What is Lymphoma you may ask and why we decided to write a blog about it? Well, November 7 is the National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day and we decided to educate our readers and clients about how serious it can be and what can be done to treat it.
Lymphoma is a cancer that is very common amongst dogs. It is a systemic disease which develops from lymphocytes in the immune system and spread through blood. This type of cancer affects many different organs. In most cases its present in the lymph nodes and it can be treated with systemic therapy.
Symptoms that you may notice
Symptoms in this kind of cancer, may vary for different organs. For instance, many owners bring their dogs in when they notice lumps under the skin located in or around the lymph nodes. Locations like under the chin, behind the knees or front of the shoulders.
The lumps are not the only symptom to look for but in many cases dogs get sick and may show signs like
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• weight loss
• decreased appetite
• cough
• reluctant to exercise
• increased thirst
• increased urination
Treatment for this disease is available and responsive but unfortunately there is no cure for it. It can help increase the life span of your dog but this disease cannot disappear. It is important to know that dogs who does not get a treatment for Lymphoma has a very short life span. By short we mean 1-2 months.
For treatment, in most cases chemotherapy is recommended. We know Chemotherapy sounds scary but dogs tolerate chemo much better than humans. In comparison, their doses of medication are much lower than humans to make sure that they get to live a good life throughout the treatment.
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, you should bring in your dog as soon as possible to get him/her checked. Here at Parkgate Animal & Bird Hospital, we make sure that your pet gets the help and care they need and deserve. Contact us immediately at 604.929.1863 or email us at parkgate@telus.net.
