Tips For Taking Care of Your Dog While Suffering Canine Lymphoma

It will be a difficult time for you and your dog if your dog has been diagnosed with lymphoma and is undergoing canine lymphoma care. But it's important to remain positive and enjoy as much as you can with your dog every day. Dogs are really sensitive, and this may evoke a similar emotional reaction from them if they feel like you're down and upset. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to please your dog, and they will still have a decent quality of life even in such unfortunate circumstances. Any quick steps you should take to help ensure the best possible result when coping with a diagnosis of canine lymphoma are as follows: 

Speak to the veterinarian

Keep in good contact with your veterinarian and/or veterinary oncology specialist first and foremost. Not only is it vital to ensure you are staying on top of your job to help your pup's care, but veterinarians can be a great source of relief in what can be a very stressful period. They will reassure you that your loved one receives the best possible care and can also help you understand during the treatment of canine lymphoma what to expect from your dog.

Train your dog according to your instructions

When your dog is treated for canine lymphoma and faces an uncertain future, you may tend to stay with them at home so you can keep them happy and enjoy them all the time. Exercise, however is beneficial for dogs in general and can benefit cancer staff. A type and amount of exercise to help your dog remain so healthy as possible during care is recommended by your veterinarian. Furthermore, it's nice to walk outdoors, or play with your dog, as a workout, as a stress reliever.

Keep alert and watchful

As we note in our blog the signs of dog distress, dogs rarely "complain" anything other than crying sometimes to go out or to starve. It is also necessary to remain alert and notice changes in everyday habits and patterns for your dog and notify your veterinarian of any unwanted findings. Sometimes these subtle changes will give you a sense of how the lymphoma and/or the medication cause your dog distress or pain. To identify early signs of pain will enhance the prognosis and care approach for your veterinarian and help to make your dog easy.

Feed as much as your veterinarian tolerates and approves 

The appetite of your dog can differ significantly during canine lymphoma treatment. Make the most of your hungry times and feed them as much as they eat (with the permission of your veterinarian, of course). Dogs that fight cancer must be well nurtured to preserve their strength. But don't abandon your route to make them feed, or make any drastic adjustments to their normal diets—such as "people food" in their bowl—if you haven't done so before, unless your veterinarian suggests it.

Mobility help

Treatment for any severe illnesses such as canine lymphoma, will cause your dog's weakness. It may make getting into and out of the vehicle, ascending stairs or even standing in some cases difficult for them. Speak to your doctor about the correct and safest approaches to support your pet with mobility. Be alert and polite regardless of the tool you use. For most dogs, the inability to do things by yourself is a new and familiar experience.

Limit improvements to their home atmosphere

 

Although dogs can adjust over time to changes in their environment, try to limit any significant changes to your home and its environment. Since they are still experiencing some lymphoma-related unfamiliarity and any care they are undergoing, sticking as much as possible to their usual home/environment routines will help keep additional stress to a minimum. Moving homes also can be very stressful for your dog, and yourself.

Find some opportunities to enjoy fun together 

Ideally, the treatment of cancer would help put dogs in remission for as long as possible. The truth, however is that you don't know how long you'll have with them. Take the time to do some of the "special occasion" things they enjoy. They love walking the trail. Go for a drive with the windows down. Have a gentle playdate with their favorite furry friend. It will be a good experience for you to watch them have fun as well.

Keep positive and motivating

 

Dogs are animals who are really intuitive, and they can sense your mood. Although keeping your spirits up when your dog faces a serious health problem can be hard, do your best to maintain an optimistic attitude, as during their dog lymphoma treatments, that will have a positive impact on them. Dogs are people-pleasers, and your encouragement can give them the energy they need to make it through tough times. 

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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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Company Pursues First Lymphoma Drug for Dogs

An anti-cancer drug originally developed for use in people is in the hands of a veterinary pharmaceutical startup that aims to make it available for dogs within two years. 

Veterinary Emerging Technologies Development Corporation, or VetDC, announced recently that it has raised $1.5 million to develop an agent it calls VDC-1101 into what could be the first drug specifically designed to combat canine lymphoma. 

Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs and highly deadly.   

“Anything new that has the potential to enhance quality of life and improve the disease-free interval is a blessing,” said Dr. Greg Ogilvie, an oncologist and director of the Angel Care Cancer Center at California Veterinary Specialists in Carlsbad. 

Ogilvie, who is not associated with VetDC, said he sees about 300 cases of lymphoma per year. “Lymphoma is not just one disease but many different diseases,” he explained. “Without therapy, the average dog lives one or two or three months. If treated appropriately, they have a chance of doing well for up to a year.” 

Only two cancer therapies are available in the United States specifically for use in dogs, and neither combats lymphoma. Palladia in 2009 became the first canine cancer drug to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is designed to treat skin-based mast cell tumors. 

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture granted full licensure for Oncept, a DNA vaccine to treat oral melanoma in dogs.

All other cancer drugs used in veterinary medicine originally were developed for use in humans and are not approved for use in other animals, according to the FDA. Although not specifically approved for use in veterinary patients, the “extra-label” use of human oncology medicines is permitted under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994. 

In a twist on the theme, VetDC aspires to develop for veterinary use treatments, tests and devices researched for use in people but abandoned, according to a company profile in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News .  

  

VetDC was launched in 2010. A year later, it acquired a license from Gilead Sciences, Inc., for GS-9219, an investigational molecule that selectively targets and kills cancerous lymphoma cells. VetDC renamed the agent VDC-1101. 

Steven J. Roy, president and CEO of VetDC, said in an interview that Gilead stopped pursuing development because the drug didn't meet the company’s expectations for human use. 

"They did a large amount of testing in dogs with lymphoma before going into human trials,” Roy said. “They demonstrated an 80 percent response rate and showed tremendous promise, but they were a human company and not looking to make a veterinary medicine."   

He added: "Vets hope to manage cancer like they do on human side, and treat it like a chronic disease where you can keep cancer at bay much longer. Hopefully, we can manage this in a way to give a pet four or five years instead of several months."  

Roy said he hopes the drug will be available within a couple of years.

Ogilvie, the clinical oncologist, said data on the prospective drug are encouraging. “We hope it will result in survival times suggested by the manufacturer. They suggest a 50 percent increase in survival. We are really hoping that will be true,” he said. “It's just going to ... take a while to get a good, clear understanding of the true benefit of it.” 

Source: http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=25533

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Blood Test for Canine Lymphoma may also help people

U.K.-based Petscreen has developed a blood test that detects early stage lymphosarcoma in dogs using biomarkers. The company found the test may also benefit human patients and is developing a similar screening process for people. The test won’t be available for humans for at least three to five years.

Petscreen has already launched a test to diagnose lymphoma in dogs and the business, which has won almost £100,000 of government-backed funding for its research, is now developing a simple blood test to determine if a human has early-stage lymphoma.

Their test uses biomarkers – a marker found in blood or urine that changes when a certain disease is present – to detect the cancer.

“What we’re looking for are proteins that can be easily detected in a non-invasive way, ie just from a simple blood sample which would then indicate the presence of a tumour. You want to be able to pick up the tumour early, confidently and non-invasively,” said Kevin Slater, Petscreen’s chief executive.

“The holy grail is to try to make these tests specific,” he added. Petscreen achieves this, said Dr Slater, by using an algorithm to measure a number of different biomarkers.

Through their research to develop the canine test, he added that “almost by serendipity”, Petscreen discovered that a similar test could be applied in humans.

With a £99,000 grant from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), Petscreen last month began trialling its method in 100 patients with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Petscreen’s initial trial will take a year and any human test could take three to five years to get to market. If successful, it could simplify and speed up diagnosis, as well as monitor remission. Currently, lymphoma – the sixth-commonest form of cancer in Britain – is diagnosed through a biopsy and scan.

Petscreen was established in 2004 by Dr Slater, along with Graeme Radcliffe, a former journalist, after the pair met at a cricket match.

