🐾 Understanding Canine Lymphoma: A Complete Guide for Dog Owners

📌 What Is Lymphoma in Dogs?

• Definition: Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that help fight infection merckvetmanual.com vcahospitals.com.

• Where it occurs: Because lymphocytes travel throughout the body, lymphoma can appear in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, intestines, skin, or chest akc.org webmd.com.

• Prevalence: It accounts for 15–20% of all canine cancers and is most common in middle-aged to older dogs vcahospitals.com.

• Types:

• Multicentric lymphoma – affects multiple lymph nodes (most common).

• Alimentary lymphoma – affects the intestines.

• Mediastinal lymphoma – affects lymph nodes in the chest.

• Extranodal lymphoma – affects organs like skin, kidneys, or eyes akc.org webmd.com.

🐕 Symptoms Owners Should Watch For

• Swollen lymph nodes (under jaw, behind knees, armpits, groin) dogcanceracademy.org

• Weight loss and loss of appetite akc.org dogcanceracademy.org

• Lethargy and weakness dogcanceracademy.org

• Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain (if intestines are involved) akc.org

• Coughing or breathing difficulty (if chest is involved) webmd.com

• Skin lesions – scaly patches, nodules, or sores (cutaneous lymphoma) dogcanceracademy.org

👉 These signs are often painless, which is why lymphoma can sneak up unnoticed.

🩺 How Lymphoma Is Diagnosed

Veterinarians use several tests:

• Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA): A quick test where cells are taken from a lymph node and examined under a microscope vcahospitals.com akc.org.

• Biopsy: A tissue sample is surgically removed for detailed analysis merckvetmanual.com vcahospitals.com.

• Bloodwork & Imaging: To check organ function and spread akc.org.

• Immunophenotyping: Determines if the cancer is B-cell or T-cell, which affects prognosis vcahospitals.com.

• Staging: Ranges from Stage I (single lymph node) to Stage V (bone marrow or multiple organs) akc.org webmd.com.

💉 Conventional Treatments

1. CHOP Protocol

• What it is: A multi-drug chemotherapy regimen using Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisone imprimedicine.com.

• Effectiveness: Considered the gold standard, with remission rates of 50–95% imprimedicine.com.

• Duration: Usually 19–25 weeks of treatment uwveterinarycare.wisc.edu.

• Side effects: Dogs tolerate chemo better than humans. Mild vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite may occur imprimedicine.com bsavalibrary.com.

2. Lomustine (CCNU)

• What it is: An oral chemotherapy drug often used for cutaneous lymphoma or as a rescue therapy when CHOP stops working thevetiverse.com vin.com.

• Dosage: Typically given every 3–6 weeks vin.com.

• Side effects: Can cause liver toxicity, so vets often prescribe liver support supplements like Denamarin thevetiverse.com.

3. Other Options

• Prednisone alone: Provides temporary relief but only extends life by weeks vcahospitals.com.

• Radiation therapy: Used for localized lymphoma amcny.org.

• New drugs: Rabacfosadine (Tanovea) is FDA-approved for canine lymphoma thevetiverse.com.

🌱 Integrative & Holistic Care

While chemotherapy is the backbone of treatment, integrative care can help dogs live longer and feel better.

Nutrition

• Low-carb diets: Cancer cells thrive on sugar, so reducing carbs may help barfworld.com.

• High-quality protein: Supports muscle mass and immune function barfworld.com.

• Healthy fats: Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil reduce inflammation veterinarysecrets.com barfworld.com.

Natural Supplements

• Medicinal mushrooms (Reishi, Turkey Tail): Boost immune system veterinarysecrets.com.

• Dandelion root: Studied for blood cancers like lymphoma veterinarysecrets.com.

• CBD oil: Helps with pain, appetite, and possibly cancer cell suppression veterinarysecrets.com.

• Antioxidants (Vitamin C, E, green tea extract): Support cellular health veterinarysecrets.com.

• Melatonin: Helps regulate sleep and acts as an antioxidant veterinarysecrets.com.

Supportive Care

• Probiotics: Aid digestion during chemo thevetiverse.com.

• Liver support (milk thistle, Denamarin): Protects against lomustine toxicity thevetiverse.com.

• Hydration & gentle exercise: Maintain energy and comfort.

🐾 Quality of Life Considerations

• Remission vs. Cure: Lymphoma is rarely cured, but remission can give dogs months to years of good life thevetiverse.com.

• Average survival:

• No treatment: 1–2 months vcahospitals.com

• Prednisone only: 4–6 weeks vcahospitals.com

• CHOP protocol: 12–18 months imprimedicine.com thevetiverse.com

• Lomustine: 3–6 months (sometimes longer) vin.com avmajournals.avma.org

• Comfort care: Even when cure isn’t possible, integrative support can make a dog’s remaining time joyful.

📝 Final Thoughts

Lymphoma in dogs is a serious but manageable cancer. With early diagnosis, effective chemotherapy protocols like CHOP or lomustine, and integrative care using nutrition and supplements, many dogs can enjoy extended survival and a better quality of life.

As a dog parent, your role is to:

• Watch for early signs.

• Work closely with your vet and possibly a veterinary oncologist.

• Support your dog with good nutrition, supplements, and lots of love.