Canine malignant lymphoma (also known as canine lymphosarcoma) refers to a tumor made up of lymphoid tissues. Approximately 5% to 7% of all tumors found in dogs are these types of tumors. Lymphoma in dogs is seen at a higher incidence in dogs between the ages of 5 and 12. Breeds were this problem is seen more often include Golden Retrievers, Scottish Terriers, German Shepherds, Fox Terriers, Cocker Spaniels and Boxers.
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Canine Lymphoma Symptoms
Multiple symptoms are associated with lymphoma in dogs. The most pronounced symptom is enlarged lymph nodes (called peripheral lymphadenopathy). Other symptoms include
- Heart Problems (anterior mediastinal which is a mass near the heart)
- Skin and Skin Membrane issues (mucocutaneous) – early signs of disease include eye, nasal and oral skin lesions such as a large pink spot on the lower or upper lip.
Renal Problems (mass near the kidneys) Eye Problems
- Eye inflammation (anterior uveitis)
- Puss in the eye (hypopyon)
- Dog eye hemorrhage (bleeding)
- White blood cells normally not seen in a dog eye (infiltrate)
Spleen Problems Dog liver problems Bone Marrow problems
Diagnosis of Canine Malignant Lymphoma
Based on the presence of the aforementioned symptoms, your veterinarian will conduct additional tests including testing of cells taken from the body using a fast method. If lymphoma is thought to be present, then a biopsy (taking a tissue sample) will be performed. The cells taken will be checked for the presence of abnormal formations of cells called lymphocytes.
Your veterinarian will work to determine the stage or how developed the canine lymphoma has become. The stage will indicate the type of treatment that is needed. In order to determine the stage, your veterinarian will need x-rays of your dogs abdomen and chest (thorax). Blood tests will also be needed to get an estimate of platelets, calcium, and protein levels. In rare cases, dog lymphoma causes a condition called canine hypercalcemia, where there are abnormal levels of calcium in the dog blood.
Prognosis for Canine Malignant Lymphoma
It is difficult to determine how long a dog will live that is being treated for lymphoma as different research reports have a wide range of conclusions. In general, dogs who are diagnosed with stage 4 or 5 lymphoma, will not live as long as those that have stage 1, 2 or 3. Dogs that are diagnosed with hypercalcemia, also have shorter survival times.
Dogs that are not treated, tend to only live 6 weeks on average after diagnosis. If you decide not to use conventional treatments for lymphoma in dogs, you might want to try a supportive therapy such as C-Caps, as mentioned toward the bottom of this page.
Conventional Treatment For Canine Malignant Lymphoma
Chemotherapy is the most commonly selected treatment option for dog lymphoma, followed by immunotherapy (suppressing the way the immune system responds to the disease). Chemotherapy could extend a dogs live approximately 6 to 10 months, while maintaining the dog’s quality of life. Treatments are usually applied every 3 weeks using a medication called Adriamycin. 81% of dogs on this treatment protocol achieved complete remission or partial remission for 9 months. Remission refers to a state where the canine lymphoma symptoms are reduced or stop getting worse.
Approximately 90% of dogs will respond will to lymphoma therapy, making this one of the best forms of cancer to treat. Be aware that therapy can be expensive. Because of this, a lower cost treatment method, prednisone is sometimes used with other medications. Prednisone can help a dog live an additional 2 months with 1/3 of dogs going into complete remission, 1/3 achieving partial remission and 1/3 showing no response to the treatment.
Often a combination of treatment approaches are used with dogs started on Adriamycin, followed by a treatment approach called COP which is an acronym for three different medications (cyclophosphamide, Oncovin, prednisone). COP alone puts approximately 75% of dog lymphoma into remission. 20% of dogs will go into remission for 1 year with the COP approach.
When adriamycin is used with COP (called COPA), canine malignant lymphoma remission times tend to be longer ( 6 mo vs. 7 months). 84% of dogs will go into complete remission, 7% with partial dog lymphoma remission. 22% of dogs on the COPA protocol for lymphoma in dogs achieve remission for a year.
Canine Malignant Lymphoma Treatment Side Effects
Dogs tend to handle chemotherapy well and often do not get the ill feeling that is common in humans. Hair loss is rare and usually is only seen in Poodles, Schnauzers and Old English Sheepdogs or other dogs that need constant grooming. The most common canine chemotherapy symptom is whisker loss. Other symptoms include dog upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting and appetite loss.
In rare cases (less than 10%), adriamycin can lead to heart problems.
Predisone also has potential side effects including increased thirst/drinking of water, frequent urination, panting and an increased appetite.
Holistic Treatment of Canine Malignant Lymphoma
In addition to the COPA approach mentioned above, a dog may benefit from a natural remedy as part of their diet during recovery. Natural remedies are not a cure for lymphoma in dogs, but can help strengthen healthy cells, boost the immune system, reduce the impact of symptoms and help speed toward recovery. The ingredients listed below in addition to the aforementioned properties can also help to boost energy levels and maintain a dog’s appetite during this critical time.
Homeopathic products such as C-Caps contain ingredients that have a growing body of clinical support:
- Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceous): herbal remedy known to support the immune system. Researches are studying this product for its effect on immuno-supportive polysaccharides and other active ingredients useful in supporting a healthy immune system. (Wang DC. “Influence of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) polysaccharide FB on immunologic function of human periphery blood lymphocyte”. Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi 1989;11:180-183).
- Mistletoe (Viscum album): helpful to maintain normal blood pressure levels. Recent research showed a link between this element and the immune system (Hajto T, Hostanska K, Fischer J, Saller R. “Immunomodulatory effects of Viscum album agglutinin-I on natural immunity”. Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland. PMID: 9179367).
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): thought to help the immune system with over 500 studies completed on this ingredient (Barrett BP, Brown RL, Locken K, et al. “Treatment of the common cold with unrefined Echinacea: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial”. Ann Intern Med 2002; Dec 17, 137(12):939-946)
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): helpful for the blood and the immune system ((Davis L, Kuttan G. “Immunomodulatory activity of Withania somnifera”. J Ethnopharmacol 2000; 71:193-200.)
- Milk Thistle (Sylibum marianus): contains silymarin, which is an anti-oxidant, which helps the liver function, the organ which helps cleanse the body of toxins (Pares A, Planas R, Torres M, et al. “Effects of silymarin in alcoholic patients with cirrhosis of the liver: results of a controlled, double-blind, randomized and multicenter trial.” J Hepatol 1998; 28(4):615-621.)(Benda L, Dittrich H, Ferenzi P, et al.”The influence of therapy with silymarin on the survival rate of patients with liver cirrhosis (author’s transl)”. Wien Klin Wochenschr 1980; 92(19):678-683.)
- Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tormentosa): ancient remedy use to boost the immune system and support cells in your dog’s body that are still healthy (Rizzi, R., Re, F., Bianchi, A., De, Feo, V, De Simone, F., Bianchi, L., and Stivala, L. A. “Mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of Uncaria tomentosa and its extracts.” J.Ethnopharmacol. 1993;38(1):63-77)
To learn more about canine malignant lymphoma and natural remedies that can complement specific treatments mentioned above such as chemotherapy, you can visit the C-Caps manufacturers site. Of course, consult your veterinarian before giving a dog that is undergoing treatment remedies of any kind. In general, natural remedies are safe to use and based on the available evidence, can be of some help.
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References for Canine Malignant Lymphoma:
Canine Lymphoma: Protocols For 2004
Gregory K. Ogilvie, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine, Oncology)
CVS Angel Care Cancer Center
San Marcos, CA, USA
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