow biopsy, x-rays, ultrasound and blood analysis.
Untreated dogs usually die within 2 months of the initial diagnosis, so it is important to start treatment immediately if the dog is to have any chance of survival.
Treatment of Lymphoma
As with humans, the primary treatment treatment for lymphoma in dogs is chemotherapy. This creates similar side-effects to those sufffered by humans too. The dog will likely suffer severe nausea and infections, and in severe cases may have to remain in hospital for the duration of treatment. If the lymphoma has spread significantly by the time it is first diagnosed then the effectiveness of chemo is significantly reduced, and it may not hold any benefit at all. In this case the dog will be prescribed medication to make his remaining time as comfortable as possible.
There is a school of though that suggests that fatty acids, like those found in fish oil, can retard the spread of cancer cells, but there is no actual clinical proof to support this idea.
However, recent studies suggest that in most cases the dog does not die from the lymphoma itself, but rather from liver or kidney failure. Changes to the dog’s diet can certainly have an impact on the health of these organs.
Chances of a Dog Surviving Lymphoma
In many cases where there is early diagnosis, chemotherapy can have a beneficial effect, adding months, if not years to the dog’s life.
Unfortunately, though, lymphoma is a disease with a high rate of recurrence. In these cases, a second round of chemotherapy may be administered, but you should be aware that it will not be as effective as the initial dose.
Bear in mind that chemotherapy is a very expensive treatment. If you don’t already have pet health insurance, I would strongly suggest that you take out a policy. The last thing you want is to be unable to afford the best medical care for your dog.
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