Lymphoma In Dogs Symptoms

It is important to learn about symptoms of lymphoma in dogs, as sadly, lymphoma is a fairly common disease for man's best friend, amounting to about twenty percent of all cancers suffered by dogs.

Generally your vet will refer to it as either lymphosarcoma, or as LSA, and dogs can develop lymphoma subtypes just like humans can, and the subtype has to do with the area of the anatomy that is the primary point for the disease. If the lymphoma is cutaneous, then the disease will be found on the dog's skin.

If the disease is affecting the liver, intestines, abdominal lymph nodes or stomach, for instance, then it is lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract (GI). Either way, it is a treatable disease, but cures are rare. Generally treatments for LSA will only last on average about 12 months before relapsing.

Symptoms of canine lymphoma

Every dog owner knows and understands their dogs' personal habits and behaviors, so any deviation from those habits and behaviors should be—it not a cause for alarm, at least a reason to pay closer attention and see if there aren't other symptoms that are occurring at the same time. Sometimes these lymphoma in dogs symptoms can only be spotted by your vet, but as an owner you must look out for them as well. The following are some symptoms:

• Swollen nodes (under the neck, in front of the shoulders, behind the knees)
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Appetite loss
• Weight loss (unexplained)
• Unexplained fevers
• Breathing that is labored
• Excessive thirst / frequent urination
• Fatigue / lethargy

No dog owner should trust themselves in assessing whether or not their beloved pet has lymphoma or not—this should be done by a trusted vet, so that treatments or decisions can be made that are right both for your dog and for you.

Sources

• CanineCancer.com, Lymphoma
• Canine Lymphoma Guide, Symptoms and Diagnosis