Dogs and cats are living longer than ever before. Owners are taking better care of their pets and we have more options available for the prevention and treatment of disease than we've had in the past.
As a result of longer lives certain diseases are being seen more often in dogs and
cancer is one of those diseases. In fact cancer is now the most common cause of death in dogs over the age of 10. Even at this age a cancer diagnosis does not mean the worst. Many forms of cancer are treatable and there are many different
options available in veterinary medicine.
Lymphoma is one of the more common forms of cancer in older dogs. Lymphoma involves the dog's
lymphoid system which includes white blood cells, lymph nodes and any other organ where lymphoid tissue is found like the spleen, liver and gastrointestinal tract.
The most common form, accounting for about 80% of cases, is called multicentric and is found throughout the body where ever there are lymph nodes. Owners of dogs with the multicentric form may notice swollen lymph nodes on their dogs' legs or neck area.
There is a gastrointestinal form, too, that affects the lymph tissue in the GI tract and finally there is a form found in the chest that affects the thymus gland.
The symptoms often depend on the location of the disease but with the most common form a swollen lymph node is the most common complaint. These dogs may not show any other signs. Non-specific symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite are often associated with lymphoma.
Chemotherapy is the most common treatment option and has good success rates with dogs. In some cases complete remission can be achieved but in most cases the goal is to extend the healthy life of the pet. Left untreated, Lymphoma will progress fairly rapidly in four to six weeks. With chemo, many dogs can live comfortably for a year or more and to a dog that can be a long time.
Many pet owners refuse chemotherapy treatment because they associate it with the adverse side effects so often seen with human cancer treatment. The nausea, vomiting, hair loss that people often undergo is rarely seen in dogs. Dogs tend to tolerate chemotherapy much better than people and rarely show the common human side effects. In fact, only about 5 to 10% of dogs will need hospitalization for side effects.
Chemotherapy in pets involves using several anti-cancer drugs in combination. These drugs can be administered in a number of different ways and can often be done at your local veterinarian's office. There are a variety of successful protocols or treatment plans that have been used successfully for years in veterinary medicine.
If your dog is diagnosed with Lymphoma talk with your veterinarian about the options available. Having another year of more with your family pet might be well worth it.