The 4 Types of Lymphoma in Dogs Explained

If your dog has just been diagnosed with lymphoma, we understand how scared you may be. A lymphoma diagnosis in your dog may leave you with so much uncertainty about the future. You’ve no doubt found yourself turning to the internet for advice. We want to make sure you have accurate information about canine lymphoma; we will break down everything you need to know below.

We will cover the types of lymphoma, the symptoms, and the general prognosis of this cancer in our canine friends.

What Is Canine Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a cancer in dogs that impacts the lymphatic system, and this involves many regions of the body.

The canine lymphatic system includes the spleen, the lymph nodes, the tonsils, and the lymphatic vessels. Each part of the lymphatic system plays a role in the body’s immune response. This includes moving fluids throughout the body. Because of this, canine lymphoma can spread to many regions.

Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers found in our canine companions. While it can develop in any type of dog, there are a few breeds that appear to be more susceptible. Breeds that seem to develop canine lymphoma the most include golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, basset hounds, boxers, and Saint Bernards.

How Do Dogs Get Lymphoma?

Unfortunately, there is no set cause of canine lymphoma. It’s rare to pinpoint the exact cause of any form of cancer in animals or humans, and lymphoma in dogs is no different. While there does appear to be some type of genetic link, research on canine lymphoma is still ongoing.

Now that you have a better understanding of lymphoma in dogs is, it’s time to discuss the four types. While each of these forms are the same type of cancer, they impact different parts of the body, and often have a different prognosis because of it.

Let’s break it all down.

Multicentric Canine Lymphoma

Multicentric lymphoma is the most common form of canine lymphoma. It makes up about 80% of all lymphoma cases in dogs. This form of canine lymphoma invades the dog’s lymph nodes. While it can invade any lymph node in the body, it most commonly effects nodes in the neck, groin, chest, armpits, and behind the knees.

Alimentary Canine Lymphoma

Alimentary lymphoma is the second most common form of lymphoma in dogs. This form of cancer invades the lymph nodes in the gastrointestinal tract specifically. This includes the stomach, the small and large intestine, and the rectum.

Mediastinal Canine Lymphoma

Mediastinal lymphoma is not as common in dogs as it is cats, but it is seen in some unlucky canines. This lymphoma invades the lymph nodes within the dog’s chest. It often leads to a large mass in the chest and severe breathing complications.

Extranodal Canine Lymphoma

Extranodal lymphoma is extremely rare in dogs, but it can occur from time to time. This form of lymphoma invades organs outside of the lymphatic system. This can occur in the skin, lungs, and the kidneys.

Symptoms of Lymphoma in Dogs

As we’ve discussed above, canine lymphoma can impact many regions throughout the body. Because of this, a dog’s lymphoma symptoms can vary based on the form of lymphoma they have. Below, we list the most common symptoms with canine lymphoma. But keep in mind that each form of cancer could have unique symptoms.

• Decreased appetite or not eating at all
• Weight loss
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, groin, and behind the knees
• Lethargy and weakness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea, often chronic
• Increased thirst
• Increased need to urinate
• Chronic coughing
• Breathing changes such as labored or rapid breathing
• Persistent fever

It’s important to know that dogs may experience these symptoms in varying degrees based on how advanced their lymphoma is. It’s important to lookout for these symptoms, and to monitor their changes closely.

The symptoms listed above are not linked with lymphoma alone, but it’s best to have your dog assessed by a vet if they experience them.

Can You Treat Lymphoma in Dogs?

If your dog has just been diagnosed with lymphoma, you are likely wondering if there are any treatment options available. While your vet will discuss the best treatment options based on your dog’s specific form of lymphoma, we break down the most common treatments below.

Chemotherapy

Because lymphoma can easily spread throughout the body, chemotherapy is often the go to when it comes to treatment. Chemotherapy can reach every region throughout a dog’s body, so it’s much more effective than targeted treatment routes.

While chemotherapy is the most common treatment option for canine lymphoma, we realize that many pet parents have their guards up when it comes to chemotherapy. This is likely due to how harsh chemotherapy is on the human body. We never want our pets to experience that kind of suffering. However, thankfully for our furry friends, chemotherapy is well tolerated in dogs. Side effects are typically not as severe in dogs as they are humans. In fact, most dogs will just experience mild GI upset.

We should also mention that while dogs may find temporary relief or remission from their lymphoma through chemotherapy, it’s important to realize that the cancer will eventually win in most cases. Lymphoma is a highly metastatic (spreads to other parts of the body) disease. So, some of the cancer cells will likely persist. Even if they finish their chemotherapy treatment, they will likely develop lymphoma again down the line. This typically happens anywhere from six months to one year after treatment.

If you are unable to pursue chemotherapy for any reason, your vet may prescribe steroids. Steroids are not a curative option for lymphoma, but they can help to ease your dog’s symptoms to prolong their quality of life. This is a palliative care method.

What Is the Life Expectancy of Canine Lymphoma?

The most common question asked by pet parents of a dog with lymphoma is “how long will my dog with lymphoma live?” Not only do you want to know how much time you will have with your beloved companion, but you will also want to know when to lookout for any suffering in their disease.

While every dog with lymphoma will have a different survival rate, there are a couple averages to be aware of. If you pursue chemotherapy for your dog with lymphoma, then their life expectancy is anywhere from eight to 12 months. However, if you are unable to offer chemotherapy for any reason, their life expectancy is anywhere from four to eight weeks.

The time frames we offered above are the averages. It’s important to speak with your vet in detail about what they expect for your dog. Every situation will vary, and your veterinarian will have the most accurate numbers to offer you.

Final Thoughts

We understand how worried you are about your baby, and understanding the details of their condition is always helpful. Be sure to review the information we discussed above about the different types of canine lymphoma. You’ll have a better understanding of what lies ahead for your canine companion.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/shironosov