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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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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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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