Dr Slater said the TSB funding will help Petscreen develop a ‘proof of concept’ and the business will later need further investment or a partnership with a major pharmaceutical company.

Source: www.animalhealthfoundation.net

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New Joint Venture Launches Canine Lymphoma Test

A new canine lymphoma diagnostic kit can differentiate patients with lymphadenopathy due to lymphoma from ones with lymphadenopathy due to other ailments, such as lymphoid hyperplasia.

The Tri-Screen Canine Lymphoma Assay Kit is the first product to be offered by Tri-Screen—a new joint venture between Ireland-based animal diagnostic technology firm Tridelta Development Ltd. and animal cancer test developer Petscreen Ltd. of the U.K.

Petscreen developed the Advanced Lymphoma Blood Test on which the kit is based. The test combines relative values of the acute phase proteins haptoglobin and C-reactive protein in a patient’s blood serum into an analytical algorithm to determine if a patient’s lymphadenopathy is due to lymphoma or another ailment.

Canine Lymphoma Test

Petscreen enlisted support from veterinarians in the U.S. and the U.K. to test the method on samples from 194 canine patients with lymphoma, diseases with similar presentation to lymphoma, and healthy dogs.

Petscreen said it partnered with Tridelta because of the company’s reputation and experience with the international pharmaceutical industry in the niche sector of manufacturing and marketing acute phase protein diagnostic kits.

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Dealing with Canine Lymphoma

Chemotherapy is extremely efficient in treating canine lymphoma. Most efficient are multi-agent chemotherapy regimens that utilize a mixture of drugs. There have been much more accomplishment with this program than with therapy utilizing only just one drug.

Eighty % of canines that obtain multi-agent chemotherapy regimens go right into a year-long remission. although it is feasible for them to expertise a 2nd remission, it is normally not as prolonged since the primary one. As some from the cancer tissue will produce a resistance towards the primary circular of prescription drugs used, there are heading to be a have to discover the proper program of prescription drugs for that 2nd remission to work. this can be accomplished by easy trial and error. It ought to be noted that even although the multi-agent program raises the dog’s existence span, they are much more high-priced and toxic than solo medicine regimens.

How profitable the chemotherapy therapy is is dependent upon exactly where the tumor is located, what phase the cancer is in, and how wholesome the puppy is once the cancer is diagnosed. Lymphoma from the bone marrow or even the thymus lower probabilities for any remission. canines that aren’t exhibiting any indications that include diarrhea and vomiting and appear to really feel properly in the preliminary diagnosis appear to respond far better to chemotherapy. part outcomes of chemotherapy in canines are typically minimal and mild. These might consist of deprivation of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting and lower blood vessels mobile count.

Prednisone, a sort of corticosteroid, can offer as very much as two to three weeks remission. This technique is utilized once the puppy is not a superb applicant for chemotherapy or even the proprietor cannot afford the cost of it. This essentially tends to make the dog’s remaining time much more comfortable.

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When The Diagnosis is Canine Cancer … (Canine Lymphoma)

Canine lymphoma is the most common form of cancer in dogs. It can initally be limited to one organ or can spread throughout the body. Many parts of the body contain lymphatic tissue, and the disease can appear in different forms.

The most common target organs are primarily the lymph nodes, followed by the liver and spleen. The disease can also affect the gastrointestinal tract and, rarely, the eyes or skin.

Middle-aged dogs are most at risk, often after the age of 7 or 8.

Some breeds are more commonly affected, with the golden retriever, pit bull, Rottweiler, beagle and boxer often victims of lymphoma. In the golden retriever, there appears to be a specific inheritance pattern, although it is not yet completely clear.

In the common form, a dog has a poor appetite, feels “off,” and often has swellings that feel large and firm, especially in the neck, hind legs, groin and under the arms. These are large lymph nodes, and the doctor will usually take samples of these to send to the laboratory. In the gastrointestinal form, the patient can present with diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss or loss of appetite.

