Lymphoma Causes

Dog lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes or white blood cells. It is a mutual type cancer that affects the lymphatic scheme in dogs.

Lymphoma sensations or changes in dogs

The specific sensations or changes are determined by the type of lymphoma in dogs. The most mutual type gives rise to as lumps or swollen lymph glands on the neck, legs and shoulders. There is no pain or uneasiness in the early stages. The enlarged lymph nodes are commonly came upon by accident.

Other less mutual types of dog lymphoma affect the digestive tract, thymus glands or skin. The sensations or changes include vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, breathing difficulty, lesions on skin and loss of appetite.

In the modern stages of lymphoma, the frequent sensations or changes include weight loss, anemia, loss of appetite and weakness. As the lymph circulates all around the body, other organs such as the spleen, liver and bone marrow may be affected. If left untreated, dogs with lymphoma have a life expectancy of 4-6 weeks following diagnosis.

Dog lymphoma treatment

Lymphoma in dogs may 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 some chemotherapy protocols are either multi-agent or single-agent.

Multi-agent chemotherapy involves a combining of drugs given orally or by injections. It is more effective than single-agent chemotherapy and gives rise to longer remission. However, toxicity and the risk of not wanted side effects are higher as more drugs are used. This type of chemotherapy requires more outstanding time dedication and more prominent expense.

Single-agent chemotherapy protocol uses one chemotherapy drug. It is less toxic and pricey than multi-agent chemotherapy. Any averse side effect is attributed to the single drug, so a dissimilar drug may be used instead. As it is less effective than multi-agent chemotherapy, the basi remission amount of time is shorter, when it comes to 7 months.

The duration of remission and choice of chemotherapy protocols depend on the essential emplacement of tumor, lymphoma stage, overall health of dog at the beginning of treatment and any changes in organ function. Most dogs respond to chemotherapy with minimal (if any) side effects. The mutual 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.

Prednisone therapy

Lymphoma in dogs may be treated with prednisone (corticosteroid) where chemotherapy is not recommended. Chemotherapy may be costly, so a heap of pet owners choose prednisone therapy instead. Dogs given prednisone experience substantial betterment in the short term and may lead a more comfortable life. 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, with regards to 2-3 months with possible side effects. Prednisone therapy will have to 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.

Although this treatment raises the survival rate significantly, it is very expensive.

Your vet may 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 ease in settling whether to proceed with treatment.