Prednisone Treatment for Canine Lymphoma

Lymphoma in dogs or canines is a kind of cancer described by a proliferation of malignant lymphocytes within solid body parts such as the lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver and spleen. The most common presentation of lymphoma in dogs is peripheral lymph node enlargement, in an otherwise healthy dog. This kind of animals disease also may infect in the eye, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. The disease also known as lymphosarcoma. 

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for lymphoma in dogs. Chemotherapy treatment is considered the gold standard for this aggressive form of cancer and usually consists of a combination of oral and injectable drugs given on a frequent basis. The exact treatment protocol will vary depending on the veterinarian and financial resources of the dog's family.

Prednisone Treatment for Canine Lymphoma

Prednisone therapy is the other dog lymphoma treatment. Prednisone is one of the most widely prescribed drugs in veterinary medicine, and also one of the most controversial. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can kill tumor cells. However, it is not as effective as chemotherapy for treating lymphoma in dogs. Prednisone is primarily used to manage symptoms of the disease.  Prednisone at high doses is extremely immune suppressive, making it a key drug in the treatment of a wide variety of inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases.

There are several side effects of Prednisone treatment.

a) The most common side effects associated with prednisone treatment consist of increased urination and thirst, increased hunger and weight gain, and panting. 

b) Muscle wasting, which can result in severe hind limb weakness, decreased stamina and perceived decrease in quality of life despite the patient achieving complete remission of the lymphoma.

c) Changes in behavior: Prednisone use also results in dogs becoming restless and even aggressive.

d) Loss of hair and changes in coat: Hair loss is a frequent side effect of using prednisone on dogs. In some cases, not only does the dog's coat become thinner, the healthy sheen also disappears. Some dogs will also develop hard to heal skin infections.

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Canine Lymphoma Treatment Cost

Canine lymphoma is defined as the presence of malignant tumors in the above listed organs of your dog. Typical untreated life expectancy of a dog with lymphoma is usually nine to twelve months. However, it isn’t very difficult to force canine lymphoma into remission, allowing a much longer and happier life for you and your dog together. Like human forms of cancer, canine lymphoma travels (metastasizes) quickly and causes death in the same manner, it causes the internal organs to fail and shut down, at which time death occurs. Just like in humans, stress can increase the rapidity of the spread of lymphoma in dogs.

The initial visit and tests, along with setting up the treatment plan with your vet will probably cost around $200. If surgery is used, that will cost around $1,500. Chemotherapy can cost in the area of $2,000 for three to six months of treatment. Radiation therapy, if used, can cost between $2,000 and $6,000. These costs can be significantly defrayed by purchasing a canine health insurance policy before your dog is diagnosed with cancer.

Canine lymphoma, if caught at an early stage, has a very high rate of remission and treatment success.

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T-Cell Lymphoma in Dogs

T-cell lymphoma in dogs, also known as canine lymphosarcoma, is a type of malignant cancer that attacks white blood cells known as T-cells. The disease usually begins in the lymph system or in the bone marrow, and it will eventually spread to the rest of the body if not treated.

Symptoms

Symptoms of T-cell lymphoma in dogs vary depending on which organ systems the cancer has spread to first. In most cases, the first sign of this disease is a swollen lymph node, which may grow to such an extent that the dog’s owner notices it through touch. T-cell lymphoma may also cause small tumors on the skin (normally around the chest or leg areas) or in the mouth. Additional symptoms of this disease include: loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, depression, fever, weakness, abdominal pain and weight loss.

Diagnosis

The most definitive diagnosis of canine lymphosarcoma is obtained through a microscopic examination of lymph tissue. The tissue is obtained through a biopsy, which is collected while the dog is sedated. Microscopic evaluation of the tissue will determine whether the dog’s symptoms are caused by canine lymphosarcoma or another type of condition (such as leukemia), and the evaluation will identify if the cancer is T-cell lymphosarcoma or B-cell lymphosarcoma.

Treatment

Chemotherapy treatments administered through intravenous routes are the most effective treatments for T-cell lymphoma in dogs. These treatments are given on a weekly basis for approximately 6 weeks and then reduced to every two weeks and then to every three weeks. Dogs tolerate chemotherapy very well and usually do not experience the side effects that are associated with chemotherapy treatments in people.

Prognosis

Canine T-cell lymphoma has a poorer prognosis than B-cell lymphoma cases, but with both of these cancers, dogs do not usually live longer than two years after their diagnosis. Dogs with T-cell lymphoma tend to have less of a response to chemotherapy treatments and a shorter remission period. However, if the disease is caught in the early stages, a dog’s chances of extended survival are much better; for this reason, it is important to see your veterinarian immediately if you notice any unusual lumps on your dog or additional symptoms associated with this disease.

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