Thursday, September 24, 2009

Lymphoma In Dogs

By Moses Wright

Canine lymphoma, also known as lymphosarcoma, is a type of cancer that affects the spleen, lymph nodes, liver, and other organs. Dog lymphoma most commonly affects dogs that are middle aged and older.

Many dog owners are concerned about dog cancer since cancer poses a serious health risk to dogs. About fifty percent of the deaths of dogs are caused by cancer. Approximately twenty-five percent of all dog deaths are cancer related.

The cause of canine lymphoma is not known. The symptoms of dog lymphoma depends on what part of the body that the is affected by the lymphoma tumors.

If only the lymph nodes are being affected by dog lymphoma, the dog may develop abnormal swelling. Lymphoma in dogs affecting the lymph nodes often causes the lymph nodes to harden which can be felt as lumps. The dog with only lymph nodes damaged by the cancer may not experience other dog cancer symptoms.

Other tumors from lymphoma may cause diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Other types of lymphoma in dogs may cause shortness of breath, lumps on the skin, or bumps in or near the mouth.

Diagnosing dog lymphoma may involve blood tests or biopsies. While diagnosing lymphoma in dogs, a veterinarian may also use x-rays or ultrasound. The severity of the dog lymphoma is classified by how many lymph nodes have been affected by the cancer and if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Canine lymphoma is classified in five different stages. In this classification system, stage I canine lymphoma is the least severe. Stage one describes lymphoma in dogs that is only affecting a single lymph node. If the dog lymphoma has spread to the bone marrow, multiple lymph nodes, and at least one organ, it is referred to as stage V dog lymphoma.

The recommended treatment for her dog lymphoma is usually chemotherapy. Dogs receive weekly injections of cancer drugs during chemotherapy treatment for dog lymphoma.

Dog lymphoma is a serious type of cancer that often causes the dog's death. On average, the dog lives four to six weeks after diagnosis if the dog does not receive chemotherapy treatment.

The dog life may be extended up to a year after diagnosis with chemotherapy treatment. Rarely, a dog may live over a year after diagnosis if it receives chemotherapy for dog lymphoma.

The dog owner should not feel guilty about the dog's medical condition. Some dog owners may be concerned that they may have done something to cause dog lymphoma. Though the causes of lymphoma in dogs are not well understood, dog lymphoma is not caused by the actions of dog owners.

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