- Common Disease Name:
- Cancer
- Medical Term for Disease:
- Lymphosarcoma, Malignant Lymphoma
- Species Affected by Disease:
- Dogs
- Age Animal Usually Affected:
- Usually 5-10 years old
- Commonly Affected Breeds:
- Any, but reported high risk breeds are the Boxer, Basset Hound, Golden Retriever, Saint Bernard, Scottish Terrier, Airedale Terrier, and Bulldog
- Sex Usually Affected:
- Both
- Disease Symptoms:
- Depending on where the cancer is growing, symptoms can be vague to specific- lethargy, loss of appetite, generalized, painless, irregular, movable, large lymph node(s), marked weight loss, palpable abdominal mass-muffled heart sounds, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, changes in the eyes, kidney failure and others.
- Disease Causes:
- Growth of cancerous white cells called lymphocytes in solid tissues in the body,
primarily in lymph nodes, bone marrow, and abdominal organs. - Treatment:
- Surgery is usually not an option when the cancer had infiltrated multiple organs and sites. Chemotherapy is not always curative - relapse usually occurs. The side effects of chemotherapy drugs depend on the type used, though most will have a 70-80% response rate. Most dogs have a low white count by day 7-10. Quality of life is good while the patient is receiving chemotherapy and while in remission.
- Prognosis:
- Average survival time in dogs treated with combination chemotherapy or doxorubicin is 6-12 months. Some other chemotherapies have reported better survival rates.
- Complications:
- Chemotherapy tends to be fairly well tolerated by dogs. Problems with bone marrow suppression, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea can occur.
- Prevention:
- None
- Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
- Chemotherapeutic drugs. Veterinary oncologists are usually consulted.
