This month, Mount Carmel Animal Hospital wants to expand the word about National Pet Cancer Awareness Month.
Cancer is the primary disease-related cause of death among domestic canines and felines in the United States, particularly lymphoma. So, this month, Mount Carmel Animal Hospital wants to expand the word about National Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Since lymphoma in pets is the most common type of cancer that affects pets, this blog will educate pet owners about how best to protect their furry family members.
What is Lymphoma in Cats?
Lymphoma is most often located in the intestines because the vaccination against the feline leukemia virus and testing for the feline leukemia virus have minimized lymphomas in the spleen, chest, thymus, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. The common areas of lymphoma in cats include:
- Intestinal lymphoma. This type of lymphoma is most prevalent in senior cats, with an average age of 9 to 13. It mostly affects the gastrointestinal tract.
- Mediastinal lymphoma. This form of lymphoma is often seen in young felines and is strongly associated with the feline leukemia virus, particularly with lymphoid organs in the chest.
- Renal lymphoma. Lymphoma in the kidney can result in signs of kidney failure because the functional kidney cells are replaced by cancer cells.
What is Lymphoma in Dogs?
There are four types of lymphoma in canines, varying in prognosis and severity:
- Multicentric (systemic) lymphoma. This is the most prevalent type of canine lymphoma, accounting for 80-85% of dog cases. All lymph nodes in the body are affected.
- Alimentary (gastrointestinal) lymphoma. This is the second most prevalent type of lymphoma, affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
- Mediastinal lymphoma. In this rare form of lymphoma, mediastinal affects the lymphoid organs in the chest.
- Extranodal lymphoma. This type of lymphoma impacts a specific organ outside of the lymphatic system. Although rare, extranodal lymphoma might develop in the eyes, skin, lungs, kidneys, or nervous system.
Signs and Symptoms
Since lymphoma in cats mostly affects the intestines, its clinical signs are similar to those of other intestinal diseases. Cats affected by lymphoma often experience weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting. In addition, appetite varies; some cats and dogs have an increased appetite, while some have a decreased appetite or no change in appetite.
Multicentric lymphoma, the most commonly seen lymphoma in dogs, will cause all the lymph nodes to be enlarged. Pet parents usually notice a “lump,” which is actually an enlarged lymph node. The most easily recognized lymph nodes, known as the submandibular lymph nodes, are found just below the jaw. The other commonly noticed lymph nodes are the popliteal nodes, which are behind the knee.
Mediastinal lymphoma occurs within the chest, often associated with respiratory difficulties. Fluid usually collects around the tumor, making it difficult for an affected feline or canine to fully inflate his or her lungs.
Kidney failure may be seen in cats or dogs with renal lymphoma. These signs often include weight loss, increased thirst, decreased appetite, and vomiting. As a result, these changes are due to a buildup of toxins in the animal’s bloodstream that the kidneys can’t filter effectively. In honor of National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, keep your eyes open for any of these signs. You just might be able to save your pet if you catch cancer early enough.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing lymphoma in cats and dogs requires finding cancerous cells on microscopic examination. Your vet also might perform bloodwork before testing for the disease to examine your pet’s overall health and dismiss other causes of your pet’s clinical signs. Sometimes, your vet may diagnose lymphoma with a fine needle aspirate by inserting it into an area of concern to eliminate a small number of cells.
However, if a fine needle aspirate is impractical or inconclusive due to the lesion’s location, your vet might conduct a surgical biopsy instead. This involves eliminating a piece of tissue from the lesion. This sample will be processed and evaluated under a microscope to examine for lymphoma in animals. Your vet might perform more testing if your furry companion is diagnosed with lymphoma to develop a treatment plan.
Treatment
Lymphoma in cats and dogs is typically treated with chemotherapy. Most cases can’t be successfully treated with radiation or surgery and will require chemotherapy. Pets tolerate chemo much better than humans because they rarely appear sick or lose their hair. The most prevalent side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. If chemotherapy is not an option because of an owner’s finances or an animal’s illness, prednisone can be used for hospice or palliative care. Even though prednisone doesn’t treat lymphoma, it can temporarily minimize clinical signs and help keep the pet comfortable for some time.
Prognosis
The prognosis for lymphoma in cats and dogs depends on the affected location, how sick the animal is at the beginning of treatment, her or his leukemia status, how quickly the disease is diagnosed and treated, and how well the pet tolerates treatment. Although lymphoma is never cured, its remission can temporarily resolve all signs of it. The average remission for low-grade lymphoma is up to 3 years, meaning up to 3 years without any signs of disease.
Regular vet checkups are critical for detecting and preventing different health issues, including lymphoma cancer. Learn more about National Pet Cancer Awareness Month to ensure your pet remains protected and healthy.
HERE AT MOUNT CARMEL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, WE’LL TREAT YOUR PETS LIKE FAMILY!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook.