Chemotherapy For Canine Lymphoma (Canine Lymphoma)

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Canine Lymphoma

Lymphoma is usually discovered when a lump is found in one of the lymph nodes. A biopsy will be performed and, if the diagnosis is lymphoma, the condition will then be staged. A level of one through five is assigned to the progress of the disease. Additional tests may be required to accurately stage the cancer, and these tests will determine the course of treatment. Its most advanced stage (five) is considered end-stage and does not usually respond to chemotherapy.

Because they receive smaller doses, dogs do not suffer the same degree of chemotherapy side effects that humans do. Additionally, chemotherapy treatments have become more targeted and advanced, allowing for better results with fewer side effects.

Nausea, lethargy and infections are the most common side effects of chemotherapy treatments. Your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics and anti-nausea medications if these symptoms appear. Some breeds--poodles, lhasa apsos and shih tzus in particular--may lose hair. After treatment, the coat will grow back.

Canine Lymphoma

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Treatment Options For Canine Lymphoma (Canine Lymphoma)

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Canine Lymphoma

Canine Lymphoma has a very high remission rate, however, there is a much lower chance of survival without proper treatment. Without any form of treatment, the average survival rate for a dog after diagnosis is about two months.

With a combination of anti-cancer medication, as well as intensive chemotherapy, the survival rate for a dog suffering from lymphoma can be increased to 60-90%.

There are many treatment options available, each with its own risks and benefits. The most effective treatment is a combination of all or several of these treatment types.

1. Chemotherapy
This is the most common, and most effective treatment for canine lymphoma.
Chemotherapy generally refers to the treatment of cancer with powerful drugs that kill cells. These drugs are used to kill the cancer cells, but can harm healthy cells as well (which causes the side effects associated with this treatment). Combination chemotherapy usually involves chemotherapy drugs in addition to radiation treatment, which is usually the most effective against canine lymphoma.

The chemotherapy process for dogs is slightly less intensive than chemotherapy in humans, since the dosage ratio of the cell-killing drugs is much lower.

The veterinarian responsible for selecting chemotherapy drugs that will best help your dog is called an oncologist. Certain chemotherapy drugs are used for each type of cancer, and an oncologist is responsible for choosing the drugs that will have the lowest toxicity rate for your dog's healthy cells.

2. Immune System Booster
Treating your dog with an immune booster in addition to chemotherapy treatments is a good way to further increase your dog's survival rate. Most immune boosters include glyconutrients, which are required for healthy immune system function in canines.

3. Proper Nutrition
With a systemic cancer like lymphoma, proper nutrition is extremely important in increasing your dog's odds of survival. According to veterinary studies, dog foods that are high in carbohydrates “feed” the cancer, causing visible acceleration of the tumor's progression.

Dog foods that are high in protein are said to "starve" the cancer, while providing good support for your dog's healthy systems.
Dog food that is enriched in Omega 3 fatty acids has proven especially effective against canine lymphoma.

4. Surgery
In some cases, surgery to remove the malignant lymphoma tumor is suggested for a treatment option. Surgery is usually used in combination with chemotherapy, and is generally only suggested if the tumor is extremely large or is endangering vital organs. Fatal complications can arise with a surgical removal of a tumor, especially if a portion of the endangered organ is also removed.

Canine Lymphoma

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