This disease is often very quick to spread and cause organ failure. The typical course from diagnosis to severe illness and death is often measured in months. In years past, we were unable to offer much more than cortisone tablets in an effort to make the patient comfortable for a short period of time. With the advent of chemotherapy, many owners choose to consult with a cancer specialist, or veterinary oncologist, to discuss options. Chemotherapy can be very effective at putting the disease into remission, sometimes for a long period of time, often without severe side effects.

If you should ever suspect that your dog might be affected by this disease, be sure to consult with your veterinarian. Often there is much we can do to be of help to you and your pet.

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A New Treatment for Canine Lymphoma? (Canine Lymphoma)

Canine Lymphoma

Researchers at the University of Illinois are testing a new lymphoma treatment for dogs. This new drug acts on a specific enzyme called procaspase-3 that causes cancer cells to die. Many cancers in humans and animals contain high levels of procaspase-3, which means this drug could be a target for cancers in both animals and humans.

While testing this new compound, called PAC-1, in dogs, researchers discovered it made their brain cells more excitable by binding to zinc. To offset this undesirable effect, they modified PAC-1 so that this is no longer a problem. This new lymphoma treatment for seems to have few risks or side effects.

Unfortunately, this treatment for dog lymphoma needs further testing and may not be approved by the FDA for several years. In the meantime, chemotherapy, using already approved cancer drugs, remains the standard treatment approach. Not all dogs respond to chemotherapy for canine lymphoma – especially if the diagnosis is made too late.

Canine Lymphoma

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Homeopathic Remedies For Canine Lymphoma

Canine Lymphoma

Although the primary treatment for Canine Lymphoma is chemotherapy, natural remedies can be quite beneficial and are recommended to help boost your dog's immune system.

Herbs
EchinaceaRed clover, burdock root, milk thistle, dandelion, astragalus and echinacea are immune boosting herbs, and many of them promote the removal of wastes from the kidneys and liver, which increases immune function and keeps your dog healthy while undergoing more conventional treatments like chemotherapy. These herbs should be dried and given orally to your dog.

Diet

Diet is another important factor in aiding your dog's battle with Lymphoma. Dogs diagnosed with Lymphoma should eat an organic raw diet or a specific cancer diet that consists of low carbohydrates and high fat intake. A small intake of complex carbohydrates and rapidly absorbed sugars along with moderate amounts of high quality proteins and high intake of unsaturated fats is recommended. The unsaturated fats should be Omega-3 fatty acids like those contained in flax seed oil and not Omega-6 fatty acids, which increase cancer growth. The only risk associated with the high fat diet is pancreatitis, which can develop in some breeds. Monitor your dog for any problems or ask your veterinarian beforehand if she knows whether your dog is susceptible to pancreatitis.

Canine Lymphoma

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Prednisone For Canine Cancer (Canine Lymphoma)

Canine Lymphoma

Dogs develop some cancers at very high rates, according to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M. Although sometimes used for other types of cancer, lymphoma and mast cell tumors are the cancers most likely to include prednisone as part of treatment.

Prednisone
Prednisone is part of glucocorticoids class of hormones. It is used for its anti-inflammatory ability, according to Wendy C. Brooks, D.V.M.

Side Effects
Prednisone side effects include excessive thirst and urination, latent bladder infection, gastro-intestinal problems and increased blood sugar levels and appetite. If prednisone is stopped abruptly, it can cause problems related to shutting off of your dog's natural corticosteroid production, according to Brooks.

Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a malignant cancer resulting in tumors that grow in your dog's organs. Prednisone use for lymphoma is usually in conjunction with chemotherapy drugs depending on the protocol used, according to Vetinfo. Prednisone may be used alone to control symptoms and short-term remission.

MCTs
Mast cell tumors is cancer that affects the mast cells. The tumors cause the cells to release chemicals that damage the body, according to the Canine Cancer Website. Surgery to remove the tumor is preferred. Prednisone is the preferred treatment for high-grade tumors, with or without chemotherapy.

Purpose
Prednisone does not cure cancer. It may help your dog go into remission, decrease cancer symptoms and improve chemotherapy drug response.

Warning
Do not use with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to avoid gastro-intestinal bleeding.

Source: eHow.com

Canine Lymphoma

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